Collings Foundation's AHM Aviation Wing Expansion

[Warbird Kid]

The CF's annual newsletter magazine dropped last week and in it are some very detailed and thoughtfully laid out renderings of the proposed Aviation Wing Expansion. Which will also include the first hangar built on site. Quite a few aircraft in there... This is somethign I've been waiting for since "phase 1" opened up.

https://issuu.com/collingsfoundation/docs/2025_american_heritage_museum_collings_foundatio

I took the liberty of extracting the images from the digital magazine and stitched them together for you to see more easily.

[TheBoy]

What is the group consensus, is the ME-110 a slip early-reveal or is it just a random filler airplane for the renders?

[old iron]

What is the group consensus, is the ME-110 a slip early-reveal or is it just a random filler airplane for the renders?

If using original parts, from what crash site.

I note the Caudron G IV (WWI French biplane used as bomber and trainer). I read somewhere that parts to two Caudron G iVs were found in a barn in French; could this be a reconstruction using some of these original parts? or a complete reproduction?

[Warbird Kid]

Don't forget we also have:

F4U-1A or 1D?
BF 109 in underwater diorama?
Me 109E in Battle of Britain area
P-51D (supposedly will be a combat vet) hanging shooting down Me-262
A6M zero (Where is that coming from?!)
I-16
FW-44
Additional Wildcat AND SBD underneath the carrier deck
C-47 (Guessing it will be a D-Day vet)
B-29 Nose
Sikorsky R-4

[Zachary]

Having just visited the American Heritage Museum for the first time in October of last year - I can attest to the VERY high quality of the museum and exhibits. It's top notch. I have no doubt that any expansion would be the same and look forward to visiting again someday.

Zack

[DoraNineFan]

I'm seeing permanent spaces for the Fw-190, the Me-262 and the Stuka. So perhaps a flight or two and permanent grounding.

[Chris Brame]

Sorry if it's a dumb question, but does Collings have a B-17 lined up for this museum?

[Thomas_Mac]

Sorry if it's a dumb question, but does Collings have a B-17 lined up for this museum?

44-83785
https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDo ... rial=72063

[JohnB]

Looks like a nice static museum. Probably well placed given the population density of the northeast, but a bit out of the way for the rest of us.

But however nice, it's not the same as a travelling flyingmuseum that goes to where the people are.
I can't help but think of all the aging WWII vets who saw the bombers on their tour, people not likely to travel a distance to museums.
Not only was it good publicity for them, but a huge boon to the visibility of the warbird hobby/industry.

Still, I understand the costs even with volunteer pilots and ground crew (a few friends were pilots), ...fuel, insurance, motel rooms.