Heads up about WAAAM, great air museum and more,

[tevake]

I mentioned this place on my R V ing thread.
But want to post about it here so others can learn about this gem of a place!

Located in Hood River Or. An area well worth visiting . The museum is focused on early aviation history. The cloth skin. Wire rigging biplane era. With many diverse planes in the collection. So many design and engineering approaches being tried in that period make for a fascinating experience looking at some of the wildly different planes in the collection.
Also many old cars and motorcycles. Mostly pre 1950. Plus the walls are lined with collection cases and displays you can marvel at.

Plan at least a half day to get a first look thru done , more if really into the old planes
Almost all are in running condition.

https://www.google.com/search?q=waaam+air+and+auto+museum&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari

A few of my pics to give an idea.



From the restoration shop





And back in the main hanger









Just snaps with my phone, but you get the idea

Cheers Richard

[Jim Richards]

Very cool! Thanks for posting this Richard.

[island911]

Richard, if you haven't already, you really should see Paul Allen's collection at Paine field. His is WW2 tech centric, but like you say, So many design and engineering approaches being tried in that period make for a fascinating experience looking at some of the wildly different planes in the collection.

Oh, and many of Mr Allen's planes actually go out and fly. (during scheduled "Fly Days")

[tevake]

That place looks great island911.
Amazing what you can put together when you have a few extra hindered million at hand.

[island911]

Yeah, apparently he has an ME262 being made air worthy. New jet engines being fitted.

While it must be nice to be able to do that, it has to be noted that it's pretty damn nice that he (Allen) does these things and shares them with us. ...I mean he actually makes these things fly! What museum does that?

EDIT ME-262 Jet

[tevake]

I wonder if they are fitting improved engines in the 109. As it's flight time was apparently quite short, that is neat tho.

You are too right, it is great that he and other super successful folks of our times are as sharing as they are.

Lots of the great collections of older times often didn't become access able until the after the passing of the collector. I didn't mean to sound snide in my comment.

Most of the oldies at WAAAM also do fly. The chief pilot was at the get together I attended, and was sharing stories with other pilots visiting there.
Now that would be a gig, chief pilot at an aircraft museum. Would call for building a good relationship with the resto crew, I would think!

As I'm looking around for something interesting to get involved in , car museums or vintage racing team would both seem fun to get to be a part of.

Cheers Richard

[island911]

Yeah, when I said new engines, I meant that he is paying to have new tech engines fitted that will approximate the originals, but use more reliable materials to ensure reliable flight. ...and I mis-typed (ME262, not ME-109 - which has been flying in his collection for years)

However, I was told that while it may become flyable, the FAA rules will likely keep it grounded. :-/ Seems that "experimental" would be the work-around there, but I dunno.

Oh, and if you're roaming in Oregon, check out McMinville's museum. Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum | Wings & Waves Waterpark | McMinnville Oregon

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by island911

...I mean he actually makes these things fly! What museum does that?

Also located at Paine Field:

Historic Flight

Every airplane in the collection is flown.

[LWJ]

On my short list.

[john70t]

If you are near Michigan August 29-30th: Thunder Over Michigan 2015
Kids under 15 free.
Rides in a B-17 or B-25 are $425. and a tax-deductible donation.
(come on, you only live once and will get run over by a bus tomorrow anyways.)