Cover photo by Scott Slocum: The Collings Foundation’s P-38 flying with P-38 “162 Skidoo.” Photo below: WWII Europe section of The American Heritage Museum.
Our national Wings of Freedom Tour had a good year. A resounding success has been the inauguration of The American Heritage Museum! After two and a half years of delays, and the challenges of construction, visitors are now welcomed to this remarkable learning environment. We have also made substantial progress on several major artifact restoration projects, including the completion of the 1914 Curtiss Model F flying boat, and near completion of both the F6F Hellcat and Fw 190 fighters. Also, we are excited to announce that two new historic aircraft will be joining the Collings Foundation’s flying collection: a PBY Catalina and L-4 Grasshopper! We faced some big challenges this year. Our 2018 Wings of Freedom Tour was rained out at many stops, and we incurred more engine changes than in a normal year. The costs of a complete refurbished engine and accessories for the B-17 or B-24 approaches $100,000 and in the case of the P-51, is nearer to $300,000. We appeal to you to make a contribution and help us keep this historic Tour operating. The national WWII Wings of Freedom Tour featuring the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell and P-51 Mustang will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2019. It is the longest running tour of historic aircraft in the world. We are dedicated to continue bringing living history to every corner of our country. In keeping with our mission, we are excited to announce that a newly restored dual cockpit / dual control TP-40N Warhawk fighter will join the Tour in the spring of 2019. This iconic fighter will be available for flight training alongside the TF-51D Mustang.
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The Collings Foundation’s greatest achievement of 2018 has been the Preview Opening of the American Heritage Museum in Stow, MA. Visitors have gushed: “There is nothing like this in the world!” Its combination of one-of-a-kind artifacts and immersive exhibits puts the American Heritage Museum on a par with the Smithsonian, Bovington Tank Museum and the National WWII Museum. The WWI Trench Experience will give you goosebumps, and Clash of Steel is magnificent! Standing at the heart of The American Heritage Museum are the most important tanks and artifacts of the famous Jacques Littlefield Military Vehicle Technology Foundation, together with additional major relics from around the world. Walking out on the main floor mezzanine takes one’s breath away. A great expanse of tanks, aircraft, military machines and artifacts representing over 230 years of history, spreads before you in a surreal panorama. 1,200 lights theatrically illuminate the exhibits and dioramas. The responses we have received during the Preview Opening range from “Holy mackerel!” to gasps and low whistles. We will continue to work on signage, display cases and scenics through the winter, and plan on a Grand Opening Ceremony in April of 2019. Watch our website for the date. Highly detailed flying restorations of the F6F Hellcat and Fw 190 fighters will be completed in 2019. The legendary P-38 Lightning is back in the air with two new engines. It took off from Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon and moved to California. Over the desert near Chino, if flew formation with two other P-38s. The Lightning was then transferred to American Aero in New Smyrna Beach, Florida for more detailed work.
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We are excited to announce that, after years of restoration, an original 1914 Curtiss Model F flying boat was successfully flown off Moses lake in Washington and Keuka Lake in Hammondsport, NY; a phenomenal feat for the aircraft - and the pilot! Always on the watch to identify and preserve critical aviation history, the Collings Foundation’s collection of rare and important aircraft continues to grow. We are thrilled to be bringing two historically rare and significant American aircraft back to the United States. Currently in the Netherlands, a PBY Catalina with a remarkable background as a sub hunter, including three confirmed U-boat kills, will be coming to the Foundation. In Austria, we found a L-4 Grasshopper which was flown by the daring WWII commander Major Charles Carpenter. With official approval, he had M-1 bazooka rockets mounted to each wing. Major Carpenter ended up getting 6 tank kills (including two Tiger tanks) - in this L-4 Grasshopper!
The only way we can keep The American Heritage Museum open, and these programs going is with contributions and volunteer support. We hope that you will find enough value in what we do to make a donation, renew your membership, create a sponsorship or volunteer. Consider taking it to the next level and donate stock, real-estate, appreciated assets or add us to your legacy planning. Donations and contributions of any size are always welcome. Guaranteed - - we squeeze the pennies until they scream! From all of us at the Collings Foundation, thank you for your support! We look forward to sharing our facilities, programs and aircraft with you in 2019.
There are many exciting projects and programs that will continue to grow in the future. All of this is made possible by the support of people all around the country. As you can imagine, each of these restorations and operations comes at tremendous expense. It adds up very quickly!
Page 1-2: Foundation Address Page 3-6: Wings of Freedom Page 7-12: American Heritage Museum Page 13-14: Wings & Wheels Page 15-16: Curtiss Model F
Executive Director
Index
Page 17-18: P-38 Lightning
Page 19-20: Houston Page 21-22: Battle for the Airfield Page 23-26: PBY Catalina Page 27: TP-40N Warhawk
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Co-Founder
Page 28: Fw 190 Page 29-30: L-4 Grasshopper Page 31-32: Giving Page 33: Honored Contributors Page 34: Membership
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The
Wings of Freedom Tour
The Collings Foundation is ready to kick off its 30th Anniversary Wings of Freedom Tour. The Collings Foundation’s national Wings of Freedom Tour will be celebrating its 30th year touring the United States in 2019! This is an incredible milestone for all who have put their hearts and souls into this interactive flying memorial for our WWII veterans. To date, the Wings of Freedom Tour has made 3,352 stops. With 30 years of commitment to safety and operations, it is the longest consecutively running historic aircraft tour in the world! The B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine 0 Nine,” B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft,” P-51 Mustang “Toulouse Nuts” and B-25 Mitchell “Tondelayo” were seen by millions of people in 2018 alone. We are very excited to announce that a full dual control TP-40N Warhawk will join the Wings of Freedom Tour in the spring of 2019. Like the TF-51D Mustang, this beautifully restored fighter will be available for flight training. So, if you have always dreamed of flying the legendary P-40 Warhawk, this is your chance! Whether you are an experienced pilot, or have never flown an aircraft, some of the most talented instructor pilots in the world are ready to make your dreams of flying the legendary P-40 Warhawk fighter come true. The 30th Anniversary Wings of Freedom Tour will start in January 2019. The first leg of the Tour will fly to several cities in Florida. From there, it will continue through the southern part of the United States. After the west coast, the Wings of Freedom Tour will head east, across the central and northern states, looping back to Florida early in November. Our World War II bombers and fighters provide an authentic immersion in history you never forget. 3
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Photo by Britt Dietz
Photo: “Quick...Smile!!� Chief Pilot Rob Pinksten in the front seat of the TF-51D encourages the student to give the thumbs up during flight instruction from a Tour stop in Southern California.
Background photo: The B-24 Liberator above the fog as it flies up the coast of California. This B-24J Liberator bomber is the only restored and flying aircraft of this type in the world.
