Grissom Air Museum Visit

[kalamazookid]

Stopped by Grissom Air Museum on a cold, gray Saturday a week ago. It was my first visit since 2009-10ish and it sure seems bare without the B-17 there anymore.

Selection of photos is below. If anyone wants to see more of something, let me know and I'll see what I have. More in an album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124970884 ... 3029383662

The B-47 looks like it has been repainted in the not-too distant past.

IMG_1473 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_1475 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

The Flying Boxcar unfortunately has several holes in the stabilizer.

IMG_1495 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_1496 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_1500 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_1510 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_1524 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

The B-58 has a fresh coat of paint and looks decent, all things considered.

IMG_1531 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_1540 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_1548 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

IMG_1570 by Matthew Vader, on Flickr

[seabee1526]

Great shots...looks like a well maintained place. Thanks

[Warbird Kid]

The previous paint job on the C-47 was better. Thanks for the photos.

[kalamazookid]

The previous paint job on the C-47 was better. Thanks for the photos.

I agree. Not that the new scheme is bad or anything, I just preferred the old scheme and the story associated with it.

As with most outdoor displays in this part of the country, some aircraft do look rough, but the museum is doing the best it can with the resources it has. None of the shortcomings with any of the individual aircraft are due to lack of effort in care. I do wish there were funds to get at least some of the aircraft under some type of cover.

[mustangdriver]

The reason behind the C-47 paint scheme change was nothing more than good old fashioned politics.

[WIXerGreg]

They've all been repainted within the last handful of years which is great, but it's a shame what they did to the C-47. The B-25 hadn't been done yet when I was there last. I don't think the B-58 had been done yet either.

[WIXerGreg]

Matt, did you go to Purdue Aviation Day a couple weeks ago? I had to miss it.

[Chris Brame]

Thanks for posting these, Matt - I know they've had their struggles keeping the place up.
Did you spot the derelict T-33 that was sitting off in the weeds?

[kalamazookid]

Matt, did you go to Purdue Aviation Day a couple weeks ago? I had to miss it.

I had to miss it as well. I had to be out of town that weekend. From the photos I've seen in local media, the only aircraft of interest in military, warbird or vintage category was a UH-60. I know they were supposed to have a couple alums bring in a pair of F-18s from Norfolk, but I don't think they made it due to weather.

Thanks for posting these, Matt - I know they've had their struggles keeping the place up.
Did you spot the derelict T-33 that was sitting off in the weeds?

Yes - it is still there. I did not photograph it this time since it looked to be in the same condition as my last visit. It's still sitting off in the weeds behind the KC-97. At one time, there was also a t-shaped tail section back there but I did not see it this time.

[Scott Rose]

Totally stealing these pics for the Registry, with your permission of course.

That Hustler is looking sharp

[kalamazookid]

Totally stealing these pics for the Registry, with your permission of course.

That Hustler is looking sharp

You are absolutely welcome to use any of them for the Registry.

[Stoney]

Here's me when I few PP

[6trn4brn]

I was hoping you had seen this post Stoney!

So good to see all of the old girls still being taken care of. I have not been back since the Belle was sent to Georgia, but from the photos I have seen of her resurrection, she is going to be a stunner! And you all are so correct in that the museum does all it can with the funds they have, which is not much. They get not money from the state or federal governments. Donations and membership funds are all they have to take care of the old girls. Thank you so much for the photos of "my" old girls