A "one" aircraft museum question: What would you w

[Jerry O'Neill]

With what looks like a realightnment of the Air Zoo's collections policy, I thought an interesting question to ask all you WIX'ers would be:

If you were a musuem, flying or static, you could only have one aircraft to display, what would it be and why?

This is regradless of potential income from show appearences, it's specifically as the aircraft choosen relates to or tells the story of avaitions history.

Remember, your "museum" could focus on a particular subject, or the history of aviation as a whole.

My choice would be a DC-3/C-47 for a "general" aviation history museum, and a P-47 for a WWII museum.

What's your choice and why?
(I'll tell you my reasons later!)
Blue skies,
Jerry

[tulsaboy]

I would have a B-24-J-DT, and would fly it in the scheme of the "Tulsamerican." This aircraft flew in the 15th Air Force, 461st Bomb Group, 765th Squadron. I would commemorate the work of the Douglas-Tulsa plant employees, and the crew that flew the aircraft on its last mission on December 17, 1944.

kevin

[Forgotten Field]

The Valiant moved forward, made, or failed more pilots than any other plane in WWII.

[K5DH]

Probably not a surprise, but my choice would be a B-17 Flying Fortress. The B-17 is arguably the most famous and well-known American bomber type of WW2, and many people feel that it made the biggest American contribution to winning the war. It is easily the most recognizable bomber type to the general public. It's a big, impressive airplane. Museum guests can walk through it with a tour guide and get at least a tiny glimpse of what it might have been like to have been there. I've personally always liked B-17s, ever since I was a kid watching Twelve O'Clock High on TV and building model kits.

Dean the B-17 fan!

[jamesintucson]

That's easy. The Space Shuttle. It's the only thing you would get enough people to come and see to keep the doors open.

James

[Tigercat]

Hard to get down to one.......

My museum theme would be WWII.

1) Fighter example-----Republic Thunderbolt

2) Bomber example----Boeing Flying Fortress OR Boeing Superfortress.


Ted

[Mudge]

Need anything else?

Mudge the predictable

OK Jerry...I'll 'splain it.
1) 'cause I love this airplane.
2) Look how many people came to see it when it was out in the middle of nowhere in KY. Think of what it would draw in someplace easy to get to.
I have no figures to prove it but I'd be willing to bet, the promise of seeing 3 P-38s fly at PoF last year brought in a lot of extra people.
Cindy?...Brandon?...Steve?... Bueller?...anyone?

Last edited by Mudge on Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Sean Curtiss]

That's easy. The Space Shuttle. It's the only thing you would get enough people to come and see to keep the doors open. James

Good observation!

Anyway for me:

1) Fighter example - Custiss P-40C or E
2) Bomber example - Boeing B-17C or G

[Jerry O'Neill]

Some of your are leaving off the explanation!

Why are some of you choosing the aircraft you do?

I guess I can live with... "Because it's my FAVORITE AIRPLANE"!,

but I was hoping for some insight into why we are so passionate about a particular type and whether some can step back and look at what story a museum of one could "TELL" the public.

Jerry

[Misterg97]

Tough question ....

how about a C-119 Flying Boxcar ... reason being that's the one I spent most of my time in. ... Maybe not the prettiest ... but for me ... memories galore ....

[262crew]

XB-70

[Jesse C.]

B-24 without a doubt. Hey, I live in San Diego!

For a Fighther, I would have to go with a Corsair, it is a Navy town after all! Maybe name it Lulubelle? Is that right, Jack?

[EDowning]

The Valiant moved forward, made, or failed more pilots than any other plane in WWII.

I doubt this comment. Probably second to the Stearman.

[Django]

It would be hard to pick just one.

Bomber: B-29... FULL of innovation and ultimately ended the war. Most likely done up as Texas Doll.

B-24 is still my favorite bomber though. And if I could have one, it would be fully polished.

Fighter: How can you pick just one? Tomahawk, Mustang, Thunderbolt, Lightening, Hellcat, Corsair? I don't know. I'd most likely go with a Mustang or Tbolt, but the Lightening would certainly be more unique.

For a twin engine choice, I'd have to go with a P-61.

[GARY HILTON]

PV-2...
It's all I got and all I got I have room for!