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The Wings of Freedom Tour captures and retells the stories of our airmen and veterans. Exploring inside their historic aircraft, particularly in flight, is like traveling back in time. There is no better way to appreciate the sacrifices made by our young men and women during WWII. Experiences like these have never been more critical. The Collings Foundation promises to keep these planes and their histories alive for today’s young people and those in generations to come. We strive to engage people of all ages, and inspire their interest in understanding our history. The more we know about our past, the better informed we are when making choices for our future. World War II was the most horrific conflict mankind has ever seen. In WWII, more people were killed (estimated between 50-70 million), more property destroyed, more lives devastated, more money spent and more far-reaching damage caused worldwide than any other war in history. The Wings of Freedom Tour connects people to this critical era in human civilization, providing thoughtful examination and creating a bridge between the past and the future. Photo above: B-24 Veteran Mr. Walter Hushak receives an honorary plaque commemorating his many years as a Tour Stop Coordinator during our stop in Waterbury, Connecticut. This was presented by our newest Waterbury Stop Organizer Jim Ketcher who has taken over the reins for Walter. These fantastic gentlemen are looking forward to seeing everyone again when the Wings of Freedom Tour returns to Connecticut around August, 2019!
See our facebook page for the latest pictures, schedules and happenings. www.facebook.com/collings.foundation/ Photos by Britt Dietz 5
Please come out and support the Wings of Freedom Tour. Operating these WWII bombers and fighters is extraordinarily expensive! Volunteers are essential for keeping the Tour operating. We rely on people like you to help promote the Tour, engage local schools and assist in operations. Renewing your membership, enjoying a tour through the aircraft or joining us for a flight all support the immense expense of keeping the aircraft flying. We eagerly anticipate starting our 30th year stronger than ever, and most importantly, we are looking forward to sharing our WWII history and these amazing aircraft with you for generations to come.
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Photo above: The Collings Foundation’s B-25 Mitchell was built at the North American Aviation factory in Kansas City, KS as s/n 44-28932 and was accepted by the United States Army Air Corps on August 3, 1944. Instead of heading for combat, 44-28932 served in the United States as part of the AAF Flying Training command for the remainder of the war. Her training duties continued after the war at over twelve different bases in the US until January of 1959 when 44-28932 was dropped from USAF inventory as surplus and purchased by Earl Dodge of Anchorage, Alaska. Over the next twenty-five years, B-25 44-28932 flew as a civilian-operated forest-fire fighting aircraft in the Pacific Northwest. In 1984 the Collings Foundation acquired 44-28932 from Bob Schlaefli of Moses Lake, Washington making it the first World War II bomber aircraft to be brought into the collection. The B-25 is currently painted in the markings of the original “Tondelayo” that flew with the 345th BG. For more information on the B-25 Mitchell see the WWII collection page on our website.
Volunteer Go Flying Make a Donation Background photo: The B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine 0 Nine” just retracting the landing gear as it takes off. This B-17 is one of nine currently flying in the world.
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F E AT U R I N G
T H E
JACQUES M. LITTLEFIELD COLLECTION
The Collings Foundation is proud to announce the Preview Opening of the new American Heritage Museum in Stow, Massachusetts. The American Heritage Museum (AHM) opened to the public in 2018 for a special preview as the Collings Foundation nears completion of this extraordinary facility. The Museum is housed in a 70,000+ square foot building located at the Collings Foundation’s headquarters in Stow, Massachusetts. The concept of the American Heritage Museum began when the Foundation was selected to receive the massive collection of tanks, armored vehicles and military artifacts from the family of Jacques M. Littlefield in 2013.
Picture above: The crew that served in the Abrams tank now on display at the American Heritage Museum talk about the day their commander George Ulloa was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Iraq. This amazing heart felt interview is featured in the 2001 - Present / War on Terror exhibit.
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Jacques Littlefield’s fascination with military vehicles began in childhood. From his earliest days, he studied and created intricate models of tanks and military machines. His first remotecontrolled scale model tank was completed in college. Jacques acquired a full size military vehicle in 1975, a World War II era M3 Scout car. By 1998, his collection had grown to over 200 tanks and vehicles. To manage these, and to restore more, Littlefield established the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation in Portola Valley, California. Following a decade-long battle with cancer, Jacques died on January 7, 2009. Over his lifetime, Littlefield amassed the world’s largest privately held collection of tanks and military vehicles in the world. Receiving this historically important and extensive collection was a tremendous honor for the Collings Foundation. Exhibiting these artifacts in the most meaningful way possible is our duty. We designed the new American Heritage Museum to fully engage people in understanding our turbulent past. In this remarkable place, American history will be explored, studied, and most of all, remembered. Through educational interpretation, and a chronologically arranged series of dioramas and exhibits, the American Heritage Museum will bring the history of our veterans to life. Entering the building, visitors first encounter a Revolutionary War exhibit, featuring an authentic 1795 cannon. Patrons then move into an interpretive theater, where a stunning new educational film explains our American heritage. Executive Director Rob Collings narrates the film. He introduces the audience to our nation’s beginnings in the Revolutionary War, where the foundations of our democracy took shape. As he recites those famous first lines from the Declaration of Independence they become illuminated on the theater wall. “When in the course of human events it becomes necessary...” Historic footage and voices emerge, accompanying the compelling narrative of our country’s early days. The colonies were primarily Englishmen who left to pursue religious and personal freedom. Increasingly, they faced numerous new taxes and regulations without any representation. To resist the crown was treasonous, and traitors were hung. The colonists were farmers and merchants facing the most powerful nation in the world. Our resolve to guard freedom was tested throughout our history, time after time. After defeating the British, our country adopted a Constitution. At its foundation was the belief that “all men are created equal.” Four score later, this bedrock of our democracy was challenged in the Civil War. Over 600,000 American lives were lost. It was America’s greatest tragedy. But, it was not our last fight for freedom. The film follows a series of difficult military choices Americans have faced, concluding with the tough decision to send our 9
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Picture above: The WWI Trench Experience exhibit. On the far side is the life-figure of WWI nurse Helen Boylston. Her character narrates a story of the dire conditions in the trenches during the 1918 Battle of Saint-Mihiel, France. Captivating projections of the battle and the soldiers involved play out on the various screens and backdrops. Artificial horizons depict a vast war-torn landscape. The perspective provides a sobering look at the terrible conditions our soldiers endured in the “war to end all wars.”
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military overseas in what in now called World War One. At this point, the film ends and the doors open to a brutal WWI trench. Attendees move through the dark, oppressive landscape. Visual and tactile effects are brought alive by sound and story, creating an intense immersion experience.
led by General John J. Pershing of the United States. The attack at Saint-Mihiel was part of the plan by Pershing to have the Americans break through the heavily trenched and fortified German lines and capture the city of Metz. It was the first offensive launched primarily by the United States Army.
The setting of this exhibit is the bleak, frightening, When people step down into the trenches, they see battle-torn landscape of Saint-Mihiel. The battle of and feel the terrible conditions of the time and hear Saint-Mihiel was a major WWI clash fought from the recollections of the war spoken by WWI nurse September 12th to 15th, 1918. It was the first battle Helen Boylston of New Bedford, Massachusetts. to involve the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) 10 www.collingsfoundation.org 800.568.8924
Leaving the WWI Trench, visitors go into an exhibit which explores the interwar period between WWI and WWII, called War Clouds. In this place, the buildup of conflicts in Europe, Japan and the Pacific can be witnessed. It culminates in 1941. A screen playing out the vicious attack on Pearl Harbor lifts, revealing the main museum floor. As visitors depart the War Clouds exhibit, they are suddenly granted a commanding, jaw-dropping view of the main floor. The expanse of the collection seen from the mezzanine is astounding. The variety and quality of exhibits and dioramas are second to none. On the right side, America’s mobilization into WWII and incursion throughout Europe is presented. Here, dioramas portray critical events in North Africa, The Italian Campaign, The Arsenal of Democracy, Clash of Steel, The Eastern Front, D-Day, The Battle of the Bulge, 11
The Crossing the Rhine, The Battle for Berlin, The Defense of the Reich and Liberation. On the left, The Pacific Theater exhibit is featured, with a powerful diorama depicting the place WWII started and ended for the United States. Beyond this, visitors continue following dioramas from Korea, Vietnam, The Cold War, The Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq and, lastly, The War on Terror. The War on Terror / 9/11 exhibit includes a piece of a girder from one of the World Trade Center buildings. This display provides a special connection to today’s audience and looks at the far-reaching effect the 9/11 terror attack had on our country and lives. The exhibit highlights the extraordinary technology of modern warfare with the presentation of two IED (improvised explosive device) robots. These types of robots have successfully diffused over 50,000 explosive devices.
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Visitors will get a close look at the only M1A1 Abrams tank on public display in the world! (Marine Corps Museum loan) They will also see a moving video, documenting the experience of the last crew who served in this tank. On August 3, 2006 this Abrams was on a mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The crew was charged with keeping the main supply route from Fallujah to Ramadi open. Tragically, the tank commander Sergeant George Ulloa had his head out of the commander’s hatch. He was hit by a piece of shrapnel and killed. To hear the tank crew recall that fateful day is a powerful reminder of the terrible cost of war, and the consequences it has on our veterans and their families. The American Heritage Museum advances the Foundation’s mission to collect, preserve, study, and present objects of historical significance and national heritage. We will continue to work on exhibits and signage through the winter, and will have an official opening in April, 2019. AHM will be a center for discovery and learning, attracting school groups, veterans, historians and teachers. Through on-site experience and educational outreach,
Photos by David Watts, Jr.
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the AHM will enhance history, social studies and STEM programs in the community. The Foundation seeks to establish endowments for the continuing development of educational programs and lessons aligned with national curriculum standards. We also need funding for visits, including transportation costs, for students and teachers. We appeal to you to make a contribution of any size to the American Heritage Museum. Education endowments will enhance our ability to engage our students and younger generations in the American heritage experience. AHM features some of the rarest historical artifacts in the world. These include an American WWI tank, Kommandogerät 40 (WWII German rangefinder and mechanical analog computer for directing anti-aircraft guns) a Higgins Boat that survived D-day, an LVT-(A)4 that survived the Pacific battles, a Panther tank, a German Sd.Kfz.222 reconnaissance vehicle, an IS-2 tank, an Me 109 fighter, a Scud B missile and launcher, an original section of the Berlin wall and many other unique pieces.
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Wings & Wheels American Elegance June 15th & 16th, 2019
The Collings Foundation facility and museum in Stow, Massachusetts has a collection of over 90 automobiles, race cars, aircraft and carriages. Nowhere else in the world will you be able to see Fred Duesenberg’s 1932 Duesenberg, Al Capone’s 1940 Cadillac and Michael Andretti’s 1995 Lola/Ford XB race winning car, a world renowned historic aircraft collection and the extraordinary American Heritage Museum all at one location. Every June, the Collings Foundation hosts an event that showcases the Foundation’s fantastic collection. The event is called “Wings and Wheels - American Elegance” and happens over Father’s Day weekend. The finest classic automobiles within the Collings collection come out for an exposition of grand pageantry. To see the gleaming aluminum bonnet of the 1927 Rolls Royce Springfield Phantom 1 Phaeton in the sunshine takes the breath away!
Top picture: The 1931 Chrysler CG Imperial is presented to the adoring crowd. Bottom: Audience participation! The 1931 Chrysler Model 72 roadster needed a little help when the starter failed.
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It is a wonderful sight watching these beautiful cars driving around the grounds with the chauffeurs and passengers in formal dress during a colorfully narrated description of the event. Equally entertaining as it is educational!
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Picture: Al Capone and his henchmen arrive in his 1940 V-16 Cadillac. The inside joke to Stow, Massachusetts residents is that he is surveying the grounds for his new casino and speak-easy.
Photos by David Watts, Jr.
This is also an ideal time to get personal tours through the entire collection. There is so much to learn about all these incredibly rare artifacts. The staff and docents take groups on a true adventure through the diverse and rare collection. 2019’s “American Elegance” event is something to look forward to! We will have two ‘new’ original aircraft on display: the 1909 Curtiss Pusher and a 1914 Curtiss F flying boat. The new American Heritage Museum will be in full swing by then. Mark your calendars: June 15th and 16th, 2019. For more information on Collings Foundation and American Heritage Museum events visit our website: www.collingsfoundation.org
Picture: Collings Foundation museum docents Mike Manning and Dale Seymour (far right) take a group on a tour through the hangar collection. Here you see Mike Manning describe how a German panzerfaust works. Volunteers are the backbone of everything the Collings Foundation does. If you are interested in volunteering either in Stow, Massachusetts or with the national WWII Wings of Freedom Tour fill out the volunteer form on our website under the American Heritage Museum page.
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It Flies!
The world’s only fully restored Curtiss Model F flying boat takes to the skies.
1914 Model F
“...airframe parts of our Curtiss were discovered in the rafters of an outbuilding in New Haven, CT, when the new owner acquired the property. He brought all the parts home originally thinking that they were from a windmill. Later, realizing that they were aircraft parts, he took them to the NASM Smithsonian Institute and the Glenn Curtiss Museum where they confirmed the pieces were from a Model F. The find consisted of all the tail surfaces (vertical, horizontal, elevators and rudder), one aileron, the wing struts, all of the flight controls systems, the assembly for the engine start hand crank, some smaller parts and most important, the original, verified, Curtiss Aeroplane Company F boat data plate mounted on the pilot’s control column!” Background photo: The Curtiss Model F flying boat reaches a “high enough” altitude during its maiden flight off of Moses Lake in Washington. Photos from Brayton Tams. 15
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Article below was written by Charles H. Featherston on the day the Curtiss F boat flew for the first time since restoration. Featured in the Columbia Basin Herald.
