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S E A S O N A L N E W S B U L L E T I N F R O M T H E A M E R I C A N H E R I TA G E M U S E U M & C O L L I N G S F O U N D AT I O N VOLUME 1 | SPRING / SUMMER 2021
Panzer 1A
PROGRESS Under the expert leadership of Dick Moran and his volunteers, the Panzer 1A has been undergoing restoration in our workshop at the Museum throughout the winter. At last, it is nearing completion, and the final assembly is taking place. Although the engine has been temporarily removed for work off-site, we plan to debut the Panzer 1A in our War Clouds exhibit within the next few weeks! This will be an amazing opportunity to see one of the most important artifacts in the collection, the machine that was the genesis of modern tank warfare.
MEMO FROM HQ We would like to welcome you to our first Heritage Headlines news update from the Collings Foundation and the American Heritage Museum. The Heritage Headlines newsletter will be published twice each year, in the Spring and late Summer, to keep supporters like you up to date on the latest news and events at the Museum and the Foundation. We will still be publishing our annual magazine at the end of the year, so be sure to look for that!
We hope that you and your family have stayed safe and healthy over this challenging year. The impact of COVID in Massachusetts still lingers, but we are looking forward to an exciting summer with a full calendar of special events on tap! 2021 marks the return of the unique “Race of the Century” event in September and our popular “Battle for the Airfield” WWII re-enactment in October!
The Wings of Freedom Tour is on hiatus as COVID limitations of public events in key states remains. We are continuing to work with the FAA toward re-application for our Living History Flight Experience (LHFE) authorization. Our team is still hard at work with the restoration of the new B-17 Flying Fortress and other aircraft that will become a key part of our programs and the American Heritage Museum in the future! We look forward to seeing you this summer at the American Heritage Museum. Thank you for your dedication and support in helping us keep history alive!
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READ & SEE MORE AT: http://ahmus.me/pnz1a-0421
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W I N G S O F F R E E D O M U P D AT E P2 S U M M E R S W E E P S TA K E S P 3 E D U C AT I O N A L O U T R E A C H P R O G R A M P3 P B Y- 5 A R E S T O R AT I O N P4 N I E U P O R T 2 8 U P D AT E P5 T P- 4 0 N H E A D S TO E N G L A N D P5 TA N K D R I V I N G & TA N K R I D E S P6 C O A S T G U A R D J R F G O O S E P6 E V E N T R E N TA L S AT T H E M U S E U M P7 F W - 1 9 0 R E S TO R AT I O N U P D AT E P7
WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR
& FLIGHT EXPERIENCE PROGRAM U P D AT E F O R S U P P O R T E R S
NEWS BRIEFS Quick tidbits of news from the museum! CONGRATULATIONS JAKE! The winner of our Ultimate WWII Tank Driving Experience sweepstakes was drawn on April 1, 2021 and our congratulations goes to Jake Zobrist of Sumter, SC who had the winning ticket, #8889! See our latest Sweepstakes on page 3, launching this summer! Proceeds help support the American Heritage Museum and our educational programs.
SPEAKER SERIES AT THE AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM The American Heritage Museum has partnered with the International History Institute to offer several online and onsite Speaker Series talks on a wide range of fascinating historical topics. Check out the online and onsite events listed at: http://ahmus.me/events AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM FEATURED ON WGBH The American Heritage Museum was featured on the radio and television as Jared Bowen, Executive Arts Editor and host of “Open Studio” on Boston’s NPR station, WGBH, visited us in April. Watch the video online at http://ahmus.me/wgbh
NEW LIBRARY PASS PROGRAM AVAILABLE The AHM is now offering an annual membership to local libraries for use by their patrons. Purchase of the $200 annual membership secures four passes. Each pass comes with 50% off admissions to the Museum that can be “checked out” at the library. Let your local library know and point them to: http://ahmus.me/librarypass
FIND OUR LATEST NEWS ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM! See fantastic photos, captivating videos, and our latest news as quick as it comes out! Join our social media networks on Facebook and Instagram for a “real time” look inside our Museum activities - and a lot more!
Visit https://www.facebook.com/americanheritagemuseum on Facebook and Instagram as @americanheritagemuseum https://www.instagram.com/americanheritagemuseum Get the latest news updates at http://ahmus.me/news
Want to feature something in an upcoming publication? Contact Hunter Chaney, Director of Communications at hchaney@collingsfoundation.org
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The Wings of Freedom remains on hold as key states that were part of the annual tour continue to limit public events, gatherings, and performances due to the COVID pandemic. Even ground tours are not possible at most locations. Additionally, the Collings Foundation continues work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for re-application for the Living History Flight Experience (LHFE) program that permits flight experiences to the general public. The LHFE authorization was not renewed as of April 2020.
