BELLEVUE, Wash., Feb. 1, 2006 -- Esterline Corporation, parent company of Leach International, unveiled the latest painting in the Leach Heritage of the Air Collection today at the Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA. Robert W. Cremin, Esterline CEO and Merv Corning, the artist, unveiled the painting at the evening reception attended by more than 500 local, state and national dignitaries. Currently, the Museum and Esterline are sponsoring an exhibition of the collection of paintings that depict vintage World War I era aircraft and events.

The new watercolor entitled, "The Launch of the Aviation Era" by Corning -- creator of 45 of the 47 paintings -- commemorates the 1903 Wright Brothers flight at Kitty Hawk, NC. Corning, in his fastidious attention to details, captures the icy rain puddles and windswept dunes of that historic morning of December 13. The painting shows Wilbur running along side the "Wright Flyer" steadying the wing as onlookers watch the launching of the aviation era. With this painting, the collection -- which features familiar images and stories of aviators like Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, Admiral Richard Byrd, Charles Lindbergh and many others -- is brought full-circle to where aviation began.

The exhibit, designed to provide visitors with an up-close look at the people, technology and events that shaped aviation in the Twentieth Century, also integrates some examples of Esterline's emerging technologies that will help propel the aerospace industry well into the Twenty-first Century.

This is the first time the entire collection has been displayed for public viewing and will run through April 2. The Museum is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, WA 98108