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
Thu Sep 20, 2012 8:57 pm
I spent a couple of days there last month, and it is indeed a great collection. I wasn't over-impressed with Hangar Bay One, to be honest. The main museum has a nice walkway around, allowing visitors to view the hanging aircraft, which the new building sadly lacks.
The really sad sight was the outside ramp, with airframes (even recently-restored ones) rapidly deteriorating in the open air. For example, the (sole surviving) AJ Savage has an inch of green standing water in the cockpit, and the condensation has caused all the interior panels and instruments to corrode badly. The B-25 and PB4Y-2 look much worse than even quite recent photos show, the contents of the restoration hangar are spread out on the ramp due to safety issues with the building, the recently-recovered SB2C Helldiver sits in the open air, as does the newly-arrived Vought Pirate, with no attempt being made to even cover up the smashed canopy - I dread to think what water ingress is doing to the newly-restored cockpit interior. They're not exactly in a dry environment thre!
Still, it certainly is a world-class collection, and I'm sure that they are dealing with their challenges as best they can.