AT FIRST GLANCE... IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE MUCH.
A TWISTED, WEATHER BEATEN HUNK OF METAL FROM AN OLD FASHIONED AIRPLANE. BUT IT'S WHAT THIS PROPELLER REPRESENTS THAT MAKES IT SO IMPORTANT. AND STEVE RIRIE SAYS IT'S HIGH TIME SOUTHERN NEVADANS GOT A LOOK. NOVEMBER 17, 1955. A C54 TAKES OFF FROM BURBANK, CALIFORNIA... EN ROUTE TO THE TOP SECRET: AREA 51. THE MISSION FOR THOSE ON BOARD: WITNESS A TEST FLIGHT OF THE ALSO TOP SECRET: U2 SPY PLANE. BUT THE C54... FLYING WITHOUT INSTRUMENTATION, RUNS INTO BAD WEATHER AND HITS THE PEAK OF MOUNTAIN CHARLESTON KILLING ALL 14 PEOPLE ON BOARD. BEING INSTALLED IS A PERMANENT MEMORIAL AT THE STILL-UNDER-CONSTRUCTION-VISITORS CENTER IN KYLE CANYON. SET TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IN MAY (2015). THE PROPELLER ITSELF NOW FACING IN THE DIRECTION OF AREA 51. A SECRET REVEALED IN A SIMPLE PIECE OF METAL. A REMINDER OF THE MEN WHO NEVER MADE IT OFF MOUNTAIN CHARLESTON.
