Adopt-A-Plane Program Goal To Preserve History By Having
Individual Organizations Maintain Displays
George Jones is a man with a plan: to restore the static
aircraft displays at the Air Force Armament Museum. The aircraft
are “dying a slow death” because of adverse weather
conditions that are taking a toll on the 25 displays that surround
the museum, said Mr. Jones, an aerospace museum specialist.
Previously, federal prison inmates assisted the two-person
restoration staff in maintaining the planes.
With the possible closing of the federal prison camp, Mr. Jones
said he is looking in another direction to preserve these pieces of
history. Museum officials are initiating an
“adopt-a-plane” program. The goal is to have an
individual organization responsible for each display aircraft.
The actual work involves preparation, priming and painting the
plane, a job that takes three to five workers about three days.
Aircraft also require pressure washing every six months. The cost
runs from about $600 for smaller aircraft to $1,200 for one the
size of a C-130 Hercules. “The goal is to restore six to
eight aircraft each year,” Mr. Jones said. “There's a
seven-month weather window starting in March to complete the 'care
and feeding' of these displays.”
Mr. Jones speaks passionately about restoration efforts because
he said he knows the important role each plane played in aviation
history and the role they continue to play today. His 24-year
background as an aircraft maintenance officer is only one reason
for his zeal. He said it is the only opportunity for many of
the museum's 100,000-plus yearly visitors to see aircraft up close
and personal. He also contends it is critical that these national
treasures do not disappear from view.
“These planes are so much a part of history,” he
said. “Out of thousands produced, there are fewer than 20
B-17 Flying Fortress static display aircraft let today. If we
don't take care of all of these planes, we'll only be able to see
them in books in the future,” Mr. Jones said.
Several organizations have already stepped up to adopt aircraft
with labor and maintenance costs. In the past year, the C-130, F-4C
Phantom II and B-17 were restored. Maintenance units here have
already claimed six aircraft. “We are able to give back to
the community by providing manpower and experience that would
otherwise be cost prohibitive,” said Col. Larry Hudson, 33rd
Maintenance Group commander. “At the same time, the joint
venture provides our folks an excellent training opportunity,
especially for our entry-level (Airmen).”
“These aircraft are our nation's 'iron children,' and they
are our national heritage,” Mr. Jones said. “Through
the help of our community volunteers, this great part of our
culture will be preserved for our children to experience for
centuries to come.”
(Our thanks to Lois Walsh of the 96th Air Base Wing Public
Affairs.)