Hey, Bob! Call the Smithsonian!

[Subdeacon Joe]

Smithsonian Air and Space Giving Away Part of its Collection

 

The items are all going to be transferred for free to qualified museums

and educational facilities that will keep the specimens available for

access by the public. The list of items available is quite varied and

includes everything from small personal items such as goggles, helmets

and wristwatches, to aircraft engines, including nine (!) R-985 Wasp Junior engines,

and array of missiles and rocket engines, flight suits major

subassemblies and even complete aircraft. Examples of aircraft available

include the McDonnell XHJD-1 Whirlaway experimental twin-rotor helicopter, a Bellanca 14-13 Cruisair Senior, a Hispano HA-200 Cairo, a Martin EB-57B Canberra, even a Lockheed C-130A-45-LM Hercules

and a bevy of gliders, satellite mockups, aircraft parts and even a

hovercraft. Now a lot of the items are unrestored and will need work,

but at a price of free, good golly!

One item that certainly catches one’s attention is the Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse

presently on display in the Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F.

Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, which looks like you could

just add fuel and go. The museum is reportedly deaccessioning it as this

particular UH-34 has never seen combat, having been used as a trainer

helicopter, and the museum wants to replace it with a machine that has

been shot at for a more authentic telling of the story of the US Marines

that used these craft. Nice to be the Smithsonian. The helicopter’s

listing, being in the care of such a first-class operation indicates “All

equipment that came with the helicopter that is not attached to it is

contained in box A19750823002 with the exception of two items. The VIP

steps that attach to the side of the aircraft and the long-handled tool

to assist with main rotor blade deployment are stored inside the

helicopter’s cabin.” Now that sounds complete!

 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

I'd sure like to see Planes of Fame or Yanks get some of those items.

[Utah Bob #35998]

C130 would make a helluva mancave!

[Apache Hawk 60642]

C130 would make a helluva mancave!

 

 

Shore nuff wood !

 

 

Don't like dim neighbors, well.....just pack up yur man cave and leave !