Restoration

Join the Museum Foundation as we begin a journey to restore historic U. S. Army aircraft back to their former glory. Currently, many of the museum’s treasures sit in storage waiting tell their story.

The museum houses over 160 historic aircraft, but only 50 of those are restored and on display in the main gallery. In conjunction with the massive museum expansion, the Foundation is seeking to restore the remaining aircraft so they may be displayed in the new gallery.

Each aircraft will need extensive restoration, stripping away years of wear and tear down to the smallest screw and rivet. Only after countless hours of thorough cleaning, re-fabricating, rebuilding, and repainting will the aircraft be ready for display.

Below are just a handful of the aircraft currently under restoration or awaiting restoration. If you are interested in supporting the Foundation’s restoration project or would like more information, please contact the Army Aviation Museum Foundation at foundation@armyaviationmuseum.org or call 1-888-Army-Avn.

Sikorsky S-59

Better known as the “ABC”, Advancing Blade Concept incorporated a coaxial rotor system allowing for greater speed. This aircraft was designed and built in the late 1970’s and flew in the early 1980’s and reached speeds above 260 knots.  It had two thrusting P&W J60-P-3A’s and a single P&W PT6T-3 turbo shafted engine. The counter-rotating rotors cancel out the desemitry of lift or the stalled are on each others blade affording great speed. The concept is alive and well in Sikorsky’s new “Raider” design.

A Model Huey

The first operational production Hueys, the A models, would go on to change the way the U. S. Military fights on the battlefield. First designed as a Medical Evac. Helicopter, it quickly became apparent that it could be used for almost any mission.

Firestone XR-9B

Also known as the Model 45, a 1940s American experimental helicopter built by the Firestone Aircraft Company for the United States Army Air Forces. Only two (the military XR-9B and one civilian Model 45 example) were built. The XR-9B is a tandem two-seat helicopter powered by an Avco Lycoming O-290-7 engine and two-bladed rotor. It was later re-designated as the XH-9B. The aircraft in the museum collection is the only remaining example.