The Toronto Super Connie discussion...
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 1&start=15
...has morfed into a Museum of Flight discussion to I thought I would start a new thread.
Andrew Semon wrote:
Are the Paine Field and Seattle museum's collections both owned by Boeing? And if so why keep them separate? Is limited space the main reason....
It seems there are still some questions about how the MoF is arranged. I have had the good fortune to visit a few times, so I will summarize.
Both facilities (Boeing and Paine fields) belong to the Museum of Flight. The main display museum is at Boeing field and includes the original Boeing building (the "red barn") although not on it's original site. You can find pictures here...
http://community.webshots.com/album/286673670XwYhII
For those that have not been there, Boeing field is not a remote location with sparse population surrounding it. It is well developed both with industrial/commercial and residential. The MoF is of course surrounded by Boeing facilities. There isn't much room, if any at all, for the MoF to expand into. They would need to take over an adjacent parking lot on one side (one that is well used by Boeing employees), or precious ramp space). The short of the long is that they don't have abundant space like the NMUSAF has to expand into. Their airliners are on display in another Boeing parkings lot across the street (see album #1 above). Also in a Boeing hanger near-by the restored B-17 is stored, as is the B-29 which I believe is still yet to be completed. Does anyone know the status? I have not seen these airframes in storage so I can't tell you much about them.
Also near-by on one of the many Boeing ramps the B-47 is parked...
http://community.webshots.com/album/287569503jQgMYS
http://community.webshots.com/album/253372192pgVPax
As has been mentioned in other posts is the 757 modieded as the F-22 electronic test bed. It actually has a F-22 and canards! There is a facility for the USAF and NATO AWACS programs near-by, and it is not unusual to see AWACS operating out of Boeing field. For pictures check out...
http://community.webshots.com/album/253390407nkruRB
Boeing field is on the south side of Seattle. If you take a 30-45 minute (depending on traffice) drive north though Seattle you will find Paine Field at Everett. This is the site of Boeing's largest production facility (747, 767, 777, and soon to be 787). Paine field also has industries other than Boeing. This is where you will find the MoF Restoration facility...
http://community.webshots.com/album/252127163gDNhxT
You can also find a few other airframes at Paine field park on various ramps if you just drive around a bit...
http://community.webshots.com/album/331348928zooDWd
I haven't been to Seattle for a year now, but I understand a new museum has oppened at Paine field and is attached to a new hotel and conference center. It was to be a museum for the airtransports and was to include a Boeing 247. I don't know if this is where the airliners are destined. I don't even know if it is associated with the MoF or Boeing.
If you happen to visit Paine keep your eyes open for the a few privately operated Warbirds including a Harvard and a Magister. Of couses the Me-262 Project is located at Paine as well, and about a 1/2 north of Everett is the Flying Heritage Collection. If you have the time to travel south of Seattle for about an hour you will find the Olympic Flight Museum in Olympia. Along the way is an AFB. I noticed a pole mounted F-101 near the entrance, but did not have time to investigate when I was last passing by.
Any questions?
Mike
_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.cahttp://www.facebook.com/AerialVisualsDo you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the
The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the
Airframes Database.
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
