This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Valley glider pioneer recalls magical flights in Shenandoah
Al Hulstrunk, 92, recounts helping run World War II era experimental glider tests at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park in 1937 and 1938. He describes spruce craft, 28 to 47 foot wingspans, and a bungee cord launch method with teams pulling a 60 foot cord to propel the gliders. Flights, data on temperature and pressure, and Civilian Conservation Corps aid are noted, with the war halting research.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
al Hulstrunk
Hulstrunk
Big Meadows
Shenandoah National Park
John Hulstrunk
England
Germany
Byrd Visitor Center
National Park
Civilian Conservation Corps
Halstrunk
Army
al Halstrunk
Nikki Fox
Byrd