Because of this, the Wings of Freedom Tour will not be taking place for at least the remainder of 2021. We hope to have more news later this year about a potential 2022 tour.
After an 18-month investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published the final report on the accident of the B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine-O-Nine” on April 13, 2021. The Collings Foundation is reviewing and evaluating the NTSB’s findings and recommendations regarding the tragic accident in Windsor Locks, CT. The Collings Foundation contributed its B-17 warbird experience as a party to the investigation and submitted detailed written information regarding B-17 operations and maintenance as proposed findings of fact and probable causes, which are a part of the NTSB public docket. We knew Ernest “Mac” McCauley to be the most experienced B-17 pilot in the world, a man who was passionate about the care and condition of all aircraft, especially Nine-O-Nine. For over two generations, the Collings Foundation has remained committed to honoring veterans and educating the American public about the sacrifices made by our nation’s veterans. The Foundation’s activities have touched millions of lives across the nation. Responsible flight and maintenance operations have always been, and will always be, a top priority for the Collings Foundation, as reflected by a safe LHFE operating record for over 30 years. Restoration of the B-17 Flying Fortress s/n 44-83785 at American Aero Services in New Smyrna Beach, Florida is underway. Work is being performed to prepare the aircraft for the extensive wing spar inspection and repair program to comply with the Airworthiness Directive that is applied to all flying B-17s. This project requires the removal of each wing, one at a time. We are aiming for completion early in the fall. Our hope is to have the aircraft returned to flying condition by winter, so it may operate as part of the Tour as soon as we are able to resume operations.
The flight experience programs for non-pilots on the F-4 Phantom and TA-4J Skyhawk at Ellington Field in Houston, TX are also on hold pending the LHFE re-application. Flight Training in the F-4 Phantom is available for current FAA Certified Private Pilots or those with a multi-engine rating and current Class 3 medical. TA-4J Flight Training is available to current FAA Certified Private Pilots or higher rating (single engine allowed) and current Class 3 medical. For more information on the Flight Training programs in Houston, visit: https://www.collingsfoundation.org/vmf or call 978-562-9182.
SNEAK BEHIND ENEMY LINES SWEEPSTAKES SUMMER 2021 FUNDRAISER PUTS YOU IN THE BATTLE! Get ready for your mission as part of our new Summer 2021 Fundraising Sweepstakes for the American Heritage Museum!
The Sweepstakes winner will go through driver training in both the M24 Chaffee and the M4 Sherman tanks on the American Heritage Museum grounds. Then, drive the M4 Sherman for its star performance in the Battle for the Airfield live re-enactment on either Saturday, October 9th or Sunday, October 10th! Imagine being right in the middle of the action, with soldiers advancing around you and German fighters defending their positions as you creep closer to fire the winning volley! After winning the battle, you will recover the “captured” German Jagdpanzer 38t Hetzer tank destroyer and learn to drive this war trophy, uncovering the secrets of the enemy! As the Hetzer is a single driver tank, there are no other opportunities in the world to learn to drive this authentic German World War II tank destroyer! Included in your Sweepstakes package are VIP tickets to attend the Battle for the Airfield re-enactment event on both days, with up to 4 friends or family members.
Learn More and Enter at: http://ahmus.me/behindenemylines
AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM With the challenges of the pandemic, education around the region has been drastically affected. As the nation returns to in-classroom learning, the American Heritage Museum is working on new ways to provide historical outreach programs for schools in the area.
Knowing that budgets will be strained in public schools for the immediate future and that field trips may be restricted with social distancing rules still in effect, the staff and volunteers have been working on ways to bring the Museum to the schools over the coming year. We have developed a novel approach, that brings history to life! Thanks to a generous gift by Ms. Denise Littlefield-Sobel and Mr. Edmund Littlefield, the siblings of Jacques Littlefield, the American Heritage Museum was able to purchase the 1916 Ford Model T World War I Ambulance constructed by Mr. George King in CT. This exact reproduction of an ambulance used to transport casualties in the Great War was featured in the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Parade and has been used as a living history teaching tool by Mr. King for a decade. Using the ambulance as a “mobile museum” the AHM is creating a living history presentation on World War I that can be brought directly to schools and allow classes to interact with the ambulance and re-enactors as they connect the history surrounding World War I to modern day. Though this portable outreach tool is vitally important to schools, the American Heritage Museum is also preparing, with great anticipation, for the return of field trips and educational programs. The AHM has developed educational programming to meet and exceed state and national school standards for American and World history. The AHM is a true gem that we are eager to share! We feel that field trips to the AHM should be accessible to students at all schools in New England.
For that reason, the American Heritage Museum is launching our Educational Endowment initiative - a fund that will provide subsidized transportation and admission for schools that lack funding for off-campus programs. Our goal is to make the program self-funding annually through interest generated on the endowment. We intend to kick-off our fundraising effort this year and aim to raise more than $1M by 2023. This will provide a sustainable commitment to bring over 2000 students per year to the museum.