MOSES LAKE — It was quite a little gathering along the North Shore of Moses Lake Tuesday morning (September 18th) to see — or at least hopefully see — a piece of history take to the air. “There should be no excitement,” said Bruce Brown, an East Wenatchee native. “It should be nice and calm and maybe even a little boring.” “It won’t be boring,” his wife Janet responded. “It’ll be awesome if they can get it up and fly it.” ...If. While everyone was hopeful that this 104-year-old restored airplane could fly, no one was entirely sure it would. The plane at the center of attention was a Curtiss Flying Boat Model F, Originally built for the U.S. Navy in the run-up to the First World War. While the Navy eventually passed on the plane, over 300 were built and sold to the Brazilian, Italian, and Russian Imperial navies. Curtiss, which still exists as Curtis-Wright Aviation (though the company no longer builds aircraft), is best known for the JN-4, the “Jenny,” a ubiquitous biplane that rolled off assembly lines in the thousands during WWI and was the mainstay of many barnstorming aerial acts during the 1920s.
and exhibits one of the world’s largest collection of rare historic aircraft. With the help of Century Aviation’s master craftsmen, the fuselage and wings on the flying boat were newly fabricated, but Nutt said the plane contains about 400 original parts, including the engine. The flying boat will also find its way into the Collings Foundation’s collection after a stop at the Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, N.Y. “They want all their aircraft to be flyable, but I want to fly it just to fly it,” Nutt said. “It’s fun. I’ve spent four years waiting for this.” It took some work, however, for test pilot Rob Kinyoun, who also flies for Jet Blue, and the ground crew to get the Model F airborne. The old engine was fussy, and even though it started up on the first attempt, various little problems kept the plane on the water and out the air for much of the day before this little piece of aviation history was airborne in mid-afternoon. “I’ll fly up 10 feet, or maybe 50 feet, depending on how it feels,” Kinyoun said earlier in the morning. “A little higher is actually safer. It gives you more time to think.”
The Model F being slowly towed into Moses Lake is the last of its kind still operating in the world, according to Century Aviation, an East Wenatchee company specializing in airplane restoration. “It crashed in 1915 in East Haven, Conn., and was dragged out and put into a barn and just left there,” said Bill Nutt, the plane’s sponsor. “They thought that they would restore it, but they never did.” Nutt has helped in the restoration of a number of old aircraft, including a 1909 Curtiss Pusher, currently in the possession of the Collings Foundation, which operates
Top photo: All the wires and brackets are checked and double checked as the flying boat is prepped for flight.
For more information and video of the Curtiss and other rare aircraft see our website.
Bottom photo: The beautifully restored OX-5 engine nestled within the fine woodwork of the Curtiss.
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Photo: The Collings Foundation’s P-38 Lightning was flown from Oregon to American Aero Services in Florida for final restoration and application of a protective coating. We welcome discussions with potential sponsors to select an honorary paint scheme. If this interests you, please contact the Foundation as soon as possible. We encourage you to make a donation to the restoration and on-going operation of this incredible fighter. 17
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This formidable and majestic fighter will be available for air shows, fly-ins and memorial events through 2019, and beyond. For more information on this aircraft, see our website. To book this fighter for your next event call 800-568-8924. Background photo by Britt Dietz
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P-38 Lightning Up & Flying!
The Collings Foundation’s P-38L-5-LO was flown from Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon to Chino, California after installing two fresh engines and undergoing a thorough inspection. While in California, P-38 44-53186 was able to fly with some other legendary P-38 Lightings such as P-38 162 “Skidoo” and P-38 “Thoughts of Midnight.” (There are approximately 8 flying P-38s in the world.) The Foundation’s P-38 was then flown to American Aero Services in New Smyrna Beach, Florida for further restoration.
Photo: The Collings Foundation’s P-38 Lightning flying formation with the P-38 “Thoughts of Midnight” and P-38 “162 Skidoo.”
P-38L-5-LO “44-53186” was one of a
hundred thousand plus aircraft ordered in fiscal 1944 by the U.S. War Department. This P-38 was designated to become the photo reconnaissance version of the Lightning. By 1965, there was little call for the utilitarian P-38. Our P-38 “186” was sold to Bill Harrah, hotel and casino owner and a noted collector. The P-38L was eventually moved to McMinnville, Oregon, becoming a valuable crown jewel of the Evergreen Museum collection. Still registered as N505MH, she was offered for sale. In 2016, with the help of sponsors, the Collings Foundation was able to add this magnificent fighter to the Foundation’s operations.
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F-4 Phantom “Spooky” logo
Photo right: Unique perspective of the P-51 Mustang “Quick Silver” flown by Scooter Yoak in hot pursuit of the Collings Foundation’s Me 262 “White 1” during a practice flight in Texas. To see more information on the Me 262 and other aircraft operated out of the Houston facility see our website. 19
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Preserving aviation history in honor of our Vietnam and cold war veterans The Collings Foundation’s Vietnam Memorial Flight (VMF) aircraft are based at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. This facility is home to our F-4 Phantom, TA-4 Skyhawk, F-100 Super Sabre and UH-1E “Huey” helicopter. We also operate the T-33 Shooting Star and Messerschmitt Me 262 from this location. Keeping these aircraft in top flying condition requires tremendous specialized knowledge and dedicated work. No other group or foundation preserves flying Vietnam and Cold war jets in tribute to our veterans. Our F-4 Phantom is the only civilian operated aircraft of its type in the world. The F-100 Super Sabre is one of only two in civilian operation. These aircraft take to the skies for veteran ceremonies, flight experiences, living history events and air shows. Seeing these amazing planes flying overhead is an awesome sight. Flying in one is breathtaking! The Collings Foundation offers flight training and flight experiences in the TA-4 Skyhawk, F-4 Phantom, Huey helicopter and Me 262. These jet and helicopter flight experiences and training programs are conducted out of our Houston facility. The Huey helicopter is also available for flights at other Texas locations while it travels with the Wings of Freedom Tour.
Flight Experience & Flight Training Programs
F-4 Phantom and TA-4 Skyhawk flight experience and training programs: Each participant will take part in academic sessions on the aircraft, which will include presentation, safety procedures, ejection seat training, and cockpit orientation. Approximately 40 minutes of flight time from engine start to shutdown. TA-4 Skyhawk: $8,000 F-4 Phantom: $15,000 Messerschmitt Me 262 Unusual Attitude / Upset Training Flight: Requirements: Pilot license with multi engine rating and current 3rd class medical. Cost: $5,000. Background photo: The Phantom Phlies! After years of engine and systems maintenance, the F-4 Phantom made a victorious roar overhead as it flew in formation with the Collings Foundation’s F-100 Super Sabre “Misty 1.” We have an active list of people currently scheduled to fly. Please contact us if you would like to put your name on this roster. Keep and eye on our web site and eNews for the most up to date information regarding our Houston operations. Background photo from Scott Slocum
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BATTLE FOR THE AIRFIELD
WWII Re-enactment and Veterans Roundtable - October 12th and 13th, 2019 The Collings Foundation’s World War II re-enactment gets better every year! In 2019, we will be celebrating our 12th annual “Battle for the Airfield” including the treasured veterans roundtable discussion. It will take place on the Collings Foundation’s grounds in Stow, Massachusetts over Columbus Day weekend, October 12th and 13th, 2019. This extraordinary event immerses visitors in an historic environment, and also provides the rare chance to hear stories directly from WWII veterans. Every year, over 300 re-enactors from around the country converge on Columbus Day weekend for this special event. These re-enactors are walking encyclopedias of WWII history! Showing off authentic uniforms and accessories in military camp settings reminiscent of 1944 Europe, they demonstrate and share prized insight. Visitors walk through the camps, populated by the re-enactors, and are transported to another place and time. The re-enactors are seen preparing food, playing music, and taking care of their equipment. In this setting, people of all ages become actively engaged in WWII history on an intimate, human level.
Hearing the re-enactors recount battles, losses, and hardships exposes the true cost of war. By making WWII history alive, we hope visitors will better understand the price that has been paid for our freedom. Democracies have risen and fallen in the past. History is a wonderful teacher, we must listen well to her. All of this is center stage during the weekend event. The highlight of the day is a powerful “Battle for the Airfield” re-enactment. We will present this performance twice each day. Visitors will enjoy a panoramic view of a fierce, realistic conflict. Safely produced, with blank ammunition, this powerful spectacle leaves visitors awestruck! As the mock battle begins, Axis forces have captured a key airfield in Germany. It is up to the Allied forces to occupy the airfield and further their advancement. Tanks, troop carriers and equipment of all kinds push through the lines. It is loud, captivating, and quite startling. The new American Heritage Museum will be open to the public throughout this weekend. We welcome you to explore its exciting exhibits, artifacts and dioramas. Tickets for the 2019 re-enactment will be available on our website beginning in September.
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Living History All of the Collings Foundation’s programs, and its American Heritage Museum, engage people in history through the human experience. First and foremost, we are story tellers.
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Prime examples of this are the re-enactors and veterans who participate in our programs and events. At “Battle for the Airfield,” for example, you could hear Navy coxswain Ed Brisbois (top left) recall bringing so many dead and injured Marines off Iwo Jima. His true spoken words about that horrid beach are unforgettable. Re-enactors tell the stories of our history through role playing. They represent characters from a time we can not touch, connecting us to history through dialogue and costume. The combination of re-enactors, veterans and active service members integrated in our programs creates an indelible history lesson.
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If you are a veteran and would like to share your story at one of our events please contact us.
1. Ed Brisbois, WWII Veteran Higgins boat coxswain, Iwo Jima 2. John Katsaros, WWII Veteran B-17 POW and French Underground 3. John Kelly Portraying Rear Admiral Fresius 4. Conor Regan Portraying a medic from 101st AB 5. Sarah Bennett Portraying a WWII French citizen 6. Ted O’Sullivan Portraying a Lt. Colonel under Runsdadt and Rommel 7. Graham Kist Portraying a common Soviet infantry soldier 8. Michael Musto Portraying Russian soldier Alexei Viktorovich Sokolov, Lenningrad, May, 1945 9. Hobie Saunders Portraying 2nd Battallion Raider with service dog ‘Doc’ 10. Jon Auger Portraying 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Air Borne 11. Laura Grzybowski Portraying 2nd Lt. WAC assigned to the Signal Corps. 12. Sun Feiyang Portraying 38th Chinese Expedition Force Infantry in India / Burma
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Portrait images from the ongoing project “ENTHUSIAST” by Ashton Worthington, a commercial photographer based in Brooklyn, NY. Ashton is inspired by the way people from incredibly disparate backgrounds come together and find identity and build family and community through costume - and of course by the rich visual creativity. Ashton’s goal is to document and celebrate the passion and vast array of cultures and subcultures that are connected by these common threads. ashtonography.com / @ashtonography on Instagram
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PBY-5A
“…the only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril.” - Winston Churchill The Collings Foundation is restoring the oldest flying PBY back to its original combat condition, which included three U-Boat kills. 23
Original markings of PBY 73-P-9 of VP-73.
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Catalina
PBY-5A s/n 300, BuNo. 2459 | Built in 1941 | In Service from 1941 - 1945
The Collings Foundation has acquired the most historically rare PBY in the world.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the only part of the Second U-Boats and one damaged that never sailed again. It World War that truly worried Winston Churchill. That is the USN’s highest scoring U-Boat distroyer aircraft the Island Nation was under siege was not new, but the in history and the oldest operational PBY Catalina, effectiveness of the Kriegsmarine’s U-Boat campaign having been flown continuously since its construction. was very clear. The British Isles were being starved by the actions of the U-Boats. The Allies first triumph in On the production line during the attack on Pearl the Battle for the Atlantic was modifying the prewar Harbor, Bu. No. 2459 was one of the first five PBYPBY Catalina patrol plane into the ASW, for Anti5A amphibians built. Due to extremely hazardous sea Submarine Warfare. The PBY Catalina was capable conditions off Iceland, its group was sent to VP-73 as of excellent endurance (15-20 hours) over the hostile soon as they rolled off the assembly lines. Accepted by North Atlantic. It began to protect convoys before the the Navy on December 22, 1941, Bu. No. 2459 was advent of aircraft carriers and the evolution of surface the fourth amphibious PBY built for the United States ship technology were able to assist them. PBY type Navy. It was pressed into action immediately upon aircraft destroyed 38 German U-Boats during the war. arrival. Assigned to VP-73 as aircraft number 9, it was Our PBY, Bu. No. 2459, accounted for three destroyed the first PBY to sink a U-Boat. 24 www.collingsfoundation.org 800.568.8924
The ASW detachment in Iceland had been attempting to sink a U-Boat for some time, and the commander of the base, believing that too many late nights at the “O Club” were responsible for the lack of success, had closed the club. On December 22, 1941, Lt. RB Hopgood’s crew in 2459 discovered and sunk U-464. After seeing the sub’s crew rescued by a fishing boat, and an oil slick from the sunken vessel, Lt. Hopgood sent an “in the clear” radio message that would become iconic in the USN’s patrol community: “Sunk sub, open club!” That history alone makes Bu. 2459 the one to have! But it brought additional good fortune to the Navy. On October 5, 1942, Bu. 2459 was flying the last P-73 convoy mission of its deployment, protecting HX-209. The plane’s crew, headed by Chief Aviation Pilot M. Luke, discovered U-582
Top photo: PBY Bu 2459 displacing quite a bit of water on landing. Bottom photo: PBYs flying formation over a base in Iceland.
