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The Ford TriMotor airplane on exhibit at the Purdue Airport

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Historic plane visits Purdue

Updated: Thursday, 06 Sep 2012, 5:38 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 06 Sep 2012, 12:18 PM EDT

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue students and faculty got a glimpse of history at the Purdue Airport.

A Ford TriMotor airplane was showcased to show aviation technology students how far the industry has come.

They got the chance to go inside, look at the cockpit and even take a ride in the almost 100-year-old aircraft.

Aviation students say they're amazed at how many things have changed over the years.

"I'm sure there were a lot of safety improvements over time. We have lighter aircrafts versus a skin like this one. It shows the cool progression of the industry," said sophomore Michael Lewis.

"We've come a long way. There are steering wheels in the cockpit. I've never seen anything like that," said senior Kip Molchan.

The Ford TriMotor is the first type of aircraft flown by famous astronaut and Purdue Graduate, the late Neil Armstrong.

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