Invest in the Future: Support Our Efforts! If you would like to donate to the Educational Endowment or help with our educational outreach programs, please visit: http://ahmus.me/eduoutreach
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THE NOSE MAKES THE PLANE!
PBY-5A CATALINA
RESTORATION Restoration work continues at American Aero Services in New Smyrna Beach, FL to bring our very historic Consolidated PBY5A Catalina, Bu. No. 2459 back to wartime configuration. When completed, this plane will look exactly as it did when flying with VP-43 based in Iceland from 1942 to 1944. This amphibious reconnaissance and bomber airplane protected vulnerable shipping convoys from the deadly German U-Boat menace and was one of the first aircraft to fight in the Battle of the Atlantic. If you saw the Tom Hanks movie “Greyhound” from Summer 2020, you know how dire their situation was. This very PBY-5A is credited with 3.5 U-Boat “kills” to its record, making it not only the oldest PBY flying, but also the most historically significant. Once the aircraft was brought back to the United States from the Netherlands in the Summer of 2019, the process to transform it back to stock condition began. Arguably the most complex conversion was to remove the smooth, civilian “clipper” nose modification and reinstall the original gun position and bomb aiming window along with all the associated instrumentation, drive mechanisms, and window “hatch” and curtain to protect this area during water landings. Though the gun position looks like a turret, the rounded glass area is nothing more than a rotating .30 cal machine gun mount. The gun would need to be mounted when used and the enclosure offered little comfort for the gunner against the cold slipstream of the North Atlantic. The top of the gunner’s head was exposed by the opening in front of the aircraft! Later variants of the nose position in PBY-6A models converted the gun to a dual .30 cal with a manufactured “bubble” to enclose the gunner.
As you can see from the photos, the complexity of the sheet metal fabrication for this area is very difficult with many compound curves and internal supports. Thankfully, sheet metal expert Casey Littrell at American Aero Services had the skills needed to accomplish this task! Additionally, many other large components like the corrugated curtain and internal hatch had to be painstakingly re-fabricated from original factory drawings. As you can see in the photos to the left, the bomb sight aiming window is sandwiched between a watertight door (far left) and the corrugated shield (immediate left) that protected the glass from icing and salt spray. The simple but effective addition of this shield was a hard learned experience for the Navy as they operated in the harsh environment of the North Atlantic.
Once this section is complete, American Aero Services will move on to the restoration of the waist blister gun emplacements with original equipment, before stripping the existing paint and repainting this historic aircraft back to its original VP-43 scheme.
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READ & SEE MORE AT: http://ahmus.me/pby-0421
RACE OF THE CENTURY RETURNS THIS FALL!
NIEUPORT 28 America’s First Fighter Under the care of restoration expert Mikael Carlson in Sweden, the Nieuport 28 restoration has made some amazing leaps forward! Mikael reports that the construction of all major components has been finished except for several fairings over the landing gear struts and center wing struts that must be completed after the fuselage has been covered. Fabric on the fuselage’s wooden components has been added, and the correct 30 thread / sq. cm bleached Irish linen was utilized on the remaining structure and completed wings. Mikael is working to fit components in the cockpit section, including wooden mock-ups of the guns while the real machine guns are being restored in the United States. Soon he will install the gun synchronizer tube, then work around this large mechanical fixture to install the instrumentation and valves.
We look forward to the Nieuport 28’s first flight later this summer! Once complete and flying, the plane will be disassembled and shipped back to the United States for reassembly and test flight before joining our aircraft collection at the American Heritage Museum. It will be one of the most historic and original WWI aircraft in existence that is in pristine flying condition!
One of the most fun events at the American Heritage Museum returns September 11th and 12th! “Race of the Century” is back after a four year absence! See modes of transportation from the early days of travel to the 1950’s race to the finish on our beautiful grass runway! This is a unique event you will not want to miss and is exclusive to the American Heritage Museum! See our event listing at http://ahmus.me/raceofthecentury
TP-40N WARHAWK
CROSSES THE POND Flights Offered in England at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar
While the Wings of Freedom Tour remains on hold, the Collings Foundation is working with the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar to operate our unique Curtiss TP- 40N Warhawk from Biggin Hill Airfield just outside of London for flight training experiences alongside their existing fleet of dual-control Supermarine Spitfire TR.9’s. The P-40 was used extensively by the RAF in the early part of WWII in the North African campaign and later around the Mediterranean, over Italy and Syria-Lebanon. Though it did not fly from bases in England, the type has undisputed significance in RAF history.
