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Pictured below are some of the many documents and artifacts that are preserved by the National Model Aviation Museum.

Robert Jessen was a very happy little boy when he received this Wen-Mac P-38 Lightening for Christmas in 1954. This plastic, RTF, Control Line model has twin Wen-Mac engines (most likely .049’s, but it is difficult to tell) and is completely intact (the missing decal from the wing is present, although not attached.

	While the original graphic sales box has been lost, the outer shipping box – complete with the shipping label to Mrs. Jess R. Jessan from Sears & Roebuck dated 11/16/1954 - has survived

The P-38 is not in mint condition, as it has several fuel stains and some ingrained dirt. While many collectors are looking for objects without these problems, museums often appreciate these signs of wear and use, as they help show that the story of the artifact and the life of its users. However, the model did need to be cleaned for preservation purposes before being placed in the collection.  The photograph above is of the model before cleaning began.	The model was cleaned using a mixture of Orvus paste soap and water, and then rinsed with clean water. Each section was thoroughly cleaned and dried using qtips and cotton rags before the next section was begun.  Each side of the center wing area was cleaned as its own section.  The photograph above was taken before the area was cleaned.
A single swipe of the q-tip generated a lot of grit and dirt.	Looking closely at this photograph, the water rinse is visible in the rows between the rivets on the front section of the wing.
The right side of the center wing section has been cleaned above, while the left has not been started.	Finally, the model is as clean as it can be using the Orvus and water solution.