Aviation Plaza Commemorative Bricks

The National Museum of Transportation (TNMOT) is expanding its aviation footprint in a remarkable way. TNMOT’s growing fleet already includes a storied C-47 transport plane that carried troops and supplies during World War II; the F/A-18 E1—the very first Super Hornet ever built and the powerhouse of the U.S. Navy; and a classic T-33 trainer. In 2026, the Museum will proudly welcome a Harrier jump jet, an engineering marvel known for its revolutionary vertical/short takeoff and landing capability. The Harrier changed modern military aviation by allowing pilots to operate where traditional runways were impossible, making it one of the most versatile aircraft ever built.

While these aircraft represent aviation excellence recognized around the world, the presence of the Super Hornet E1 and a Harrier on the Museum’s campus honors a deeply local story—the extraordinary legacy of McDonnell Douglas and later Boeing, and the thousands of St. Louis-area men and women whose skill, innovation, and dedication shaped American aerospace history. We invite you to help us create a beautiful display pad and surrounding park-like setting worthy of this fleet.