The TP-40N is being shipped to England now and will likely be flying early this Summer. It will remain in its USAAF markings while in England. Once travel restrictions lift and U.S. citizens can visit the U.K. again, we will offer a booking page from our website with special offers to our supporters who are interested in flying. Imagine soaring over the White Cliffs of Dover or seeing the English Channel from the air!
The unique dual-control TP-40N Warhawk in flight with a student.
READ & SEE MORE AT: http://ahmus.me/nieuport-0421
READ MORE AT: https://flyaspitfire.com/27182-2
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RU M B L E BAC K I N T I M E . . .
TANK DRIVING & TANK RIDES Get ready for the experience of a lifetime! Now you can ride in or even drive authentic tanks with the American Heritage Museum’s tank driving and riding program! Climb aboard either of our World War II tanks, the M24 Chaffee light tank or the M4 Sherman medium tank, and get a glimpse of what it took to be a tanker during WWII! You can ride along just like a crew member on a thrilling 10-minute experience or have the ultimate adventure with our hour-long tank driver training, culminating in 20-minutes of you driving the tank with an instructor! All programs are tax-deductible donations!
Bookings are available all summer and fall on select weekends. You can also call and book a private weekday experience from Wednesday to Friday!
Go to http://ahmus.me/tankexp or call 978-562-9182 to book today!
TA N K D R I V I N G
TA N K R I D E S
M24 Driving
Hour-long training with 20-minutes at the controls.
$995.00 total
BOOK YOUR
SEAT TODAY!
M4 Driving
Hour-long training with 20-minutes at the controls.
$1495.00 total
M24 Rides
10-minute ride for Three (3) people
$595.00 total M4 Rides
10-minute ride for Two (2) people
$595.00 total
GRUMMAN JRF-5 Goose Coast Guard TRANSFORMATION
Actual photo of Bu. No. 84791 in U.S. Coast Guard markings in 1944
If you have been to the American Heritage Museum in the past year, you might have noticed the Grumman G-21 Goose missing from our hangar. That is because we took it down to our friends at American Aero Services in New Smyrna Beach, FL for maintenance and repairs to the hull, as well as preparation for a new paint scheme that will bring back to its original appearance.
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The repaint is very special in this case, as we are bringing back the original markings it wore in 1944 when the Goose was operated by the United States Coast Guard and known as the JRF-5 in Navy and
Hull maintenance taking place.
Coast Guard service. The Goose will be repainted in a silver scheme with yellow trim stripes in several places and “USCG” in large black letters under the wings. Volunteers and researchers from Coast Guard aviation associations were able to track down an actual photo of our Goose, Bu. No. 84791, when it was assigned to AIRSTA Biloxi from the Bill Bailey / Don Dawson photo collection. We hope the JRF will head to paint within the coming month, and we will see it return to our hangar later this summer as the first U.S. Coast Guard aircraft in our collection!
READ & SEE MORE AT: http://ahmus.me/goose-0421
YOUR EVENT
AT THE AHM!
P R O G R E S S R E P O RT
FW-190F-8 “White 1”
EVENT VENUE RENTALS Gatherings and celebrations were mostly put on hold in 2020 as the pandemic surged across the nation. As things begin a return to normalcy, the American Heritage Museum is excited to offer select locations on our Hudson / Stow, MA campus for special events like weddings, parties, fundraisers, and corporate meetings. Imagine your next corporate meeting within the museum, surrounded by history, or your wedding in our open hangar. We also have our beautiful pergola gardens as an elegant backdrop or location of a more private gathering.
Work continues on our Focke-Wulf Fw-190F-8 “White 1” that has been under restoration in Casa Grande, AZ at Gosshawk Aviation. Dave Goss and his crew have been finishing the details on this incredibly historic restoration as we come closer to first flight. The aircraft was painstakingly painted in a detailed, accurate scheme, including areas where previous markings were painted over as would have been seen in the field. The BMW 801 engine has been undergoing its break-in period after overhaul at Vintage V12s in Tehachapi, CA before heading down to Gosshawk for final installation. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels as we come closer to final assembly!
As of April 15, the State of MA allows 150 person gatherings outdoors and 100 persons indoors, but we expect levels to increase later in the year. Our venues can host events from small 15 person meetings up to 400 persons indoors or outdoors.
Event rentals are a way you can support our living history mission while showing your guests one of the most spectacular venues in the greater Boston area! Contact us at 978-562-9182 or email eventbooking@collingsfoundation.org for information.
Teambuilding retreats are a perfect fit.
READ & SEE MORE AT: http://ahmus.me/fw190-0421
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VISIT THE AHM!
SUMMER 2021
American Heritage Museum The Collings Foundation 568 Main Street Hudson, MA 01749
HOURS: Wednesday-Sunday: 10AM-5PM Closed Monday-Tuesday ADMISSION: FREE for Museum Members & Sponsors Adults: $20 Seniors (62 and over): $18 Veterans & