New Air Zoo
Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:04 pm
I visited the Air Zoo's new 125,000 sq. ft. facility and was quite impressed. The P-40 is suspended in the glass-enclosed lobby and can offer some dramatic views when the lighting is right. Inside the museum, the "Centennial of Flight" Mural (the worlds largest indoor mural I'm told) sets the backdrop for the exhibits. Painted by Rick Herter, it covers early ballooning, WWI, a spectacular WWII English airfield, an aircraft carrier and, finally, space.
The first exhibit is Beginnings which is centered around the Golden Age aircraft- the Waco VPF-7, Travel Air Mystery Ship replica and Waco INF- and some WWI replicas- a SPAD, Fokker Dr.1 and JN-4 Jenny (none of which are full size). There is a family balloon ride in the area. In a seperate wing is Flights of Fancy, basically a Kids room with alot of cool acticivities.
Next is the Missions exhibit. The Missions Theater is a 4-D simulated flight on a B-17 over Germany, which was certainly one of the highlights of my visit! On display nearby are the B-25, P-47 and P-39, as well as the PT-23, PT-17 and PT-22. The Guadalcanal Memorial Museum is located in a seperate wing. A new D-Day striped L-4 Grasshopper was also on display.
Sentinels at Sea are four F-18 simulators which visitors can fly themselves! They are capable of inverted flight and 360 degree pitch! Displayed nearby are the newly-restored A-4 Skyhawk in Australian Navy markings, F-8 Crusader, F-18 Hornet and F-14 Tomcat. Rounding out the aircraft were the SR-71 Blackbird two-seater and EL Kabong I Gemini-test capsule, on loan from the Smithsonian.
Overall, the new building is very impressive, though there seems to be a LOT of unused floor space and it seems like they could easily fit a few more aircraft in there.
You can still visit the old museum, which is actually alot cooler if you are more into looking at planes than riding the rides. On outdoor display was a sharp, clean F-84F, and a Learjet, B-57 Canberra and F-4 Phantom, all of which were in poor condition. Inside is a very impressive display of aircraft. Some aircraft are now displayed that haven't been before, such as the OV-1 Mohawk. Another pleasant surprise was the CG-4A now being displayed next to the C-47. The CG-4A is one of the most immaculate restorations I have ever seen! It is finished as "The Fighting Falcon" one of the gliders built by Gibson Refrigerating Co. in Greenville. Some of the highlights were the 4 Grumman Cats, the Corsair, Dauntless, Skyraider and Hispano (in its original service markings). Vlado Lenoch's immaculate P-51 was also on display. Jet fans can see the museum's F-86 "Darling Dottie", Mig-15 and P-80. World War II trainers were also represented with the N3N Yellow Peril, a very rare Timm N2T-1 Tutor, SNV-1 Valiant and a T-6. If you are a helicopter fan, the HUP-3 is displayed in immaculate condition, with a fully restored interior.
Unfortunately, you cannot tour the Restoration Center anymore. From what I could gather, the Ford Trimotor should be flying again by early fall and the XP-55 Ascender should be ready for display by early summer.
The museum is now planning further expansion. A 30,000 sq. ft. building to accomodate the relocated Michigan Space &Science Center artifacts is being planned, as well as a 40,000 sq. ft. addition to the new building to display the Grumman Cats, the Corsair and the Dauntless. Unfortunately, the facility does not have runway access, so once they're moved in, I don't think they'll ever come out again to fly. Even though some of my favorites from past visits to the musem like the F-11 and Mig-21 weren't on exhibit, the museum still has alot to offer and it is definitely worth a visit.
The first exhibit is Beginnings which is centered around the Golden Age aircraft- the Waco VPF-7, Travel Air Mystery Ship replica and Waco INF- and some WWI replicas- a SPAD, Fokker Dr.1 and JN-4 Jenny (none of which are full size). There is a family balloon ride in the area. In a seperate wing is Flights of Fancy, basically a Kids room with alot of cool acticivities.
Next is the Missions exhibit. The Missions Theater is a 4-D simulated flight on a B-17 over Germany, which was certainly one of the highlights of my visit! On display nearby are the B-25, P-47 and P-39, as well as the PT-23, PT-17 and PT-22. The Guadalcanal Memorial Museum is located in a seperate wing. A new D-Day striped L-4 Grasshopper was also on display.