From left to right: Peter Leeflang, Rob Collings and Arjan Dros celebrating the transfer of this legendary PBY. Peter and Arjan were co-owners and operators of PBY 2459.
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on the surface. They sunk this sub as it was organizing a wolfpack attack. The U-Boat, one of 16 deployed against the convoy, went down with all hands. This attack brought VP-73’s score to two sunk, both by Bu. 2459. Its success was exceptional. Only half of VP-73’s allocated PBY aircraft survived their first deployment. Bu. 2459 was the only one of those first 5 PBYs built that flew until the end of the war. Hazardous sea conditions, and even friendly fire, were deadly to the Catalinas. Notably, a sister PBY, Bu. 2458 is listed as being wrecked on June 20 by friendly fire from a nervous convoy and subsequently destroyed on landing. Rebuilt at a depot, it reentered the fleet assigned to VP-84, in Reykjavic, coded as 84-P-7. Flown by Lt. Joseph Beach on June 24, 1943, it proved it still had the heart of a hunter, spotting U-194 on the surface south of Iceland. After depth charging the sub on the surface, and exchanging gunfire, the combatants
fought to a standstill. The Captain of U-194, realizing that the PBY would not give up, attempted to disengage from the Catalina by diving. What was unknown to the sub crew at the time was that PBY Bu. 2458 carried a new and secret weapon - - a “FIDO” acoustic homing torpedo. This technology was a revolutionary development in aircraft based ASW. Although the PBY crew reported the sub as damaged because they did not see it sink, postwar research confirmed that U-194 was destroyed that day in the North Atlantic. Incidentally, our PBY Bu. 2459 was the second aircraft to sink a submarine using the homing torpedo. This PBY is by far the most significant patrol aircraft, and highest scoring sub killer in history. It still has its original fuselage and wing, remaining intact and airworthy. It is truly one of the most historic aircraft remaining from the Second World War. PBY Bu. 2459 is currently being operated out of the Netherlands and will be flown to the United States in May of 2019. We are seeking major sponsorship to help with the recovery and restoration of this very important aircraft. Please contact Ryan Keough at the Collings Foundation for more information: rkeough@collingsfoundation.org
PBYs of VP-84 over Iceland.
73-P-9 heads out on a mission armed with Mk 17 depth charges.
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Full dual control / dual cockpit TP-40N Warhawk to join the
Wings of Freedom Tour
In production since 1940, the prewar P-40 “Tomahawk” was the primary frontline USAAF fighter when the Second World War began. It was relegated to second line status by late 1942, when the P-40 “Kittyhawk,” and subsequent variant the “Warhawk,” emerged. These fought in every theater of war until being replaced by more advanced models. The P-40 aircraft is famous for its response to desperate actions, such as the Pearl Harbor defense of December 7, 1941, AVG use in China with the Flying Tigers, and the North Africa fight against Rommel. The P-40 is firmly established as the definitive early war American combat aircraft. Over 200 pilots from 7 nations became Aces flying the P-40. The Collings Foundation is working with California Aerofab to put the final touches on a very special TP-40N Warhawk.
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We anticipate this plane will be finished in the spring of 2019. Once complete, the legendary fighter will join the national Wings of Freedom Tour. This is a full dual cockpit / dual control TP-40N (‘T’rainer ‘P’ursuit) Warhawk. People of every experience level, from no flight training to professional pilots, can get flight instruction in this immaculate Warhawk. Just like the Grand Champion TF-51D Mustang, the Warhawk will travel with the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator and B-25 Mitchell to over one hundred stops across the United States. Check the Wings of Freedom Tour schedule on our website for a list of locations where you can see, and receive flight instruction in this beautiful new TP-40N Warhawk.
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Focke-Wulf Fw 190 F-8 Würger Wk Nr 93182 Restoration Near Complete
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Focke Wulf Fw 190F-8 (Wk Nr 93182) 2 has a combat history while serving in JG 5 stationed in Norway. This Focke Wulf Fw 190F-8 “White 1” was constructed at Norddeutsche Dornier Werke in early June 1944. The Luftwaffe immediately deployed the aircraft into combat, supporting ground troops of the Wehrmacht that were under heavy pressure from the Red Army. The aircraft’s last mission was flown during the Battle of Fordefjoird (known as “Black Tuesday”) on February 9th, 1945. Fw 190 F-8, Wk Nr 93182, from JG 5 “White 1” was piloted by Unteroffizier Heinz Orlowski. The Fw 190 was severely damaged by P-51 pilot Cecil Claude Caesar (kia) and the pilot Orlowski was forced to bail out. He was too close to the ground for his chute to open fully. Orlowski survived the fall by hitting a cushion of deep snow. A small avalanche carried him to the bottom of the valley. During the journey down, his flare gun went off causing severe burns. Local Norwegians took him to the hospital. Heinz Orlowski survived the ordeal. His crashed Fw 190 White 1 (Wk Nr 93182) sat logged into the snowy Norway hillside for more than twenty-five years. Now, seventy-four years later, this Fw 190 has been resurrected to its original flying condition under the expert work from GossHawk Unlimited. Most of the flight surfaces, engine and components are complete. We expect “White 1” to take to the skies in 2019. That would make this original Fw 190 one of two flying in the world.
1. Norwegian residents inspect the remains of Orlowski’s crashed Fw 190 F-8 just after WWII. 2. The Fw 190 at GossHawk Unlimited with engine and wings mated with the fuselage. 3. Picture of pilot Heinz Orlowski who was the last person to fly Nr 93182.
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4. The remains of Fw 190 Nr 93182 just after being pulled out of the Norwegian hillside where it sat for over 20 years. 5. The extremely rare BMW 801 radial engine restored by Vintage Radials being attached to the fuselage.
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PIPER L-4H GRASSHOPPER US Army L-4H 43-30426 | Built in 1944 | In Service from 1944 - 1945 The legendary L-4 Grasshopper with confirmed tank kills (!) joins the Collings Foundation.
A true David and Goliath story -- a Grasshopper credited with six German tank kills, including two legendary Tiger tanks, in a role for which it was never intended. Survived for years under the cover of a nameless civilian aircraft. Major Charles Carpenter and “Rosie the Rocketeer”.
The Piper L-4 Grasshopper is a military version of the famous 1930’s Piper Cub. The aircraft has a simple, lightweight design which gives it good low-speed handling properties and short-field performance. The Grasshopper/ Cub is one of the best known light aircraft of all time. The L-4 was typically used for reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and moving personnel behind the lines.
just over the trees, and the ability to sneak up on targets probably gave Carpenter some ideas. As the offensive grew increasingly perilous in France, Maj. Carpenter increased the armament of the little L-4 now named “Rosie the Rocketeer.” By adding six M6A3 HEAT rockets, these weapons could effectively pierce the top armor of the heaviest German tanks.
