Warbird Information Exchange

the new liberty air museum in port clinton ohio is 1st class!! i joined as a volunteer. they have a great original diner, great displays of b-25 j "georgie's gal", of course their ford trimotor project which is most ambitious, 2 ww2 era vosper p.t. boats built under contract in the u.s., & under restoration, a harvard, luft aaa gun, etc. i thought it was very cool to see clark gable's dress uniform & discharge papers their, especially since i recently posted a thread on gable after reading his autobiography. his uniform looks like it was just taken off his back!! it was interesting to see gable's discharge papers signed by then captain, later governor, later president & movie star ronald reagan.

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

just google the liberty air museum port clinton ohio & you'll get the hit you need.

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Link to museum's website: Liberty Aviation Museum
Link to foundation's website: Tri-Motor Heritage Foundation


A few questions: How did they end up with a PT-boat? Do they have 2 or 1 of them, because you mention 2, but the website only notes 1. How much of it is original? Where is the 37mm from? How much of the Tri-Motor is original? Should I shut up after asking too many questions?

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Tri-State Warbird Museum Collections Manager & Museum Attendant

Warbird Philosophy Webmaster

The tri-motor is essentialy scratch built. IIRC, a collector had the longeron material and a few other odds n ends, but those guys are building the rest by hand, including making the corrugated skins.

Very impressive project. They have had a display at Oshkosh the last couple of years.

We do have two PT Boats, PT-724 and PT-728. PT-724 is a long term restoration project and is currently in storage. PT-728 is undergoing a restoration this winter and should be back in the water later this spring.

The Harvard in the hangar is on loan to the LAM for the winter by Charlie Cartledge.

I understand the Ford was one of Maurice Hovious's project aircraft. At one time he had what was left of all three of the original Island Airlines Fords (I think he's managed to acquire just about every original original Tri-motor wreckage or basket case in existence.) He's providing the tooling and some parts support, and the guys in Port Clinton are doing the actual work.

SN

from what i recall the trimotor hoarder info is true. the guy has foresight!! to answer some posted questions re: the museum...... yes they have two british ww2 vosper pt boats. 1 operable now, pt -728. the other is a long term restoration. both boats were built in the u.s. under license. the operable one was a pleasure boat here up to a few years ago when it was docked at a high end marina. the restorations are ongoing, the crews, boat safety, etc, certifications by the u.s. coast guard are ongoing as well. the coast guard is even mentoring the group in all facets. both boats will be stock military. the diner is 1st class & original 50's vintage, good eats, & you can taxi your bird right up to the place for a $100.00 hamburger. there is a harvard, the b-25 "georgie's gal" a german aa gun, half track, jeep, an mg sports car from the 40's or 50's, etc. great displays of memorabilia both trimotor & ww 2 related. i urge everyone in the vicinity to visit for lunch, & take in the museum, it's only $5.00 to get in. if you are coming out let me know well in advance & i'll meet any of you their.

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Thanks for the info! I live western burbs of Cleveland and will definitely plan to visit the museum and get a bite to eat at the diner!