This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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New England Air Museum

Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:34 pm

Hi guys,

Well, since I have relocated from the Arctic Tundra of Minnesota, to the East Coast in Connecticut. I took the liberty of checking out the New England Air Museum. I was surprised by what they had there. Their B-29 looks pretty intact although from what I could see the cockpit is pretty well gutted for the time being. And it looks pretty good all over, but again, I didn't get up real close.

The collection inside is a pretty nice collection. I'll try and put up some pic's later. The stuff outside, however, is, at least externally in my opinion, the planes have seen better days. But outdoor storage is always hard on the airframe. All in all, a pretty nice collection and the only problem as I see it is that there is too much stuff in too little space...for photography that is. But it was a neat experiance.

Will write abit more later when I have the time to put up pic's

Paul

PS...anyone in the New England area...Hartford/Springfiled at the moment, need any help doing resto work or help with their Warbird...give me a shout. I am only partially in a FAA related filed and I would very much prefer to keep my A&P active.

B-26

Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:26 am

Welcome to New England Paul,did you see the A-26? If so how is she?
What brought you to CT?
I work for Pratt in Middletown.
Phil
P.S. Don't sell your coat. :wink:

Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:17 pm

Hi Paul,
Check out this thread. Its the Annual New England WIX Spring Outting and Maine Snowball Militia Mixer! We are going down on 29April. If you or anyone else are interested, sign up!
Don

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... highlight=

Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:02 am

Paul,

Be sure to check out the NEAM's Open Cockpit Sundays, when you can actually sit in several aircraft in their collection. Also, this is when several veteran's (from pilots to line crew) show up as aircraft docents, so you can enoy some interesting conversations and hear some unique insights.

Go early before the museum is filled with families. Nothing against families, but if you want to have time to talk with the vet's before they get busy, go early. If you have kids, its a great way to enjoy an aviation museum.

Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:18 pm

The last info I saw on the B-29 is a couple of years old. The web site for the museum is badly out of date. They were doing a nice job on the plane though.....

Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:24 pm

Hi all,

Okay here is my attempt at posting photo's. I would have posted them sooner but I was kinda busy this past week. Work and all....all that wonderful adult stuff you have to do to pay the bills

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Hope it works okay...

Now...for all of you aircraft afficionado's. Here is a question....what the heck is that Amphib in the outdoor photo ? I think it is a Grumman mfg. But it looks like the wing tilt's. It has turbine engines and pretty large diameter props. Anyone have any thoughts on this ?

The B-29 looked in pretty amazing shape considering the damage it sustained many years ago from the tornado, and if I recall, the tail assembly is from Doc that they did a trade to get a good one for her during the restoration. The cockpit is almost completely gutted and it looks as though they are taking the restoration pretty seriously. I took quite a few other photo's and will post them if you like, but it is mostly engine stuff. Access to the aircraft for photography is kinda restricted because of the indoor contraints in any museum. But for the most part most of the indoor displays are nicely done.

Paul

Sat Apr 15, 2006 6:06 pm

Now...for all of you aircraft afficionado's. Here is a question....what the heck is that Amphib in the outdoor photo ?

Kaman K-16

Also, can anyone explain the significance of the star and #55 on the B-29's number one engine cowling? Just curious.

Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:48 pm

The B-29 looks good!!!

Sun Apr 16, 2006 8:38 am

Hmmm,

Look at that Burnelli!

Sun Apr 16, 2006 8:55 am

Good shots.

Sun Apr 16, 2006 9:35 am

Great shots of the B-29! I was under the impression that the interior was nearly complete about two years ago. Now it looks as though they have gutted it and are in the process of painting. Wonder what the story is? The web site for the 58th Bomb Wing is no longer being updated with restoration status.........

Interior

Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:22 am

The interior been a work in progress for more than two years.

Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:00 am

APG85 wrote:Great shots of the B-29! I was under the impression that the interior was nearly complete about two years ago. Now it looks as though they have gutted it and are in the process of painting. Wonder what the story is? The web site for the 58th Bomb Wing is no longer being updated with restoration status.........


The interior is being painted, hence the "gutted" look. After that the insulation blankets (when they are finished) will go in, once that is completed all the other parts will be installed. She's definitely come a long way!

Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:47 pm

We saw some of the instrument panels being restored at last years WIX Gathering at NEAM. They are works of art! Just BEAUTIFUL!
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