Perhaps one of the most influential visual icons of the 20th century was the magnificent TWA Moonliner rocket that highlighted Disneyland’s Tomorrowland section from the early days of the
That was Moonliner number one, which stayed at Disneyland from 1955 to 1967, when it was dismantled for more “modern” visions of tomorrow. Few know, however, that a second Moonliner was erected just a year after the
The 22 footer was eventually rescued and restored by concerned
historian Dan Viets. It can be seen today at the National Airline
History Museum in Kansas City, MO. Read this great article at Yesterland for much more on this, including some great photos.
That’s two. The third is a reproduction of that 22 foot rocket and is shown in the photo here. It was created in 2005 as part of a full restoration of the old TWA building on which the original had stood.
The forth Moonliner, as you may know, is right where it should be– in the original Disneyland’s
Tomorrowland section. In
1998, a new 66 foot tall version of the Moonliner was erected near where
the original had stood. While it no longer bears the TWA logo, it
stands proudly over a cleaver Coca-Cola kiosk that launches Coke bottles
like rockets.
The Moonliner has been a favorite of modelers since the Strombecker styrene kit in 1958. The Strombecker kit was later produced under a different name by Glencoe and this version can often be found in online auctions. There have been a couple of paper versions for download. The ultimate, I think, is this one from The Disney Experience website (shown here). It stands 25″ tall and features fine landing gear details. This one’s a must for any Disney or spacecraft paper modeler. It makes for a great contrast piece amidst a collection of real space rockets.
More great facts about the TWA Moonliners:
Daveland: The Moonliner
Yesterland: One City, Two Moonliners
Wikipedia: TWA Moonliner
__________________
images:
Original Moonliner from selago at Flickr
New rooftop Moonliner by Americasroof
New Moonliner from randychico at Flickr
Papercraft Moonliner by Disney Experience
That’s two. The third is a reproduction of that 22 foot rocket and is shown in the photo here. It was created in 2005 as part of a full restoration of the old TWA building on which the original had stood.
The forth Moonliner, as you may know, is right where it should be– in the original Disneyland’s
Tomorrowland section. In
1998, a new 66 foot tall version of the Moonliner was erected near where
the original had stood. While it no longer bears the TWA logo, it
stands proudly over a cleaver Coca-Cola kiosk that launches Coke bottles
like rockets.The Moonliner has been a favorite of modelers since the Strombecker styrene kit in 1958. The Strombecker kit was later produced under a different name by Glencoe and this version can often be found in online auctions. There have been a couple of paper versions for download. The ultimate, I think, is this one from The Disney Experience website (shown here). It stands 25″ tall and features fine landing gear details. This one’s a must for any Disney or spacecraft paper modeler. It makes for a great contrast piece amidst a collection of real space rockets.
More great facts about the TWA Moonliners:
Daveland: The Moonliner
Yesterland: One City, Two Moonliners
Wikipedia: TWA Moonliner
__________________
images:
Original Moonliner from selago at Flickr
New rooftop Moonliner by Americasroof
New Moonliner from randychico at Flickr
Papercraft Moonliner by Disney Experience
