Seattle MOF Personal Courage Wing

[bdk]

Everything that has been said about this new wing of the museum is true! It is fan-freaking-tastic IMO.

[Dave D]

Great shots bdk! It has been years since I have been down there last. All of the new photos are making me want to go MIA for a while and go see for myself. I especially like the P-40. Awesome!! Very Impressive!!!

Dave D.

[bdk]

You know, I have to wonder about one thing though...

They have a fiberglass P-51 on display. If they replaced all the aircraft in this museum with fiberglass replicas, would my experience have been any less meaningful?

[mrhenniger]

They have a fiberglass P-51 on display. If they replaced all the aircraft in this museum with fiberglass replicas, would my experience have been any less meaningful?

I can remember standing and starring in awe at the B-29 "Bocks Car" when I first saw it. It was the real thing, it was the B-29 "that was there". I don't think I would have been impressed in the same way if it had been a fiberglass replica.

However, in the absence of the real thing or an perfectly reconstructed replica, a fireglass replica surves the purpose of filling a gaping hole in a collection.

Mike

[bdk]

I can remember standing and starring in awe at the B-29 "Bocks Car" when I first saw it. It was the real thing, it was the B-29 "that was there". I don't think I would have been impressed in the same way if it had been a fiberglass replica.

Agreed, but the only WW2 aircraft in the Personal Courage Wing that probably have any combat history at all are the Oscar and the Spitfire (and Champlin's 190 in the main hall). In fact, the 109 is a converted Buchon, and all but about two or three of the aircraft in the WW1 era display were replicas too.

[TimAPNY]

My understanding on the 109 is that it was made in Germany for the Spanish. At some point after the war it was converted to a RR engine and then the museum reconverted it back to a German engine (but not a accurate model for a Bf-109E). I’m sure someone here can give all the engine spec’s or correct me if I was informed wrongly at Champlin.

[mrhenniger]

Agreed, but the only WW2 aircraft in the Personal Courage Wing that probably have any combat history at all are the Oscar and the Spitfire (and Champlin's 190 in the main hall). In fact, the 109 is a converted Buchon, and all but about two or three of the aircraft in the WW1 era display were replicas too.

The hair would not stand on end on the back of my neck, and the awe would not be nearly as significant as with viewing Bocks Car for the first time. However, when you compare the experience of viewing items in a museum setting like the Personal Courage Wing of the MoF, it is much much much better to experience the replica display in person than reading it in a book or on the web. Seeing replicated technology in full in person adds a valuable aspect of appreciation that you would not have by reading (which is important too).

This leads into the diarama aspect of displays. I think the the diarama helps to stimulate the imagination so that a appreciation of historical events is developed. Without it, it more comparable to an artifact in a display case.

Good topic BTW.

Mike

[Randy Haskin]

I grew up in Seattle and have seen the MoF evolve since the Red Barn was first opened in the early 1980s. I even worked there in the early 90s as the Great Gallery was in it's infancy.

The Museum of Flight used to be quite an average collection in an excellent facility. The addition of the Champlin aircraft (along with several other important acquisitions) significantly increased the potency of the collection.

If you yardstick the MoF against places like the USAF Museum, NASM, or Duxford, obviously the MoF doesn't quite stack up. But, with the addition of the Champlin aircraft and the Personal Courage wing, the Museum is literally eons better than it ever has been since opening.

[bdk]

My understanding on the 109 is that it was made in Germany for the Spanish.

I think that most Buchon owners claim that as well...

[DaveM2]

My understanding on the 109 is that it was made in Germany for the Spanish. At some point after the war it was converted to a RR engine and then the museum reconverted it back to a German engine (but not a accurate model for a Bf-109E). I’m sure someone here can give all the engine spec’s or correct me if I was informed wrongly at Champlin.

Definitely NOT built in Germany. It was build by Hispano in Spain in the early fifties and served with them from 1959-66. As bdk mentioned several Buchon owners claim their aircraft is one of the 25 G-2 fuselages sent to Spain in 43...but to date no German manufacturing stamps have been found in any of the surviving aircraft, there are also a couple of identifying structural differences, including the small airscoops near the cockpit, and different antenna holes on the top of the fuselage that distnguish the Spanish built aircraft from the German..these are present on the ex Champlin aircraft.
If you are interested in the type, I wrote an indepth article over two issues of 'Classic Wings', detailing all survivors and including ' then and now pictures' [ some supplied by members of this forum ]. Back issues are Nos. 42 & 43

[TimAPNY]

I guess I have some picture updateing to do this weekend. Thanks. Good to know the truth

[Lynn Allen]

The MOF is a great place to spend the day.We overnighted there last weekend and took a tour through the palce. Where else can you see a SR-71 W/ its engine. It was nice to see the FG-2 and the 190D again. Its not packed wall to wall and you can get some great photo's.


Cheers,

Lynn