FHCAM Museum Visit and Photo Gallery Update

[Vagabond]

Hi Gang,

Did a quick visit to FHCAM last week to check out the new (to me) hangar C and to see the Stuka and 262.

Stuka display looks the same as photos from when it was announced - although it's cool to see in person!

Gallery link:

https://www.vgbimages.com/AirMuseums/Fl ... 824-UPDATE









Please no one get their nose bent out of shape - just having some fun!

[myteaquinn]

Very nice gallery of photos. Thank you for sharing them.

[Mark Allen M]

Very nice to see yet somewhat sad at the same time. This collection is still on top of my list of warbird collections. Paul Allen was a hero of mine when it came to collecting old airplanes. He’s missed dearly and one can only wonder what additional rare aircraft would be flying if he were still with us.

Thanks for posting, really appreciate it.

[JohnB]

When Allen was alive was the Ju-87 project displayed?

I thought (perhaps in error) that he kept projects under wraps.

[mike furline]

What am I looking at here? https://www.vgbimages.com/AirMuseums/Fl ... -MPK6tsN/A
Is this new build, original, restored?

What's the story on the Lancaster cockpit? Is there an airframe associated with it? https://www.vgbimages.com/AirMuseums/Fl ... -gWg45zG/A

[Vagabond]

Mike - I think that’s an engine nacelle for the B-17E. The tail turret has been displayed for years and the ball turret is now on display.

The section in question is part of the new Women in War display. I took a number of images for the experts.

Also -the Lanc cockpit has been there as long as I can remember. I’m sure someone here knows the story of the rest of the aircraft - but I do not.

Cheers!
PH

[Mark Allen M]

What I find as perhaps a lesson or at least an observation. Paul’s sister didn’t hesitate to do away with her brother’s “weapons of war” collection after his death. She realized the collections value in companion to her lack of interest in keeping the collection. This made for a relatively easy decision to sell the collection. This is how I understand it to have developed. I wonder though if she insisted that any sale was to be the whole collection together or no deal.

I may be way off here as well, but this could be close.

As for when Paul was still alive. Again not knowing for certain, but I believe Paul was insistent on secrecy while aircraft were in restoration.

[Mark Allen M]

I’d love to at least see the Stuka restored to static if for nothing else.

[JohnB]

Mention of the B-17 prompts the question...
Is the long unseen B-17 still part of the collection?
(IIRC, it was for sale separately when the collection was for sale.)

If so, anyone know if it is being worked on?
Is Mr. Walton less secretive than Allen about projects?

I wouldn't be shocked if it didn't sell considering its price and the amount of work remaining to be done.

As a friend likes to say about projects...It's only $X million away from being a $X-1 million aircraft.

[kalamazookid]

Thanks for sharing these. The Stuka looks exactly the same as it did when I visited last summer.

[Archer]

Also -the Lanc cockpit has been there as long as I can remember. I’m sure someone here knows the story of the rest of the aircraft - but I do not.

I figured it shouldn't be too difficult to find out which cockpit section it is... but I can't figure it out. So I do hope someone does know the background of that particular exhibit. The only thing I could find, which is a bit of a stretch, is the KB848 cockpit section. I don't know if that is still at the Canadian Aviation Museum but with them also restoring FM212, perhaps they shifted the cockpit section to another museum.

[Thomas_Mac]

Lancaster TW911
https://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossie ... rial=68800

[Archer]

That is interesting, thanks! I was just looking at the story of Lincoln RF342 last week.

[Thomas_Mac]

I don't know if that is still at the Canadian Aviation Museum but with them also restoring FM212, perhaps they shifted the cockpit section to another museum.

Worth noting the Canada Aviation and Space Museum near Ottawa has Lancaster KB944 and cockpit of KB848 while the Canadian Aviation Museum in Windsor is the group restoring FM212, clear as mud?! Sorry for the thread drift!

[Archer]

That helps, thanks! I may indeed have mixed up those two...

Anyway, it's all related information and useful!