On show in the Hall

Alan Puckett Harley Davidson Sportster

Until 31 August 2008. The Hall. Free.

We were sick of being slaves to the ad business so we dropped out and started custom painting Harleys and surfie Vans. Wonderful!
Alan Puckett, 1998

This specially painted Harley Davidson motorbike is featured in the Eternity gallery, which brings to life the personal stories of 50 ordinary and extraordinary Australians.

Alan Puckett, an artist with a passion for custom-painting motorbikes and cars, was commissioned to paint the bike for Eternity. The theme was passion and he chose to paint the petrol tank, side cover and mudguard red with roses and butterflies.

During the National Museum's gallery development program, Eternity will be temporarily closed. Our conservation team will take this opportunity to carry out maintenance on the motorbike.

Come and see the team at work on the bike on 29 and 30 August 2008. Visit the online Calendar for more details.

Charles Kingsford Smith and the first trans-Pacific flight, 1928

Until 21 August 2008. The Hall. Free.

In 1928 two Australians, Charles Kingsford Smith ('Smithy') and Charles Ulm, became the first to make the 11,585 kilometre trans-Pacific flight from California to Australia. At that time it took 83 hours and 15 minutes. Today it only takes 14 hours.

To mark the 80th anniversary of the first trans-Pacific flight, this display features historical images, a model of the Southern Cross made by Charles Kingsford Smith enthusiast Austin Byrne and a cigarette case given by Charles Ulm to Charles Kingsford Smith.

> Find out more about the history of the first trans-Pacific flight