Warbird Information Exchange

PRESS RELEASE
October 10,2004



The Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport suffered a disastrous fire last night that destroyed the historic hangar that housed the museum. The museum staff was able to move the historic B-17, C-47 and B-25 aircraft out of the building, thus saving the heart of the collection. In addition, all the historic aircraft on display outside of the main building were untouched by the fire. While many irreplaceable artifacts, photos and books were lost in the fire, the Volunteers at the museum are thankful that the aircraft collection remains largely intact. Only a small number of non-flyable aircraft that were in restoration inside the hanger were lost.

The Yankee Air Museum members, staff and volunteers are determined to rebuild the museum facilities and continue the great work that was begun in 1981 by a small group of visionaries who were dedicated to preserving this important piece of aviation and Southeastern Michigan history.

The Michigan Aerospace Foundation, the sister organization of the museum which was formed to plan and fund future expansion of the museum facilities, will now be working hard to raise the necessary funds to re-build the museum as soon as possible. Working with Willow Run Airport and the Yankee Air Museum, the Foundation will be seeking funding and other help from Foundations, Corporations and Individuals as it works to replace what has been lost.

The Yankee Air Museum and the Michigan Aerospace Foundation would like to ask that anyone with an interest in helping to rebuild the museum, please contact the Foundation.

A help hotline can be reached at 734-483-4030

The following people can be contacted to offer your support:

For the Museum, contact:
Yankee Air Museum President, Jon Stevens 734-637-2117
Yankee Air Museum Vice President, Dick Stewart 734-637-8878

For the Foundation, contact:
Michigan Aerospace Foundation President, Dennis Norton 734-971-2750
Michigan Aerospace Foundation Treasurer, Uary Brown, 734-316-2216


Donations may be sent directly to the Michigan Aerospace Foundation:

Michigan Aerospace Foundation
Yankee Air Museum Recovery Fund
P.O. Box 8282
Ann Arbor MI, 48107-8282

Thank you for your help,
Dennis Norton
President Michigan Aerospace Foundation
The Michigan Aerospace Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization

I pulled this from the ICAS boards:

There is now a press release on the museums website. ..

PRESS RELEASE
October 10,2004



The Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport suffered a disastrous fire last night that destroyed the historic hangar that housed the museum. The museum staff was able to move the historic B-17, C-47 and B-25 aircraft out of the building, thus saving the heart of the collection. In addition, all the historic aircraft on display outside of the main building were untouched by the fire. While many irreplaceable artifacts, photos and books were lost in the fire, the Volunteers at the museum are thankful that the aircraft collection remains largely intact. Only a small number of non-flyable aircraft that were in restoration inside the hanger were lost.

The Yankee Air Museum members, staff and volunteers are determined to rebuild the museum facilities and continue the great work that was begun in 1981 by a small group of visionaries who were dedicated to preserving this important piece of aviation and Southeastern Michigan history.

The Michigan Aerospace Foundation, the sister organization of the museum which was formed to plan and fund future expansion of the museum facilities, will now be working hard to raise the necessary funds to re-build the museum as soon as possible. Working with Willow Run Airport and the Yankee Air Museum, the Foundation will be seeking funding and other help from Foundations, Corporations and Individuals as it works to replace what has been lost.

The Yankee Air Museum and the Michigan Aerospace Foundation would like to ask that anyone with an interest in helping to rebuild the museum, please contact the Foundation.

A help hotline can be reached at 734-483-4030

The following people can be contacted to offer your support:

For the Museum, contact:
Yankee Air Museum President, Jon Stevens 734-637-2117
Yankee Air Museum Vice President, Dick Stewart 734-637-8878

For the Foundation, contact:
Michigan Aerospace Foundation President, Dennis Norton 734-971-2750
Michigan Aerospace Foundation Treasurer, Uary Brown, 734-316-2216

I'm a little late in getting caught up on things (Thanks Giving weekend here in Canada). I just go this news. This is terrible news.

I am so glad to here no-one was hurt. And then relieved to here that not all aircraft were destroyed.

I wish all in the Yankee Air Force that you have the strength, determination and enthusiasm to rise from ashes and show the warbird world once again what an excellant history preserving organization you are.

Regards,

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

All--

I'll echo Mike and many others in wishing YAF/YAM nothing but the best as they put this catastrophe behind them and forge ahead, as I know they will. Heard about the fire this morning, oddly enough, from a chap in our church choir who happened to have seen a brief item on CNN. Terrible news, but what a "silver lining" about Yankee Lady, Yankee Warrior and Yankee Doodle Dandy being courageously hauled to safety. Fort and Dak on the ramp in the sun...and Mitchell airborne today...a morale booster: I'll say!

S.

Such a terrible lose to such a giant piece of history. I remember this past August taking great notice in all of the fine details of that building. I am so sorry to hear of this. I am however very relieved that there were no injuries to any of the crew or members. They are not the replaceable things in life. It is great to hear that they got the aircraft out that they could. Very heroic in my eyes!!!! I wish them the best in these up and coming months. Good luck and God speed!

Dave D

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http://community.webshots.com/user/warbirdman_79

Sad news, but I'm really glad to hear that no one was hurt and the B-17, B-25 and C-47 are safe. Great job to those who jumped in and got those to safety.

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www.tailhookstudio.com

I have a question. This is not to try and post blame or insinuate anything. Please do not take it as that. This is the second hanger fire that I can recall that claimed several aircraft, CWH and this one. Are sprinklers systems not installed in hangers? On the Aircraft Carrier we had them. I can't remember about shore-based hangers. I know cost would be a huge issue but what does a TBM, Hurricane, Spitfire cost. Is it the Foam issue? I know water is far from helpful with jet fuel, which is why we used AFFF on board ship. Just looking for some insight.

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www.tailhookstudio.com

Very Sad to hear about the fire.. and hats off to those who saved what they could. My quick
question was the C-60 flyable? How about the other losses, were they flyable as well
or static?

henning

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"The best way to control the future is to create it".

My understanding the C-60 was going to be static.

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www.tailhookstudio.com

C-60 (resto to static)
F-105 (static USAFM)
YOV-10A (static)
L-39C (Flyable, last flown before donation to the museum)
CG-4A (resto to static)
Redwing Blackbird (static)
Pont Du Ciel "Flying Flea" (static)

Besides these aircraft, thousands of artifacts in the museum and library, many irreplaceable were lost.