Air Zoo Photo Report 12/28/2013
Mon Dec 30, 2013 6:04 pm
I made a fighter sweep through the Kalamazoo Air Zoo on Dec. 28, 2013 to check the place out. Some exhibits had been shuffled around inside the main building but there wasn't too horribly much new worth mentioning. Much work has been done at the East Campus location. Exhibits have been moved around and you're allowed to walk among all of the displays. I liked what they've done at the East Campus. Much improved!
Waco INF
Travel Air Mystery Ship (Replica)
North American B-25J
Grumman G-73 Mallard
McDonnell Douglas A-4D Skyhawk
Grumman F-14A Tomcat
Lockheed SR-71B Blackbird
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt
Goodyear FG-1D Corsair
Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat
General Motors FM-2 Wildcat
Now over to the East Campus we go...
Sopwith Camel in one of the newly arranged restoration spaces...
Grumman TF-9J
Curtiss Robin
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
Heath Parasol w/Floats
General Motors FM-2 Wildcat Recovered on Dec. 7, 2012
Waco INF
Travel Air Mystery Ship (Replica)
North American B-25J
Grumman G-73 Mallard
McDonnell Douglas A-4D Skyhawk
Grumman F-14A Tomcat
Lockheed SR-71B Blackbird
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt
Goodyear FG-1D Corsair
Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat
General Motors FM-2 Wildcat
Now over to the East Campus we go...
Sopwith Camel in one of the newly arranged restoration spaces...
Grumman TF-9J
Curtiss Robin
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
Heath Parasol w/Floats
General Motors FM-2 Wildcat Recovered on Dec. 7, 2012
Re: Air Zoo Photo Report 12/28/2013
Mon Dec 30, 2013 6:09 pm
Can you please pass on the N# of the Curtiss Robin? Thanks!
Re: Air Zoo Photo Report 12/28/2013
Mon Dec 30, 2013 6:10 pm
Very nice photos !!! Out of curiosity what kind of camera / lens do you use??
Re: Air Zoo Photo Report 12/28/2013
Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:07 pm
Can you please pass on the N# of the Curtiss Robin? Thanks!
N7912
Very nice photos !!! Out of curiosity what kind of camera / lens do you use??]
Thanks. I use a Canon 40D with an assortment of lenses.
Re: Air Zoo Photo Report 12/28/2013
Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:12 pm
Nice photos. Thanks for posting. ~J~
Re: Air Zoo Photo Report 12/28/2013
Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:29 pm
Nice photos, thanks! 
The Air Zoo is looking good.
The Air Zoo is looking good.
Re: Air Zoo Photo Report 12/28/2013
Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:31 pm
I was just going through my photos from the 23rd and thinking about posting them. Looks like I don't have to now! Great pics!
I hadn't been to the Air Zoo in about four years, and it was nice to drop in again. There have been a lot of changes, and it was the first time I had seen the addition to the main campus building. It's nice that they finally have room to display most of the WWII aircraft together. Had a good time reminiscing with my Dad and one of the docents of the days when they all used to fly. The Trimotor is apparently now grounded again, but I'm not sure why.
The F-84F also looks very nice in the Thunderbirds repaint out front of the museum. The donated Curtiss Robin is beautiful, and I was glad to finally see the Fairchild 24 and see that the Howard DGA is back on display. I was also surprised to see the Pietenpol hanging in the old building. I must have missed the news when that was donated or acquired.
Looks like they are making nice progress on the Camel and Parasol, and they definitely have their work cut out for them with the Wildcat! The FM-2 seems like it's in a lot worse shape than the SBD was when they got it. From looking at the parts, it doesn't look like they got any of the lower rear half of the fuselage. If they did, it wasn't displayed with the rest of the aircraft. The docent on duty told me the plan is still to restore the aircraft for eventual display at NAS Glenview. It's going to be a long project. The Broussard also looks like it will be a cool project once they get working on it.
Now that I'm back in the midwest, I'll be making a point to stop by more often. Not good to go four years without dropping by your hometown aviation museum!
I hadn't been to the Air Zoo in about four years, and it was nice to drop in again. There have been a lot of changes, and it was the first time I had seen the addition to the main campus building. It's nice that they finally have room to display most of the WWII aircraft together. Had a good time reminiscing with my Dad and one of the docents of the days when they all used to fly. The Trimotor is apparently now grounded again, but I'm not sure why.
The F-84F also looks very nice in the Thunderbirds repaint out front of the museum. The donated Curtiss Robin is beautiful, and I was glad to finally see the Fairchild 24 and see that the Howard DGA is back on display. I was also surprised to see the Pietenpol hanging in the old building. I must have missed the news when that was donated or acquired.
Looks like they are making nice progress on the Camel and Parasol, and they definitely have their work cut out for them with the Wildcat! The FM-2 seems like it's in a lot worse shape than the SBD was when they got it. From looking at the parts, it doesn't look like they got any of the lower rear half of the fuselage. If they did, it wasn't displayed with the rest of the aircraft. The docent on duty told me the plan is still to restore the aircraft for eventual display at NAS Glenview. It's going to be a long project. The Broussard also looks like it will be a cool project once they get working on it.
Now that I'm back in the midwest, I'll be making a point to stop by more often. Not good to go four years without dropping by your hometown aviation museum!
Re: Air Zoo Photo Report 12/28/2013
Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:05 pm
They still have the Hellcat and Wildcat.
But I miss the Bearcat! I liked it when they had all the "Cats"
I was told they sold it to pay the bills to keep the place open.
I think they have a mixed collection of aircraft with no focus on any particular type. They have Navy, A.F., civilian all displayed together. I think they are unique in their amusement park theme. That is one way to pay the bills.
But I miss the Bearcat! I liked it when they had all the "Cats"
I was told they sold it to pay the bills to keep the place open.
I think they have a mixed collection of aircraft with no focus on any particular type. They have Navy, A.F., civilian all displayed together. I think they are unique in their amusement park theme. That is one way to pay the bills.