Fri Sep 25, 2009 6:50 pm
Do they make USB powered wipers so I can clean my computer display?! 
Sat Sep 26, 2009 7:44 am
I'll be up there tomorrow.
Any specific photo requests?
I might not be able to get inside tomorrow, but I can in the near future.
A funny note about the B-29 when it first came to the museum back in the early 1970's. They were lifting the horizontal to put on a truck with ten or twelve people. The storage area was located closer to the main runway then.
When the were holding the horizontal up, waiting for some supports to put under it, one of the larger volunteers pants fell down to his ankles. He had to stand their while an airliner taxied by. He mooned the heck out of those passengers!
Any specific photo requests?
I might not be able to get inside tomorrow, but I can in the near future.
A funny note about the B-29 when it first came to the museum back in the early 1970's. They were lifting the horizontal to put on a truck with ten or twelve people. The storage area was located closer to the main runway then.
When the were holding the horizontal up, waiting for some supports to put under it, one of the larger volunteers pants fell down to his ankles. He had to stand their while an airliner taxied by. He mooned the heck out of those passengers!
Sat Sep 26, 2009 8:08 am
Here's some background on how NEAM got the B-29 moved to the front burner.
I mentioned earlier that volunteers Dennis Savage was one of the key figures in what transpired. He also wrote the Squadron Signal "B-29 walk Around" book.
They understood the significance of the B-29 in aviation history, and the leaps in technology that Boeing put forth with the Superfortress.
The first question was, how do you get the kind of funding and support needed for a restoration project of this size?
Dennis researched the existing B-29's and the squadron and group markings that they were currently painted as, and it was discovered that the only WWII B-29 Group NOT represented by an existing B-29 on display, was the 58th Bomb Wing. Though the aircraft had no special ties to Connecticut, it was felt that by contact the 58th BG Association we might be able to offer our aircraft as a memorial to the Wings service.
As things progressed, the Association came on board and supplied funding to help restore the aircraft and the museum went forward with plans for a building to house the 29 when done. One decision that is tough for some museums to handle, is that it was agreed that the 29 be the only aircraft on display in the building. It would become home to the 58th BG Association's historical archives.
IOt goes to show you that if you put a good plan together and do the research, you can do almost anything.
Jerry
I mentioned earlier that volunteers Dennis Savage was one of the key figures in what transpired. He also wrote the Squadron Signal "B-29 walk Around" book.
They understood the significance of the B-29 in aviation history, and the leaps in technology that Boeing put forth with the Superfortress.
The first question was, how do you get the kind of funding and support needed for a restoration project of this size?
Dennis researched the existing B-29's and the squadron and group markings that they were currently painted as, and it was discovered that the only WWII B-29 Group NOT represented by an existing B-29 on display, was the 58th Bomb Wing. Though the aircraft had no special ties to Connecticut, it was felt that by contact the 58th BG Association we might be able to offer our aircraft as a memorial to the Wings service.
As things progressed, the Association came on board and supplied funding to help restore the aircraft and the museum went forward with plans for a building to house the 29 when done. One decision that is tough for some museums to handle, is that it was agreed that the 29 be the only aircraft on display in the building. It would become home to the 58th BG Association's historical archives.
IOt goes to show you that if you put a good plan together and do the research, you can do almost anything.
Jerry
Sat Sep 26, 2009 8:39 am
I have been a fan of NEAM for a long time and usually visit at least once a year. (Which reminds me I am overdue.) I first visited after the tornado and the move to the current site, it is was amazing to drive up to the site and see various aircraft parked off in the weeds. On some days it was possible to walk undisturbed among the wrecks from the tornado which could actually be very informative. That is how I learned that B-17s have corrugated skin inside the wings.
I actually volunteered one weekend but somehow never thought to volunteer there at my trade as an A&P mechanic when I was single.
I think one of the most impressive things about the organization was the decision to rationalize the collection to emphasize New England area aviation history. This meant that they traded or sold a lot of aircraft with no real connection to New England but in turn were able to pare down the numbers and get cash and projects more useful. The B-29 and other aircraft prove the exception to that rule which is good as well.
One thing they did that I can never forgive them for was to allow a wooden mockup of a Kaman helicopter design to rot away outside. I doubt there are any wooden mock ups of any aircraft design surviving any where.
I actually volunteered one weekend but somehow never thought to volunteer there at my trade as an A&P mechanic when I was single.
I think one of the most impressive things about the organization was the decision to rationalize the collection to emphasize New England area aviation history. This meant that they traded or sold a lot of aircraft with no real connection to New England but in turn were able to pare down the numbers and get cash and projects more useful. The B-29 and other aircraft prove the exception to that rule which is good as well.
One thing they did that I can never forgive them for was to allow a wooden mockup of a Kaman helicopter design to rot away outside. I doubt there are any wooden mock ups of any aircraft design surviving any where.
Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:10 am
I agree about the mock-up.
It was the Kaman entry for what was eventually won by the Sikorsky Sea Hawk. It was inside for many years, but in the end, the powers that be decided to put real aircraft inside. It was covered by tarps for many years,
New England weather and wood don't mix well. It started to de-laminate everywhere. In the end, I think the fire department burned it as a training exercise. To bad it wasn't stripped out before burned, as there were many real components inside. (Seats, instruments etc.)
Hind sight is great, but it would've been nice just to put it up for sale.
Jerry
It was the Kaman entry for what was eventually won by the Sikorsky Sea Hawk. It was inside for many years, but in the end, the powers that be decided to put real aircraft inside. It was covered by tarps for many years,
New England weather and wood don't mix well. It started to de-laminate everywhere. In the end, I think the fire department burned it as a training exercise. To bad it wasn't stripped out before burned, as there were many real components inside. (Seats, instruments etc.)
Hind sight is great, but it would've been nice just to put it up for sale.
Jerry
Re: B-29 at Bradley
Fri Jan 20, 2012 11:35 am
Bump. Go back to page one of you haven't seen the awesome restoration of this B-29.
Re: B-29 at Bradley
Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:05 pm
Smokes.., what a beaut!! 
Who do you HAVE to know to get the INSIDE tour?
Who do you HAVE to know to get the INSIDE tour?