WIX Archives

NASM Policy Debate for the Weekend

Posted by Joe Scheil on Tue Oct 16, 2001 11:30:30 AM

Open Debate Question:

Regarding the snippets of data on the renovation of the He-219 for display it appears that a full in depth NASM quality restoration is out. The Aircraft will be displayed to a static standard due to costs and workload remaining. Bob Collings wrote about this very issue in a WW some time back and said thus;
"The big ugly secret is that many stored or museum display aircraft are being slowly lost to corrosion. For example, at the NASM, 76 aircraft are on display downtown or 20% of the collection of 364. At the current rate of one aircraft per year a majority of the collection will not make it thru the 200 year backlog."

I have seen several issues brought up in the last few posts on the 219. They don't agree either.

First it should have the proper high dollar restoration because it is the last of its kind and a very significant aircraft for historians.

Second, NASM should spend time/money on important well known aircraft (Hurricane) versus obscure axis one offs.

Third, high cost restos could be farmed out and done privately, then returned or displayed elsewhere.

Fourth, and this is an extension of my ideas, unrare but significant aircraft should be sourced from private donors as tax relief and the one offs should recieve smithsonian attention. Thus the B-17G, P-51D, Hurricane ect.. could be disbursed to a private owner returned to flying condition for a specified time and then after 10-15 years or so returned to NASM for display or continued action as a traveling exhibit.

I believe the collection of NASM is unlike any other and prefer all the aircraft under "one roof" as much as possible, with adequate protection of course. But with such a stunning collection new methods are needed to safeguard all of it for posterity. I approve of the work done on the 219 and hope that all of 50 or 60 stored aircraft could be displayed in a manner that would not harm the possibility of eventual restoration 100 years from now. Hopefully this will come to pass.

Comments...?
Joe Scheil

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