Sentinels at Sea are four F-18 simulators which visitors can fly themselves! They are capable of inverted flight and 360 degree pitch! Displayed nearby are the newly-restored A-4 Skyhawk in Australian Navy markings, F-8 Crusader, F-18 Hornet and F-14 Tomcat. Rounding out the aircraft were the SR-71 Blackbird two-seater and EL Kabong I Gemini-test capsule, on loan from the Smithsonian.
Overall, the new building is very impressive, though there seems to be a LOT of unused floor space and it seems like they could easily fit a few more aircraft in there.
You can still visit the old museum, which is actually alot cooler if you are more into looking at planes than riding the rides. On outdoor display was a sharp, clean F-84F, and a Learjet, B-57 Canberra and F-4 Phantom, all of which were in poor condition. Inside is a very impressive display of aircraft. Some aircraft are now displayed that haven't been before, such as the OV-1 Mohawk. Another pleasant surprise was the CG-4A now being displayed next to the C-47. The CG-4A is one of the most immaculate restorations I have ever seen! It is finished as "The Fighting Falcon" one of the gliders built by Gibson Refrigerating Co. in Greenville. Some of the highlights were the 4 Grumman Cats, the Corsair, Dauntless, Skyraider and Hispano (in its original service markings). Vlado Lenoch's immaculate P-51 was also on display. Jet fans can see the museum's F-86 "Darling Dottie", Mig-15 and P-80. World War II trainers were also represented with the N3N Yellow Peril, a very rare Timm N2T-1 Tutor, SNV-1 Valiant and a T-6. If you are a helicopter fan, the HUP-3 is displayed in immaculate condition, with a fully restored interior.
Unfortunately, you cannot tour the Restoration Center anymore. From what I could gather, the Ford Trimotor should be flying again by early fall and the XP-55 Ascender should be ready for display by early summer.
The museum is now planning further expansion. A 30,000 sq. ft. building to accomodate the relocated Michigan Space &Science Center artifacts is being planned, as well as a 40,000 sq. ft. addition to the new building to display the Grumman Cats, the Corsair and the Dauntless. Unfortunately, the facility does not have runway access, so once they're moved in, I don't think they'll ever come out again to fly. Even though some of my favorites from past visits to the musem like the F-11 and Mig-21 weren't on exhibit, the museum still has alot to offer and it is definitely worth a visit.
Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:37 pm
All very laudable, I'm sure.
It's just a real shame that yet another collection of airworthy warbirds has become a static mausoleum, sorry, museum.
It's just a real shame that yet another collection of airworthy warbirds has become a static mausoleum, sorry, museum.
Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:44 pm
I hope to make it there one day to see it for myself too. I hear it is a great place.
I do agree it is a shame to ground flyable aircraft. I'd rather them sell a few unnecessary planes, have a smaller hangar with oil on the floor, spend some money on insurance, and fly what they have.
I do agree it is a shame to ground flyable aircraft. I'd rather them sell a few unnecessary planes, have a smaller hangar with oil on the floor, spend some money on insurance, and fly what they have.
Fri Apr 01, 2005 9:05 pm
I wholeheartedly agree. The expansions are nice, but I would rather see them fly!
Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:04 am
Hi,
Just out of curiousity. Where did they come by the Xp-55 Ascender ? The only one that I knew of and have actually seen, was the on that the NASM had in storage at Silver Hill. Is it that one, on loan ? Or is it another one that no one knew about ??
Paul
Just out of curiousity. Where did they come by the Xp-55 Ascender ? The only one that I knew of and have actually seen, was the on that the NASM had in storage at Silver Hill. Is it that one, on loan ? Or is it another one that no one knew about ??
Paul
NASM XP-55 at ZOO
Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:22 am
The Ascender is on loan to the Zoo from NASM.
Jerry
Jerry
Sat Apr 02, 2005 1:20 am
The XP-55 came from NASM. The museum is part of the Smithsonian Affiliation program and has access to the traveling exhibits of the Smithsonian. The aircraft is a time machine. Looking in the cockpit when it arrived, it seemed like everything would be completely functional after a good cleaning. I heard that NASM isn't allowing them to restore the cockpit to keep it as original as possible. When completed, it will be a very exciting and unique aircraft.
