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See how this iconic Kansas City rocket was moved to its new home at Wheeler Airport

By Chris Ochsner
With the TWA Moonliner II rocket on its side, a Belger Cartage crew prepares to move the historic replica rocket out of the Airline History Museum.
With the TWA Moonliner II rocket on its side, a Belger Cartage crew prepares to move the historic replica rocket out of the Airline History Museum. Roy Inman Special to The Star

It wasn’t a trip to the moon, but an iconic Kansas City rocket launched on a a trip closer to home on Saturday.

The TWA Moonliner II rocket that had been on display at the currently closed Airline History Museum at Kansas City Downtown Aiport-Wheeler Field was moved across the airport grounds to the TWA Museum at 10 Richards Road. The move helped return the promotional icon closer to its origins with TWA, the international commercial airline service that was once based in Kansas City.

The TWA Moonliner II sat atop the TWA world headquarters located at 1785 Baltimore Ave. from 1956 until 1970. It was a symbol of modern travel in the space age. The Moonliner II was a scale replica of the 76-feet-tall TWA Moonliner that was part of the Tomorrowland exhibit at Disneyland in California.

TWA is long defunct. The model rocket that currently sits atop the Baltimore Avenue building is a replica of the Moonliner II placed there after the building was refurbished in the early 2000s to resemble the red and white motif of the former TWA headquarters.

The original TWA Moonliner II sat atop the TWA headquarters building at 18th Street and Baltimore Avenue in Kansas City from 1956 until 1970.
The original TWA Moonliner II sat atop the TWA headquarters building at 18th Street and Baltimore Avenue in Kansas City from 1956 until 1970. File The Kansas City STar

An impressive list of men who left their mark on history were involved with the design and display of the original Moonliner rockets. Father of the U.S. lunar program, rocket scientist Wernher von Braun along with John Hench, a Disney Imagineer, designed the original Moonliner at the behest of Disneyland founder, and former Kansas Citian, Walt Disney. TWA, a company once principally owned by business tycoon Howard Hughes, sponsored the rockets.

The model rocket that is on top of the building at 1785 Baltimore Ave. is a replica of the TWA Moonliner II.
The model rocket that is on top of the building at 1785 Baltimore Ave. is a replica of the TWA Moonliner II. Roy Inman Special to The Star

The Moonliner II went on a less-than-stellar journey after it was removed from the roof of the TWA headquarters. For years after its lofty spot in the Kansas City skyline it was used in a promotional display at a travel trailer business in Concordia, Missouri. That was until Dan Viets of Columbia, Missouri, purchased the deteriorating rocket and had it restored. He loaned it to the Airline History Museum for display in 1997.

Legal issues faced by the Airline History Museum over the past several years dealing with the museum’s ability to operate in its current location has left its displays locked down and out of the view of the public. The move to the nearby TWA Museum will allow the public to appreciate the historic artifact and place it in an environment closer to its roots with TWA.

A Belger Cartage crew prepares the TWA Moonliner II to be moved Saturday at the Kansas City Downtown Airport-Wheeler Field.
A Belger Cartage crew prepares the TWA Moonliner II to be moved Saturday at the Kansas City Downtown Airport-Wheeler Field. Roy Inman Special to The Star
A Belger Cartage tips the TWA Moonliner II rocket on its side to prepare it for its move on Saturday.
A Belger Cartage tips the TWA Moonliner II rocket on its side to prepare it for its move on Saturday. Roy Inman Special to The Star
The Moonliner II was placed on its side on a flatbed trailer to move it from the Airline History Museum to the TWA Museum on Saturday. The replica rocket stood atop the TWA headquarters at 1785 Baltimore Ave. in Kansas City from 1956 to 1970.
The Moonliner II was placed on its side on a flatbed trailer to move it from the Airline History Museum to the TWA Museum on Saturday. The replica rocket stood atop the TWA headquarters at 1785 Baltimore Ave. in Kansas City from 1956 to 1970. Roy Inman Special to The Star
A TWA Museum volunteer takes a final measurement of the TWA Moonliner II before moving it from the Airline History Museum to the TWA Museum on Saturday. The rocket is 32 feet, 5 inches tall.
A TWA Museum volunteer takes a final measurement of the TWA Moonliner II before moving it from the Airline History Museum to the TWA Museum on Saturday. The rocket is 32 feet, 5 inches tall. Roy Inman Special to The Star
Dan Viets, Columbia, Missouri, owner of the TWA Moonliner II, talked about the replica rocket during Saturday's move. When the rocket was retired from display at the TWA headquarters in 1970, it founds its way to a display at a travel trailer company in Concordia, Missouri. Viets bought if from there, had it restored, and then loaned it to the Airline History Museum. With the shutdown of the Airline History Museum, he is now loaning it to the TWA Museum.
Dan Viets, Columbia, Missouri, owner of the TWA Moonliner II, talked about the replica rocket during Saturday's move. When the rocket was retired from display at the TWA headquarters in 1970, it founds its way to a display at a travel trailer company in Concordia, Missouri. Viets bought if from there, had it restored, and then loaned it to the Airline History Museum. With the shutdown of the Airline History Museum, he is now loaning it to the TWA Museum. Roy Inman Special to The Star
A Belger Cartage truck begins the move of the TWA Moonliner II from the Airline History Museum across Wheeler Field to the TWA Museum on Saturday. The Moonliner II is a scaled down replica of the TWA Moonliner rocket that was part of a display at Disneyland inviting visitors to imagine a world of space travel.
A Belger Cartage truck begins the move of the TWA Moonliner II from the Airline History Museum across Wheeler Field to the TWA Museum on Saturday. The Moonliner II is a scaled down replica of the TWA Moonliner rocket that was part of a display at Disneyland inviting visitors to imagine a world of space travel. Roy Inman Special to The Star
TWA Moonliner II owner Dan Viets helped clean the dusty rocket after it was moved inside the TWA Museum on Saturday.
TWA Moonliner II owner Dan Viets helped clean the dusty rocket after it was moved inside the TWA Museum on Saturday. Roy Inman Special to The Star
The TWA Moonliner II is hoisted upright after it was moved into the TWA Museum on Saturday.
The TWA Moonliner II is hoisted upright after it was moved into the TWA Museum on Saturday. Roy Inman Special to The Star
Don Jourdan, left, rebuilt the TWA Moonliner II for its owner, Dan Viets, eright. They posed with the Rocket after its final placment in the TWA Museum. Nearly six hours were required for the intricate, move from the Airline History Museum to its new location.
Don Jourdan, left, rebuilt the TWA Moonliner II for its owner, Dan Viets, eright. They posed with the Rocket after its final placment in the TWA Museum. Nearly six hours were required for the intricate, move from the Airline History Museum to its new location. Roy Inman Special to The Star

This story was originally published September 28, 2025 at 12:12 PM.

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