Vintage Flying Museum

Flight Journal, Oct 1998 by Olson, Ralph

It isn't a huge building of polished marble halls and bronze statues! This is a working facility where everyday Americans volunteer their time and efforts to restore and preserve derelict aircraft and turn them into airworthy machines.

The Vintage Flying Museum was founded in 1990 as a permanent facility to restore vintage aircraft, preserve aviation-related memorabilia and record firsthand experiences of aviation history. Located on the edge of Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, the museum is housed in a former B-29 hangar that is now filled with the sights, sounds and unique human spirit that were alive 50 years ago. The facility also includes an FAA Aviation Education Resource Center. Nostalgic big-band dances, antique aircraft fly-ins and educational and historical programs have earned the Vintage Flying Museum the Department of Defense status of "Commemorative Community Organization."

The museum hosts a unique flock of warbirds, the cornerstone of which is the only B-17G Pathfinder still flying. In 1944, B-17G 44-8543 came off the Lockheed Vega production line and was secretly transformed into a Pathfinder. In 1979, after 35 years of distinguished flying service, the aircraft was saved by W.D. Hospers from being recycled into aluminum pots, pans and beer cans. On July 26, 1997, after nine years of intensive restoration, 44-8543 took to the skies again with Mr. Hospers in the left seat. Now named Chuckie, the proud B-17G is an airshow star and symbolizes the mission of the Vintage Flying Museum.

For more information, see the museum's website at: www.startext net/homes/vfm/history.html.

-Ralph Olson