Warbird Information Exchange

I think they need an orbiter sitting on top of the 747 carrier. Why not? I assume it will be retired too. Now that would be a cool set up.

In regards to the museum obtaining the shuttle check www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/expansion/index.asp Chris, reference the new building how long do you think it will take to raise 25 million dollars? I cant believe construction is close with such a large amount to raise. Do they have regular donors with deep pockets?

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

WACOYKC, Congradulations on your new position at the Waco Museum! Sounds like good things are happening there. Keep us posted on the progress. Also, do you have a Waco glider on display?

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

$25 million? Chicken feed (that could put builders to work)! Talk to Congress!

No Waco glider on display except the 1930 Waco NAZ Primary glider. We do have the fuselage of a CG-4A with no nose and the remains of a CG-13. Unfortunately, a Waco glider would take up far more room then we have available. We would really like to get a nose section of a CG-4A to display either by donation or loan. If anyone knows of one please contact me.

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President National Waco Club
Curator for the Waco Historical Society Air Museum
Writer for VINTAGE AIRPLANE, SKYWAYS, BARNSTORMERS.COM EFLYER

They have ben working on that for about 10 years. Even while the Cold war Gallery was going up, moning was being put away for the other building. There are some big donors, but not that big. Alot of it comes from money made at the museum and donations. I am not sure what level is complete for fundraising, but the word is that most of it is done, not all.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Although a neat concept for display, the hangar requirements would be enormous. The you would need two tier/level viewing for the public to see the Orbiter from a side angle. The costs for this type of display would be astronomical...but cool

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Back in 1994 I was at Kelly AFB going through Tech School (2T2X1). On one particular day our instructor asked if we want to go see the Space Shuttle down at the flight line. Curiously we all said yes and walked down. I beleive it was Discovery and honestly I was shocked that it was smaller than I had imagined. Even sitting ontop of the 747 it looked small.

they say TV add 15 lbs., I guess.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

The link that someone posted showing the NMUSAF's expansion plans are interesting regarding the shuttle. It sure seems that for such an iconic piece of American history, especially one that is so rare (only 4 airframes left!) that sliding it into a hangar as just one of several aircraft, especially tucked in there with a C-5, is a shame. I would think that they would want to make more of a big deal about it if they eventually got one than that. For most museums, the shuttle would be the crown jewel. Maybe for the NMUSAF it would just be one of several treasures. Hard to say, but it's interesting that there isn't more of an elaborate display shown. I know that it's all about dollars, but if you have to spend $42 million just to (essentially) demil and transport the shuttle, you'd want to go to town on its display.

kevin

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FOUND the elusive DT-built B-24! Woo-hoo!!!

I think it would get a little extra attention. The expansion plan sketch is probably not intended to be taken as a concrete plan. The facilities at the Udvar-Hazy center aren't really that lavish, but I think they did a pretty good job on its display.

Is one new building sufficient ? It seems to me that the USAF will be adding large aircraft to the collection in the coming years and the new building really couldn't house them too. Here are some examples of coming additions in the no too distant future: C-5, C-17, KC-135, RC-135, E-3, E-4, VC-25, KC-10 and C-99. To supplement these there will also be C-9, C-21, C-22, C-26, C-27, C-29, C-32, C-35, C-38, C-40, T-43 & T-29 to name a few.

My guess is that they take it one (maybe two) step at a time. When this next one gets going smoothly, they'll look towards the next expansion project. This seems to be the way they've been going the last twenty years or so. It'll be cool to get even more aircraft on display and not have to take the bus to see the Presidential Aircraft.

At the top of the thread someone said a model at the museum showing what it would look like in 2020 showed a 5th hanger.

Seems like they will eventually need a dedicated Space Hangar. I can't wait to see the President's planes all together in the new hangar with some space...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

There are plans to build a dedicated space Hangar. I think it would be awesome. There is going to be more parking along with another enterance with this new hangar, so that if you want to see something on the other side, you can park and enter near it.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager