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Re: Interesting to note on the NMNA site

Posted by Dan K on Tue Dec 10, 2002 12:35:33 PM

In reply top Interesting to note on the NMNA site posted by JimH on Tue Dec 10, 2002 12:11:11 PM

Hi Jim,

No, that really isn't the case at NMNA; by far, most of their displays are completed and first-rate restorations.

There exist, however, a few exceptions. Although this may have been changed since the last time I visited (2 years ago), I recall one of the FIVE Wildcats they had on indoor display really hadn't been restored at all. It was located in a darkened display area (maybe some cargo net camo thrown partially over it), representing an aircraft of the Cactus Air Force at Guadalcanal. Close examination revealed several locations of where the metal skin was corroded clean through! My guess was that it was a Lake Michigan survivor, had the silt and seaweed hosed off, sprayed with some paint, and set on display.

I was also pretty disappointed with the Flying Tiger P-40 on display. I understand the challenge of finding original parts for early-model P-40's, but this display was rather sad (for example, large dome-headed screws being used in place of dzus fasteners to hold the cowling on) for a quality museum like NMNA.

Best wishes,
Dan

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