WIX Archives

8th Air Force Museum gets a Bf-109

Posted by B Darnell on Mon Jun 30, 2003 08:56:43 AM

From ANN:

Messerschmitt Bf109E-7 Donated to Savannah Museum

Warbird Recovery LLC
tells ANN that it has donated one Messerschmitt Bf109-E7 to the
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Savannah, Georgia. The Mighty
Eighth Air Force Museum is located near the birthplace of the 8th
Air Force which was activated in Savannah fifty three days after
the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is home to many exquisite exhibits
and artifacts from the war. After several visits to the Savannah
museum, directors of Warbird Recovery recognized the value the
Museum brings to the community and the way it preserves history.
Warbird Recovery decided that the donation of a rare and historic
aircraft, that was a primary adversary of the 8th Air Force during
the war in the skies over Europe, would be a great addition to the
Museum collection.

Gordon Page, President
of Warbird Recovery said "Warbird Recovery is pleased that it can
offer a piece of history that will compliment the efforts of the
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. The Museum is world class and has
done an incredible job of educating the general public about the
sacrifices our forefathers put forth to defend our freedoms". C. J.
Roberts, President and CEO of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum
commented "We are pleased to accept the generous offer from Warbird
Recovery and look forward to adding the Messerschmitt to the ever
growing collection of historic aircraft and memorabilia at the
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum".

The Messerschmitt will be in storage at the Mighty Eighth Air
Force Museum until it is decided how it can be utilized at the
facility. The donation will allow Warbird Recovery to move forward
on the restoration of several aircraft as well as the recoveries of
several other warbirds.

Established in 1993, Warbird Recovery is committed to the
international recovery and restoration of rare and historic
military aircraft. Aircraft acquired by Warbird Recovery are
intended to be restored to flying condition and displayed at the
Warbird Recovery Facility in Broomfield, Colorado. Warbird Recovery
also works with Museums and private collectors worldwide to help
fill their collection needs.

In 1983 Major General Lewis E. Lyle, USAF Retired, a B-17
veteran of 70 combat missions during World War II, along with other
veterans began planning the Mighty Eighth Air Force museum. The
Museum honors the men and women who helped defeat Nazi aggression
by serving in or supporting the greatest air armada the world had
ever seen--the Eighth Air Force. Prior to building the museum, the
museum planners traveled throughout the United States and Europe
visiting museums and talking with staff from these institutions.
The very best elements found among these facilities were then
combined to create a dramatic 90,000 square foot museum
complex.

On May 14, 1996, to the applause of 5,000 Eighth Air Force
veterans, their families, dignitaries, and supporters, the vision
became a reality with the dedication of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
Heritage Museum in Pooler, Georgia, just west of Savannah.
FMI: www.warbirdrecovery.com, www.mightyeighth.org

For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=2f6caf1d-5f0c-470c-a5ef-697ed4d91422

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