Replica of refueling car added to airplane display at Yuma City Hall

Exactly 63 years after the City of Yuma airplane remained airborne for a record-setting 1,124 hours, a dedication will be held at Yuma City Hall where the historic aircraft is now on display.

Having adorned the City Hall lobby for several months, the airplane is now part of a full display commemorating the 1949 endurance flight — making it all ready for an official dedication at 3 p.m. Oct. 10.

The display also includes audio/video presentations, a kiosk teaching visitors about the flight and its significance to Yuma, and a 3-D wall hanging illustrating a refueling run.

And for the occasion of the dedication, a car much like the 1948 Super Buick convertible that served as the refueling car for the flight is on loan to the city for a couple of weeks. The car, owned by George and Shirley Murdock, was driven into City Hall Wednesday morning and parked in the shadow of the plane on display overhead.

Shirley Murdock is the sister of Bob Woodhouse, who with Woody Jongeward piloted the aircraft during the endurance flight undertaken by the Yuma Jaycees to spotlight the area's year-round perfect flying weather.

Yuma Jaycees, surviving participants in the historic flight and their families, as well as visiting dignitaries from the city, county, state and federal levels, have been invited to the dedication.

The event is also open to the public, but seating in the lobby will be limited. The seating area closest to the stage will be reserved for dignitaries. Remaining floor seats and seating in the Council Chambers, where the ceremony will be shown via closed-circuit video, will be open on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Those attending are asked to park in the city's employee parking lot south of Giss Parkway, not in the usual visitor lot on the north side of City Hall. Volunteers will direct guests to the front of the building. Some cart transportation from the parking lot to the main entrance will be available.

Members of the public who cannot attend may watch the proceedings on City 73 TV, the city's channel on Time Warner Cable.

City Hall will close for business that day, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m. Customers will be directed to the city's website for bill payment, Parks and Recreation registration and other information.