Smithsonian Welcomes Legendary ‘American Spirit’ Jet Racer to its Esteemed Collection
One of the most storied aircraft in air racing history, the Aero L-39C Albatros “American Spirit”, has found its permanent home at America’s most prestigious aviation museum. The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has officially accepted this jet racer into its national collection, a generous donation from owner Ed Noel of the Noel Air Race Team (NART).
The legendary aircraft made its grand entrance into the museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, during the popular “Innovations in Flight” event on Saturday, June 13, 2026. It was then formally transferred to the museum’s permanent collection. The highly modified L-39C will go on public display at the Udvar-Hazy Center later this summer.
Ed Noel purchased the “American Spirit” in 2007 and undertook extensive modifications to optimize it for racing. These include:
- Aerodynamic refinements to the tail and wingtips
- Replacement of heavy components with lightweight materials
- Addition of a water injection system
These modifications resulted in reducing the aircraft’s weight by approximately 1,100 pounds. Between 2002 and 2024, the aircraft achieved an impressive record:
- Eight first-place finishes
- Nine top-five finishes
- Three closed-course speed records at the National Championship Air Races
“It is the greatest recognition of an aircraft’s contribution to flight, pilot’s skills and the race team’s efforts for ‘American Spirit’ to join the collection with the Wright brothers’ Flyer,” said Noel.
Source: Smithsonian Institution – National Air and Space Museum Press Release