I find myself (more times then not) while visiting Air Museums, I end up saying to myself: "Boy, if I was in charge, I'd do this... and that... and this...etc". Almost always involving building / campus layouts, and what could be done in the future to better display their aircraft, or better tell the story their museum is trying to tell. I've made several concepts using Photoshop and Illustrator in the past, and I decided to make this kind of a series, and I figured whenever I got the urge to make one, I'll share it with you guys, in case you're curious and like hanging out in "What If" land.
Disclaimer: This is a personal quest to satisfy my own curiosity and create a visual representation of any modifications / additions / etc. to an existing air museum. In no way, shape, or form am I trying to criticize the staff / management of that establishment. I do not represent the featured air museum and these design concepts are purely made from me. I welcome any questions, comments, concerns, and especially corrections of any info from any members of the highlighted museum.
Original ImageMost of you know the B-17G formerly known as "Preston's Pride" along Highway 99 going past Medford Airport in California. This B-17 has been on display in the area for the better part of 60 years and has had some run in with trucks hitting it and vandals stealing parts. Though in the past few years a concerted effort by volunteers has repainted and polished the bird, and I must say, it looks a whole lot better. That being said, I think this plane deserves better and there is a great opportunity being missed here. An F-4 Phantom is also on display outside next to the 17.
Proposed ExpansionMy thought (looking on Google Maps) in that area, is that the solution is only 2000ft away. With an agreement by the USAFM, and the direct involvement of AMVETS (the caretakers of the B-17) the Mefford Field Air Museum would be formed to properly take care of and restore the B-17 back to authentic stock condition for display. Through assistance from the local town government, the original unused hangar (located 2000ft behind the B-17) is acquired to house the plane and additional displays /artifacts about the field. Now I'm not knowledgeable about this specific hangar, but to me it looks like it could be WWII era to house the USAAC training squadron of PT-17s based there during the war. I'm not sure who owns it or the legalities involved. But I think it would make the perfect home for this B-17 and give Tulare an air museum they could be proud of. I am interested to learn any info about this hangar if anyone has any further info.
With assistance from private and state grants, the hangar would be restored back to original condition and the B-17 would go through an external overhaul / restoration process. The plane's wing tips and other extremities would probably be removed during restoration to allow the plane to enter and be positioned inside the hangar for display. Using full rolling casters, the plane would be positioned in place, and then all additional pieces installed back on the plane in situ. The plane's interior would then be detailed and filled out by volunteers for the next several years (similar to the Mighty 8th AF Museum) and allow visitors to see the progress and work being accomplished there. The museum would then be able to start to tell the complete story of Mefford Field as displays are created and built. Maybe a PT-17 project is acquired and restored to represent the 200+ examples used during the war there, not to mention the other random assortment of planes that are either donated or acquired through a GSA loan as the museum expands. The F-4 Phantom could also be brought over to the museum to be refurbished and displayed onto the ramp next to the hangar.
Maybe if the collection expands enough and additional funding is secured, a large pre-fab metal hangar is erected as a secondary display hangar, with a possible smaller workshop / restoration hangar.
And for those missing the spectacle and view of a big B-17 alongside the highway, my solution would be to erect a permanent billboard for the museum in its place, advertising the B-17 and the museum in it's new hangar and how the public can go visit it. That way at least the general public could physically see what happened to the big plane on the side of the highway, and know that it didn't go very far, and that they could visit it.
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