Grasshopper L-4H 43-30426 was built by the Piper Aircraft Company of Lock Haven, PA, during the first week of April, 1944. Bearing manufacturer’s serial number 11717, it was accepted by the USAAF as 43-30426 and shipped overseas.
“Major Carpenter once told a reporter that his idea of fighting a war was to “attack, attack and then attack again.”
As part of the D-Day build up, it may have been assembled in England or in France. But soon it was assigned to the 1st Bombardment Division, supporting the US Army’s 4th Armored Division, and General George Patton’s Third Army. Taken as the personal plane of Major Charles Carpenter for observation and artillery spotting, it was not long before the warrior spirit of Major Carpenter began to chafe at the little L-4’s lack of punch. With official approval, he modified the plane. First, he attached a M-1 bazooka to each wing, giving the plane some firepower. The Cub can be nearly silent as it flies 29
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“One of Carpenter’s longest missions occurred on September 20, 1944 during the Battle of Arracourt near Nancy, France, when German armored forces launched a sudden tank attack on the headquarters component of the 4th Armored Division’s Combat Command A, in the process trapping or pinning down several 4th AD support units. Around noon, the fog began to lift, and Carpenter spotted a company of German Panther tanks and armored cars advancing towards Arracourt. Diving through a barrage of German ground fire in a continuing series of attacks against the German formation; Carpenter fired all of his bazooka rockets. Returning to base to reload, Carpenter flew two more sorties that afternoon, firing no fewer than sixteen
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bazooka rockets at the advancing enemy. “Rosie the Rocketer” was later credited with immobilizing two German tanks and several armored cars, while killing or wounding a dozen or more enemy soldiers. Carpenter’s attacks also forced the remaining Panther tanks in the formation to retreat, in the process enabling a trapped 4th Armored water point support crew, who had witnessed Carpenter’s actions that day, to escape capture and destruction. “Some people around here think I’m nuts,” Major Carpenter was quoted as saying, “but I just believe that if we’re going to fight a war we have to get on with it sixty minutes an hour and twenty-four hours a day.” The Associated Press reporter Wes Gallagher, in a 1945 article in Liberty Magazine, concluded that the major was “a legend in an outfit where reckless bravery is commonplace.”
L-4H 43-30426 “Rosie the Rocketeer” with Major Carpenter.
Discovered by the Foundation in Austria, with the help of research specialist Joe Scheil, this historic L-4H was a surprise find! With a victory tally that included 2 Tiger tanks and 4 other tanks, no other surviving tank or aircraft of the Second World War had a more illustrious total of enemy tanks destroyed. The Collings Foundation is proud to bring this American legend home where it will be restored back to its original configuration as when Major Carpenter flew it in 1944. We hope that you will consider a donation to the restoration and operation of this incredible L-4 Grasshopper. L-4H 43-30426 with the six wing strut mounted M-9 bazooka rockets.
Bottom left: The L-4 in current condition as it was found in Austria. Bottom right photos: The fuselage and wing parts being prepped and packed in a container ready for shipment to the United States.
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LEGACY IMPACT
CREATE A
TO MAKE A LASTING
Think back to the first time
you laid your hands on history...
Was it touching the aircraft that your father fought in during World War II? Was it seeing the tank you only read about in books come alive right before your eyes as it rolled past? Was it placing your hand on the controls of the P-51 Mustang and rolling it just like you have done in your dreams since you were a kid? Some experiences change our lives. You are one of tens of thousands each year who have been touched by the living history programs of the Collings Foundation and the new American Heritage Museum. Wouldn’t you like to see these kinds of experiences continue well into the future? Further, we invite you to consider becoming an even more important part of our mission now, as a contributor. There are many ways to make a lasting impact. Your generosity could have an immediate effect with an annual fund gift, or a donor advised fund (DAF) distribution. Please also consider a longer-term legacy, making the Collings Foundation and the American Heritage Museum an important part of your planned giving strategy. We would love to discuss how we can work together to connect your special passion with a program that preserves your legacy as part of our mission.
Your donation helps bring history back to America... and preserve it for future generations.
One of the most important missions undertaken by the Collings Foundation is the identification and repatriation of important historic artifacts back to the United States. Starting with the B-24 Liberator in 1984, continuing with the America’s last flying F-4 Phantom in 1999, and just this year adding the PBY-5A Catalina and L-4 “Rosie the Rocketer,” we are bringing critical American history home. The new American Heritage Museum has transformed what was the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection, the largest private tank and military vehicle collection in the world, into a world-class public history museum that provides enormous educational opportunity. This mission could not be accomplished without our generous donors.
We don’t just dream, we do.
The Collings Foundation doesn’t just come up with dreams and ideas, we have a proven track record of accomplishment. Whether it is transforming the world’s largest private tank collection into a world-class museum, operating the longest-running and most extensive national warbird tour, or carrying out massive restoration projects of rare and historic artifacts from around the globe... we do it. Donors know that their contributions get enormous traction and impact when they give to the Collings Foundation. 31
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A FEW WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE... Become a sponsor or society member...
There is no better way to support your special aircraft, vehicle, or museum than to become a Plane Sponsor or a member of the American Heritage Museum Founders Society. Your donation goes right to the program that you are most dedicated to, and your directed support helps us fund new restoration or expansion. Corporate sponsorship is welcomed and strongly encouraged.
Give to our educational endowment...
An American Association of School Administrators survey found that 50% of schools did not plan field trips for the coming year. Budgetary crunches are partially to blame. We intend to develop an endowment to assist with admissions, and provide bus funding so that the American Heritage Museum can bring much needed history and STEM content to students.
Fund an artifact...
The Collings Foundation is committed to identifying, recovering, and restoring historic artifacts from around the world preserving the valuable history that they embody. Generous donors have become a critical part in the funding these major efforts and over 20 aircraft and vehicles have been preserved in this fashion. Contact us for more details about these exciting opportunities.
Preserve your legacy in a gallery...
The American Heritage Museum in Stow offers an unparalleled way to connect your family or corporate legacy to pivotal events in American history through gallery sponsorship. We have a variety of programs available in our world-class museum that will assure your impact is visible for generations to come. Contact us for naming opportunities.
Make a lasting impact...
The mission of the Collings Foundation may be a significant part of your life and you may wish to assure it is sustained long into future generations. We have many different Planned Giving options available to preserve your legacy, provide valuable charitable benefits to you and your family, and even preserve income well into the future. We accept common stock, either public or private, real estate, and other appreciated assets as donation options to continue our mission.
REACH OUT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE...
