MAPS Air Museum Visit - Photos

[kalamazookid]

Decided to take advantage of some decent traveling weather and head over to MAPS Air Museum near Akron, Ohio this past Sunday. It was my first visit in two years and it was nice to return.

Below are some photos of things that have changed or been worked on since my last visit. Of note are the progress on the B-26 and the completion of the ex-Walter Soplata F-84F. The museum has also recently taken delivery of the ex-Chanute Air Museum A-4 Skyhawk in Blue Angels livery and an F-16 project from AMARC. I was unable to visit the restoration building, but the museum is also working on Cook Cleland's F-86A, a BT-13, and an A-26 that was formerly with Historical Aircraft Squadron in Fairfield, Ohio.

Photography was very difficult because the museum packed as many aircraft in the hangar as it could for the winter months. Space is definitely at a premium in the hangar right now. That is not a bad thing, because it means more aircraft are sheltered from the elements.

If there's anything you'd like to see pictures of that I didn't post, let me know and I'll dig up what I have.

First, the B-26. It is not an airworthy restoration. It appears they are using as much of the original material as possible.

IMG_3361 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_3372 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

The glass nose was under restoration at my last visit and is newly mounted.

IMG_3363 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_3364 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

One of the cowlings has been installed:

IMG_3371 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

Bomb-bay doors:

IMG_3365 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

Interior pics:

IMG_3368 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_3369 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

The ex-Soplata F-84F completely restored. It's very complete. This is the only F-84F I've seen restored with the air refueling receptacle open.

IMG_3375 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_3343 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_3306 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

A-4 arrival from Chanute. It was recently dedicated and appears to have a fresh coat of paint.

IMG_3308 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

Hangar views that show the F-16:

IMG_3349 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_3345 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_3344 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_3310 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

Sub-Standard is one of my favorites:

IMG_3356 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

The F-14 is in the process of being repainted:

IMG_3311 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

Anyone know what this is?

IMG_3339 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

[Warbird Kid]

Great shots! Thanks! Need to get out there one day. Looks as though they need another hangar or a large storage building or something.

[Pat Carry]

Thanks for the photos! The B-26 is looking real good. They have really done a nice job with all their planes. thanks again.

[Zac Yates]

Some cool stuff there, the B-26 looks amazing - very original - and the F-84F is stunning!

I'm curious about that last one too. There's something on the fuse near the tail that I can't quite see - a logo or rego maybe? The engine mount makes me think it's some sort of homebuilt.

[Chris Brame]

I don't think I've ever seen a photo of a B-26 with a framed nose glass; its sister ship (Kermit's) doesn't look like that either - what's the story behind it?

[Nathan]

the framing on the nose cone looks extra large. A little odd and out of place IMHO.

Glad to see Soplata's F-84F taken care of!

[kalamazookid]

It might be the angle of the photos. The NMUSAF example also has framing. Having seen both examples in person, there doesn't appear to be a significant size or shape difference to my eye.

IMG_3056 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

The small prop domes on the MAPS airframe are different than the NMUSAFs, which is a later model. The smaller prop domes may be accurate for the early model, or they may end up covered with spinners. I've seen period photos of early B-26s with spinners, including an aircraft in Alaska, so that may be what is accurate for the MAPS example.

[mike furline]

I'm curious about that last one too. There's something on the fuse near the tail that I can't quite see - a logo or rego maybe? The engine mount makes me think it's some sort of homebuilt.

A-67 Dragon, https://sites.google.com/a/mapsairmuseu ... -airplane/

[sandiego89]

Thanks for posting, the F-84 looks fantastic! Has come a long way from how it looked in Walter's yard.

[lucky52]

What is the painted black area a few feet behind the refueling door?

[quemerford]

Decided to take advantage of some decent traveling weather and head over to MAPS Air Museum near Akron, Ohio this past Sunday. It was my first visit in two years and it was nice to return.

Below are some photos of things that have changed or been worked on since my last visit. Of note are the progress on the B-26 and the completion of the ex-Walter Soplata F-84F. The museum has also recently taken delivery of the ex-Chanute Air Museum A-4 Skyhawk in Blue Angels livery and an F-16 project from AMARC. I was unable to visit the restoration building, but the museum is also working on Cook Cleland's F-86A, a BT-13, and an A-26 that was formerly with Historical Aircraft Squadron in Fairfield, Ohio.

Great photos - thanks for sharing. MAPS do some great work.

Not sure where the "Cook Cleland" bit came from, but the MAPS F-86A is 48-263, the 1949 Thompson Trophy (Jet) winner, with Capt Bruce Cunningham aboard: I recall it's on loan from NMUSAF and ex-New England Air Museum. Then and now:





And Walt's F-84F: it's come along way!

[Misterg97]

For those F-86 fans ... took the photos back in the early 50's .... spent some 7 months with daily visits with as many as 80 in a single day.

[Zac Yates]

I'm curious about that last one too. There's something on the fuse near the tail that I can't quite see - a logo or rego maybe? The engine mount makes me think it's some sort of homebuilt.

A-67 Dragon, https://sites.google.com/a/mapsairmuseu ... -airplane/

Thanks Mike! It's new to me. I had a feeling it was turbine because of the hole in the cowling...I had very conflicted thoughts!

[OD/NG]

For those F-86 fans ... took the photos back in the early 50's .... spent some 7 months with daily visits with as many as 80 in a single day.

Cool pictures, Misterg97! Where did you take those from? I assume Korea?

[Misterg97]

Spent my last 7 months in the Far East at the Koon-ni Range ... while assigned to K-55 (Osan) we lived on the Range with a beat up Quonset, Pot Belly Stove and an outhouse ... all enlisted men. Here's a sample of a simulated A bomb drop