P-40
Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:33 am
I'm boycotting the place till they repaint that damned, pink P-40! (Not really, but I DO hate that thing)
Sat Apr 02, 2005 9:23 am
HEY!
I also do not like the idea of those aircraft stuck inside, and unable to do what thay were designed to do. Gas and Insurance prices have gotten silly and the typical "tourist dollar" has to be yanked from their wallets with something exciting, not just a pile of airworthy parts with a story or two.
I remember back in the days, one thursday night, hoping something would show up early for the Hanscom show. It was getting late and the sun was setting. All of a sudden I hear on the radio "triple two sugar U over the numbers for a left break to land". No call from outside the area just an announcement at the numbers. The controller responded abruptly, "WHAT?" I looked up and Sue was in a left break turning to land on runway 11. Then another call, "Triple two sugar U Landing 11" only to get another awkward response from the tower. "2 Sierra Uniform Go around!" She replied "Negative, I have to land" and she did.
Sue not only flew the Pink P-40, she had a T-34 and a conquest painted the same way. 444SU graced our ramp in Bedford, MA a few times.
KEEP THEM AIRWORTHY!
I also do not like the idea of those aircraft stuck inside, and unable to do what thay were designed to do. Gas and Insurance prices have gotten silly and the typical "tourist dollar" has to be yanked from their wallets with something exciting, not just a pile of airworthy parts with a story or two.
I remember back in the days, one thursday night, hoping something would show up early for the Hanscom show. It was getting late and the sun was setting. All of a sudden I hear on the radio "triple two sugar U over the numbers for a left break to land". No call from outside the area just an announcement at the numbers. The controller responded abruptly, "WHAT?" I looked up and Sue was in a left break turning to land on runway 11. Then another call, "Triple two sugar U Landing 11" only to get another awkward response from the tower. "2 Sierra Uniform Go around!" She replied "Negative, I have to land" and she did.
Sue not only flew the Pink P-40, she had a T-34 and a conquest painted the same way. 444SU graced our ramp in Bedford, MA a few times.
KEEP THEM AIRWORTHY!
Sat Apr 02, 2005 9:17 pm
Hello,
I humbly suggest that you check out my recent article about the "air Zoo" in the latest issue of "Classic Wings". It is a wonderful place! Great airplanes. Friendly staff. Superb displays. Enough said.
Regards,
ron
I humbly suggest that you check out my recent article about the "air Zoo" in the latest issue of "Classic Wings". It is a wonderful place! Great airplanes. Friendly staff. Superb displays. Enough said.
Regards,
ron
Sat Apr 02, 2005 9:23 pm
Kaigun Fan wrote:It is a wonderful place! Great airplanes. Friendly staff. Superb displays. Enough said.
It's still a mausoleum though, with a potentially airworthy P-40 strung up like a giant airfix kit.
Sat Apr 02, 2005 10:31 pm
I can't say I'm a fan of the color pink but It was nice to see that P-40N flying around. It broke my heart to seeing a picture of it hanging from the roof, just not right. Also very sad to see the rest of the collection is grounded.
So, have they placed the A/C in the dark like every other museum? Can you get several views of the aircraft or just one? I can't stand paying good money to get into a museum and not being able to see half the aircraft becasue they are ropped off hidden behind several other a/c. SORRY Rant off
So, have they placed the A/C in the dark like every other museum? Can you get several views of the aircraft or just one? I can't stand paying good money to get into a museum and not being able to see half the aircraft becasue they are ropped off hidden behind several other a/c. SORRY Rant off
Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:34 am
You can still see them pretty good, but the lighting isn't very good in the new museum.
Sun Apr 03, 2005 7:38 pm
while a pink p-40 may want to make you barf, it is actually fairly accurate colorwise for ww 2 camouflage!! many ww 2 aircraft that served in north africa were painted in variations of brown that look putrid pukie pink!!! the paint in alot of cases also faded to worse colors of pink from sun exposure. ever see the b-24 strawberry bitch at the usaf museum??
Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:19 am
But Hot Pink? 