There are many ways you can join us and help keep our mission alive. Reach out to Ryan Keough, Director of Donor Relations and Development at 978-562-9182 or ryan@cfdn.org and let us help you develop a plan that matches your passion today. Learn more online at http://give.cfdn.org
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OUR HONORED CONTRIBUTORS The mission of the Collings Foundation is to keep history alive for our future generations and to preserve our national heritage through our programs. The level of resources required each year to accomplish this is immense, but through the generosity of our supporters, we have not only sustained this mission, but have also greatly expanded our reach in the past decade with new artifacts, restorations, and major program additions like the American Heritage Museum. We are extremely grateful to the supporters who have made this possible.
2018 DONORS
2018 AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM FOUNDERS SOCIETY The Bachelder Group at Morgan Stanley The Bassick Family Foundation Desai Foundation Gary Grainger James Joki Walter Lewis Precourt by Anonymous
2018 PLANE SPONSORS
James Brown (B-17) Kenneth Clendenin (P-51) Lisa Corsetti (P-51) John Eichelberger (P-51) Dennis Eker (P-51) Dr. Dan Ervin (B-17) Carolyn Espil by Joe Osentoski (B-17) David R. Gilcrest (P-51) Steve Goldberg (B-24) James Hassenstab (P-51) L. Clarke Hill & Heather Hill (B-24) John Kinikin (B-17) Kevin Matthews (B-24) Thomas G. McAuliff by McAuliff Family (B-24) John McBeth (B-24) Joseph McGrath (P-38) John & Cheryl Muhr (P-51) James Mullen (P-51) James Newton (P-51) Michael Pozarowski (P-51) William & Donna Rosenkrans (B-24) Monroe Sachs by Robert & David Sachs (B-24) Scott & Pam Sheeler #4 (B-17) Charles Shirk (B-17) Michael Stevens (A-1E) Paul Summer (B-24) David Swain (P-51) 2018 DISTINGUISHED FLYING COMMAND Dan Ervin (B-17) Erick “Gerardo” Flores by Roger Grunwald (B-17) Paul & Elyssa Lakich (B-24) Sgt Alfred V Smith by Richard C. Smith (B-24) 33
LIFETIME SUPPORTERS Lifetime supporters of the Collings Foundation have risen above and beyond to help keep history alive for future generations. Their support has helped to ensure the future of our programs and collections including the American Heritage Museum, Wings of Freedom Tour, and Vietnam Memorial Flight.
DIAMOND
Anonymous Donors John W. Bassick Huisking Foundation
Bill Shea and Family Stewart McMillan William M. Sheriff
PLATINUM Joe J. Osentoski David J. Walker Dorothy A. Metcalf Foundation George Kuchenbecker Darmochwal Family Kevin Schuerman GOLD
Norris Foundation Thomas G. Harrison Daniel B. Clark Scott & Pam Sheeler
SILVER
Helga M. Felsch Caruthers David W. Payne S. Jean Fernandez George Michel Curtis Burton Peter C. Rosenthal David L. Craven George Wiseman Patricia P. Greenhood Robert G. Oneglia George Michel Bruce R. Hegdahl M.J. Winer Michael K. Fitzsimons Donald J. Campbell Mark Jon Bluth Ellie Unum L.A. Vander Putten Barry Hennings Thomas R. Cockfield Alan Wolnek Joseph McGrath
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Charles Robidart Warren Reed Sprinkel Stuart Bemis Roy Reardon
Paul Parfrey Virginia M. Ballard Mick Hanou Brad Lemons Foundation
Thomas D. Johns William T. Meehleis Ethan Galstad John Dillman Barbara Bishop-Ward Richard J. Smith Mark Nickerson Jack Quinn Dennis Walt Orth James Rust Dirk Griffin Matt Kuehn Michele Ciancio Joan Patterson Anna Bailey Trust George Slye Richard E. DeKostic James W. Blatchford III William J. Bachschmidt Andrew Munson Jimmie Waldon William T. Hawkins
Kenneth Clendenin Bob Laverty John Miller Ed Kirik Kevin Nish Mary L. Norton David D. Borland Cynthia P. Smith James M. Holley Gunard O. Mahl Paul Peterzell James A. Joki Davey L. Adams, Jr. Reuben H. Fleet Foundation Paul Darmochwal James Taiclet Abraham Galfunt Johnny Gates Robert D. Poole Andrew H. Schmidt Alexander B. Taylor Nancy Zverina
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MEMBERSHIP I N FO R M AT I O N
All memberships help support the programs of the Collings Foundation. By becoming a member, you join the ranks of others who have taken the extra step each year to keep history alive! ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS Annual Memberships include one year of unlimited admission as outlined below to the American Heritage Museum and the Wings of Freedom Tour, a 25% discount to special event tickets at the American Heritage Museum, a 10% discount to the museum store or PX, a window decal, and a subscription to member publications.
COLLINGS FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP & CONTRIBUTIONS
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY/STATE/ZIP
PHONE
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS � Individual Membership: $60 annually
Individual Membership - $60 - Membership for one person includes standard annual membership benefits as described above, including admission for the member.
� Participating Membership: $100 annually
Participating Membership - $100 - Membership for one person includes standard annual membership benefits as described above, including admission for the member. Also includes a $50 voucher to use toward a flight or armor experience.
� Plane Sponsor: $7000 one time contribution
Family Membership - $140 - Membership for up to two adults and two children includes standard annual membership benefits as described above, including admission for the family of up to four.
urgent needs.
� Family Membership: $140 annually � Lifetime Membership: $2500 one time contribution
CONTRIBUTION OPTIONS Annual Fund: Unrestricted contribution applied to the most � $50
� $100
� $250
� $500
� $1000
� Other ___________________ AHM Founders Society: Help grow the programs and
ADVANCED MEMBERSHIPS Advanced Memberships include lifetime unlimited admission as for the member and up to three additional people to the American Heritage Museum and the Wings of Freedom Tour, a 50% discount to special event tickets at the American Heritage Museum, a 10% discount to the museum store or PX, a window decal, and a subscription to member publications. Additional benefits are outlined below. Lifetime Membership - $2500 - Formerly known as DFC, membership for one person includes the advanced membership benefits as described above. Also includes two (2) flight certificates for a flight experience on the B-17, B-24, or B-25. Plane Sponsor - $7000 - Membership for one person includes the advanced membership benefits as described above. Benefits also include lifetime flying privileges for member and one (1) guest on between-city move flights (not local flights) on the B-17, B-24, or B-25. Member will also receive either a personalized A-2 Leather bomber jacket, or a model of the aircraft they sponsor. Up to $3500 of previous flight donations may be applied to this level.
collections of the American Heritage Museum. � $10,000
� $25,000
� $50,000
� Other ___________________
PAYMENT DETAILS PAYMENT: � CHECK
� CREDIT CARD
CARD #
EXPIRATION CVV CODE
SIGNATURE Mail your donation to:
The Collings Foundation Attn.: Membership PO Box 248 Stow, MA 01775
Give or Become a Member Online at: http://give.cfdn.org www.collingsfoundation.org
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