Air Zoo XP-55

kalamazookid · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:28 pm

The Air Zoo XP-55 Ascender is completed and on display. Very impressive looking aircraft, I can easily imagine rows of them sitting on a remote Pacific island...too bad they didn't go into production. This is the only surviving XP-55 out of the 3 prototypes. A few pics (if it works, this is my 1st attempt at posting pics)

O.P. · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:35 pm

Dayum! I didn't know there was one of those left. Thanks for the pics!

Do you know if it is theirs, or if it is a loaner from the gubmint?

Also,

Does the Air Zoo have an XP-67 in the back forty?

Thanks again for the pics. Besides the SC2, that is Curtiss's finest product.

(And no, I'm not trying to start something with the P40 cats

)

APG85 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:45 pm

I thought the NASM had one in storage at the Garber facility - or is this the same one on loan?

kalamazookid · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:48 pm

Quote:

thought the NASM had one in storage at the Garber facility - or is this the same one on loan?

Yup, same one. It as loaned to the museum 3 or 4 years ago.

Quote:

Does the Air Zoo have an XP-67 in the back forty?

Oh, I wish.

APG85 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:56 pm

Looks like they did a nice job with it!

Aircraft Mech Paul · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:26 pm

Hi all,

Looks like they did a nice job with this bird. Nice to see it back on it's legs again. Last time I saw it was at Garber several years ago....it was FAR from this condition then.

GREAT JOB !

Paul

O.P. · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:30 pm

Maaann, Seeing that beautiful plane done got me to thinkin, dangerous, I know, but I'm going to go for it.

Air Zoo gets the 55 on loan, very cool. So, what do you guys think the chances of say, another museum getting, say, the ME410 on loan for restoration and display?

I know it would have to be a reputable place like the Airzoo. Theres a couple of very reputable museums near where I live. I'd put some serious time and money into that.

I'm not knocking NASM. They got a big job. But, I'm beginning to think I'll never see the 410 or the TA152 in this lifetime. Maybe if another place could do an Airzoo deal, it might happen. Heck, let the Airzoo do it.

APG85 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 5:22 am

The same goes for the Swoose......

DaveM2 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:38 am

O.P. wrote:

I'm not knocking NASM. They got a big job. But, I'm beginning to think I'll never see the 410 or the TA152 in this lifetime. Maybe if another place could do an Airzoo deal, it might happen. Heck, let the Airzoo do it.

Champlin did the Shinden Kai, and another museum will get a NASM aircraft to do before the end of the year.

Dave

kalamazookid · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 7:24 am

Quote:

Air Zoo gets the 55 on loan, very cool. So, what do you guys think the chances of say, another museum getting, say, the ME410 on loan for restoration and display?

I know it would have to be a reputable place like the Airzoo. Theres a couple of very reputable museums near where I live. I'd put some serious time and money into that.

I'm not knocking NASM. They got a big job. But, I'm beginning to think I'll never see the 410 or the TA152 in this lifetime. Maybe if another place could do an Airzoo deal, it might happen. Heck, let the Airzoo do it.

I'd be all for NASM loaning out more of its aircraft, but I don't think that they would do something as significant as a B-17 or Me 410. Although they did loan the George, so ya never know... Personally I think it would be cool to give the J7W1 Shinden to the Air Zoo to show how both the US and Japanese were trying the same methods of design during the war.

This is the second major artifact that the Air Zoo has completed from NASM. The first was a Gemini Test capsule, the El Kabong I, which I don't really know too much about. They also have received a V-1 Buzz Bomb from NASM which I haven't seen yet. When they begin the 'Behind the Scenes' tour again, I'll check it out and post more info.

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:36 am

The people at the Air Zoo did a fine job on the XP-55. The NASM definately should loan out more of the collection for restoration and display otherwise it will be 100 years or more 'till the collection gets restored.

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:46 am

Looks great AirZoo, I hope to swing by and see the museum when I'm in the area for Thunder.

I love the idea that the NASM loans some a/c out for restoration and display.It gets things done and shares the wealth, which is a good thing for everyone.

Tim

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 11:24 am

Sweet, I didn't know any survived

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 1:38 pm

Scott, Time for an XP-55 registry!!

k5083 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 1:52 pm

They have been pretty generous with loans over the years, like the Oscar to EAA. And of course they were probably TOO generous in dealing the XP-51 to the EAA, but at least that meant we got to see it fly for a few years.

In the 1980s they had the XP-56, which of course we all want to see sitting beside the 55, loaned out to the Western Aerospace Museum in Hawthorne (then staffed mainly by Northrop retirees) for restoration. The guys in Hawthorne weren't up to it, as they frankly confessed to me when I saw it there. It seems the plane was built around the R-2800 and there was no way to get it out; plus, it was made largely of magnesium which is difficult and at times dangerous to work with. Eventually they threw up their hands and sent it back. So we'll have to wait a while for that one.

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