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#36 Ann Arbor Stories: Housewife Flies Around the World

The woman the papers called "the pretty Michigan housewife" had never left the United States before planning her 1967 flight around the world. Not in a modern jet, but in a 30-year-old plane that had 14 previous owners, one crash landing, and most recently was set ablaze for firefighting practice.

This was the plane 30-year-old Ann Pellegreno used to fly around the world, following the path charted by Amelia Earhart 30 years before. This is the story of the amazing Ann Pellegreno and her flight around the world.

Music by Stepdad.

This episode is part of the 2017 AADL Summer Game. There are sound effects in this episode that offer clues to questions on the AADL Summer Game site. Get the questions right and earn points and a special badge in the Summer Game.

Learn more about Ann Pellegreno's flight around the world in the AADL archives.

Ann and Don Pellegreno With Biplane Built for Acrobatic Flying, July 1963 Photographer: Doug Fulton

Ann and Don Pellegreno With Biplane Built for Acrobatic Flying, July 1963 image
Year:
1963
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, July 6, 1963
Caption:
Wingless Angel: "Hell's Angel," named after a classic motion picture about World War I flying, is exhibited here by its builders, Mr. and Mrs. Donald D. Pellegreno, in the driveway of their home at 426 Hill St. Pellegreno holds a rib structure for one of the miniature biplane's wings. The plane, being built by the Pellegrenos for acrobatic flying, was begun early last year and will be completed this fall.

Saline's Ann Pellegreno and Mechanic Lee Koepke Plan Amelia Earhart Commemorative Flight, March 1967 Photographer: Jim Kane

Saline's Ann Pellegreno and Mechanic Lee Koepke Plan Amelia Earhart Commemorative Flight, March 1967 image
Year:
1967
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, March 21, 1967
Caption:
Taking Amelia Earhart's Course - Mrs. Ann H. Pellegreno of near Saline and her mechanic, Lee Koepke, examine one of the propellers of their twin-engine Lockheed Aircraft Model 10 airplane. They plan to fly the 1937 craft on a 27,000-mile around-the-world flight to trace Amelia Earhart's attempted trip around the world. They will leave San Francisco for their flight on May 20.