Shelby Charter Township in Shelby Township in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Packard Takes Flight
Charles Lindbergh Visits the Proving Grounds
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
1. Packard Takes Flight: Charles Lindbergh Visits the Proving Grounds Marker
The "Master Motor Builders" at Packard
made some of the world's best engines for both automobiles and aircraft. Packard first manufactured aircraft engines during World War I and continued after that war. Packard used the nearly mile-long infield of the Proving Grounds automotive test-track as a landing strip. Engineers refined the world's first Diesel radial aircraft engine, the DR-980, in the aircraft hangar at the test track and Packard test pilots proved the engine's superior range and safety. On August 15, 1929, famous aviator Charles Lindbergh visited the Proving Grounds for a test-flight of the DR-980 in a Stinson airplane.
You Auto Know
The first flight of a fixed-wing aircraft with a diesel radial engine occurred at the Packard Proving Grounds on September 18, 1928.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 15, 1929.
Location. 42° 39.688′ N, 83° 2.273′ W. Marker is in Shelby Township, Michigan, in Macomb County. It is in Shelby Charter Township.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Extreme Testing (within shouting distance of this marker); Made for Speed (within shouting distance of this marker); In Times of War (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Quality First" (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Vincent Family (approx. 0.2 miles away); Base of Operations (approx. 0.2 miles away); Packard Proving Grounds (approx. 0.2 miles away); Packard Motor Car Company / Packard Proving Grounds (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shelby Township.
Also see . . .
1. Packard DR-980. Wikipedia article (Submitted on August 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Stinson Detroiter. Wikipedia article (Submitted on August 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Image courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
2. Packard Takes Flight: Charles Lindbergh Visits the Proving Grounds Marker - upper left image
Artwork form a company magazine of the Proving Grounds, reflecting Packard's embrace of both automotive and aviation technology.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
3. Packard Takes Flight: Charles Lindbergh Visits the Proving Grounds Marker - lower left image
In a Packard showroom in 1928, automobiles are displayed beside an airplane powered by a Packard aircraft motor.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
4. Packard Takes Flight: Charles Lindbergh Visits the Proving Grounds Marker - upper center image
World-famous aviator Charles Lindbergh riding in a Packard during a parade in his honor in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1927 after the success of his first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
5. Packard Takes Flight: Charles Lindbergh Visits the Proving Grounds Marker - lower center image
The Packard diesel radial (DR980) engine powering a Stinson Detroiter airplane at the Proving Grounds in 1929.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
6. Packard Takes Flight: Charles Lindbergh Visits the Proving Grounds Marker - right image
Packard Motor Company President Alvan Macauley with Charles Lindbergh at the Proving Grounds.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
7. Packard Takes Flight: Charles Lindbergh Visits the Proving Grounds Marker
View looking west down North Proving Grounds Boulevard. This marker is at the far right of the image.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
8. Packard Takes Flight: Charles Lindbergh Visits the Proving Grounds Marker
In the background is the Lindbergh Hangar.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 304 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
