Speaking of Helldivers/NASM

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:26 pm

Here is a photo of the NASM's Helldiver in storage. www.nasm.si.edu/imagedetail.cfm?imageID=2009 I understand it will be he first plane to be restored in the new restoration facility at Udvar Hazy.

b747cf · **Posted:** Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:30 pm

Here is what it looked like when the Naval Air Museum first got it.

Mark F.

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Sat Aug 21, 2010 7:04 pm

I was in the archives at Silver Hill on Friday, and they were in the process of taking her engine cowling off. Apparently there are some corrosion issues which need to be addressed, among other things... hence the re-restoration.

Cheers,
Richard

Owen Miller · **Joined:** Fri Aug 27, 2004 9:28 pm **Posts:** 614

Good God almighty!! What happened to that thing?
It was displayable when they got it from Pensacola.
I can't believe it was allowed to deteriorate like that.

Garth · **Posted:** Sun Aug 22, 2010 10:22 am

I think those pics show what it looked like when Pensacola/NMNA obtained it. The other pics, showing it disassembled at Garber, are closer to current condition.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Sun Aug 22, 2010 2:06 pm

I think I read somewhere that the markings on the NASM Helldiver were going to be changed to honor a veteran who is also active in the NASM.

Owen Miller · **Joined:** Fri Aug 27, 2004 9:28 pm **Posts:** 614

My understanding is that it will be marked as ADM Don Engen's
bird. Engen was a past director of NASM.

Garth · **Posted:** Sun Aug 22, 2010 5:27 pm

Owen Miller wrote:

My understanding is that it will be marked as ADM Don Engen's
bird. Engen was a past director of NASM.

Correct. ADM Engen's family donated a lot of the money in his memory for the Phase II restoration facility at Dulles, which will also be named for his wife Mary Baker Engen.

Lightning · **Joined:** Fri Nov 05, 2004 7:06 pm **Posts:** 424

Howdy all

Interested to know ADM Engen's history on the Helldiver ?

Lightning

Garth · **Posted:** Sun Aug 22, 2010 7:06 pm

Ask and ye shall receive (iow, wikipedia is your friend

):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_D._Engen

Quote:

Vice Admiral Donald Davenport Engen (May 28, 1924 Pomona, California - July 13, 1999) was an American naval aviator, test pilot, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and Director of the National Air and Space Museum. He was awarded the Navy Cross for action 25 October 1944.

...

In 1944, he was assigned to the USS Lexington (CV-16). He flew a SB2C Helldiver in VB-19, and took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, where he participated in attacks on and sinking of the Japanese aircraft carrier Zuikaku.

Although the available synopsis of his Navy Cross citation ( http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/02_ ... navyE.html ) isn't specific, it's clear from the overall chronology that he won it for taking part in the sinking of Zuikaku.

lmritger · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:57 pm

Ok, I'll stir the pot since no one else has...

This is an SB2C-5. The Zuikaku was sunk on 25 October 1944... unless I'm mistaken, the -5 wasn't in squadron service yet at that point, was it? Anyone? Bueller?

I understand wanting to honor VAdm. Engen's service and fully support it, but I was always under the impression that the Smithsonian restored their aircraft to the exact markings worn in service, not something "representative". Is this incorrect?

Lynn

old iron · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:22 pm

Perhaps the Smithsonian is bending the rules a little in this regard. They had previously painted their P-40 as Don Lopez' "Lope's Hope."

While I also regret the inconsistency, I think it light of the multi-million dollar donation by the Engen family, and Engen's involvement in the developmentof Udvar-Hazy, the painting of the Helldiver in Engen colors can be excused. My guess is that the label will not the inconsistency.

Garth · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 7:58 pm

old iron wrote:

Perhaps the Smithsonian is bending the rules a little in this regard. They had previously painted their P-40 as Don Lopez' "Lope's Hope."

Ahem. It's not a P-40, strictly, but a Kittyhawk IA (semantics, I know), painted in correct cammo for the type and period of service (olive drab/middlestone/sky blue) but with the markings (nat insignia, sharkmouth, name) of Lopez' P-40N from the CBI.

My local IPMS once did a Fact vs. Fantasy special monthly contest. I managed to get his P-40N built, but not the Kittyhawk that's hanging in the museum. But the next time they run that contest ... :twisted:

--Garth

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