MAPS Air Museum Update 10/26/11

[Steve Nelson]

Chris, I think the fuselage section of the Marauder used in "A Guy Name Joe" may now be at Pima. They're also building up a composite B-26 airframe, and when I toured their shop in '04 there was a chunk of aft fuselage on which you could clearly see the remains of faux Japanese markings (I think the Marauders in "Joe" were used as stand-ins for Bettys.)

MAPS definitely does a great job. They've got their work cut out for them with that Thud..it appears to be an airframe used for damage repair training. The thing is absolutely covered with really clunky sheet metal patches.

SN

[kalamazookid]

That F-86 has got to be one of the nicest museum examples out there. Looks absolutely stunning with the bright markings and polished finish!

Their F-102 is a USAFE veteran. That would be a neat choice for markings when they get around to restoring that one. They've done a great job restoring what they have so far, and I'm sure the rest of these will looks just as good when finished.

[oscardeuce]

I would expect to see that whole aircraft repainted. MAPS does a great job, and with an all volunteer force. That B-26 Marauder is one rare bird. It was one of the Tallichet recoveries, and is made up of more than one aircraft. One of the aircraft used was used in A Guy Named Joe. As for it being a bondo buggy, I have never seen any bondo on it. I'd be curious to know where and why there is any. I was a team member of this aircraft when it was in Pittsburgh. Clair Pazey was the crew chief. Clair would never allow anyone to short cut a project.

We got rid of all the bondo on the 26 I could see. We even reskinned many areas improperly prepared years ago. I have spent some time on that bird and have learned much. Many other have spent even more time on the restoration.

Jim H can't find his throttle with both hands.

[mustangdriver]

Steve, that may be. I know we did have one of the Japanese marked ones at Air Heritage. It sat outside and was being used for parts. I seem to remember having more than one forward fuselage there too. But I am not 100% I wish I could go back to those days a bit. We had a P-47, P-51, 2 or 3 P-39's, 3 P-40's, an A-20, and more in the hangar. I used to spend hours on end sitting in the pilot's seat of the Collings Foundation's B-25 reading the pilot manual. I would later do the same on the movie Belle. All of this while I was like 14. This is why places like MAPS and Air Heritage are important.

[Steve Nelson]

Here are a couple of pics from the shop at Pima in 2004. You can make out what looks like the remains of a Japanese "Meatball" and some bomb mission marks, along with what may be a large Stateside training number. I have no idea if any of these parts came from Air Heritage. If only these old girls could talk, the stories they'd tell...

SN

[Fox1]

Chris, I think the fuselage section of the Marauder used in "A Guy Name Joe" may now be at Pima. They're also building up a composite B-26 airframe, and when I toured their shop in '04 there was a chunk of aft fuselage on which you could clearly see the remains of faux Japanese markings (I think the Marauders in "Joe" were used as stand-ins for Bettys.)

MAPS definitely does a great job. They've got their work cut out for them with that Thud..it appears to be an airframe used for damage repair training. The thing is absolutely covered with really clunky sheet metal patches.

SN

Yep, the Thud was used for damage repair if I remember correctly. The F-100 was one of the ones converted to a drone. MAPS did a pretty good job getting rid of all the drone equipment and making it like used to be.

Nice collection, the 86 looks great.

But please tell me they'll do something about the T-33 markings.
There were no 62- T-Birds and the "Buzz number"" doesn't match the last three of the (incorrect) tail serial.

I'm pretty sure that will not be the final scheme. Thats just the way that EAA displayed it at Oshkosh. I may be wrong, but I thought I heard someone (not sure if they were on the crew) say that they were going to polish it like the F-86.

[JimH]

I grew up in Akron and was there when MAPS started in 89. I volunteered there until the politics got to be too much and it was no longer fun or productive to be around. Over the years I've been back to visit and it has come along way BUT I have never agreed with what they have done with the B-26.

jh

The entire nose is caked with bondo, and probably one of the reasons it was painted so quickly.



This is how one of the rarest airplanes on the planet was treated for years...



On the back porch was this P-39 airframe, the aft portion visible in this shot.

Last edited by JimH on Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

[mustangdriver]

I wonder if the P-39 "Snooks 2nd" is still there?

[Warbird Kid]

I've never been out to MAPS so what i know about them is from here, and there website. From what it looks like they've done a great job at expanding there collection in the past few years. That being said the one big disappointment i have with them is when the B-26 was changed from a flyable restoration to be a static one. While they don't have many WWII aircraft, this one certainly is a rare jewel. I know MAPS would probably never go for the idea but Id rather see them sell the 26 to someone who would restore the bomber back to 100% original stock flyable condition while they would have a nice chunk of money to purchase maybe 4 or 5 fiberglass WWII Fighter replicas or something else that could benefit the museum better. Just seems like a waist to me to see this rare bomber stay on the ground.

[mustangdriver]

Jim H that is it I believe. That is the real deal Snooks 2nd.

Wabirdkid MAPS doesn't own the B-26 I think it is still onloan from MARC, that being said I think they did a great job with what they got handed. She was really rough.

[Warbird Kid]

MAPS doesn't own the B-26 I think it is still onloan from MARC, that being said I think they did a great job with what they got handed. She was really rough.

Ah! Didn't know that. Well that is certainly interesting. I've seen some of the shots of how she looked when she first arrived and you are quite right, she was really rough. Still though, knowing that MARC owns her makes me a little hopeful that we could see her fly eventually.

[mustangdriver]

I am not sure, but I think the aircraft is being done to airworthy standards, however I do think you will see it stay at MAPS.

[PreservedAC]

Looking at the pictures in this thread ,MAPS did a great job.

Visited the museum in 2005.

The F-100 is repainted ,F-101 restoration well in progress .The F-102 back on its wheels.
The Tiger has wings again ,The A-7 is complete.

The've added a T-33 ,F-105 F-84F ,F-86 Sabre and F-14 Tomcat. Just to name a few...


Impressions of my visit in 2005.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pvdac/sets ... 241116790/




Johan

[Fox1]

I grew up in Akron and was there when MAPS started in 89. I volunteered there until the politics got to be too much and it was no longer fun or productive to be around. Over the years I've been back to visit and it has come along way BUT I have never agreed with what they have done with the B-26.

jh

The entire nose is caked with bondo, and probably one of the reasons it was painted so quickly.



This is how one of the rarest airplanes on the planet was treated for years...



On the back porch was this P-39 airframe, the aft portion visible in this shot.

The current leadership is doing an excellent job and I think you should give it a second chance. Lots of progress everywhere.

[Avnut]

MAPS recently hired an excutive director this past summer. The leadership has changed and the museum wants to grow.

Correct, the A-26 (nonflying airframe) is from the Historical Aircraft Squadron. The two P-39s left 5 plus years ago.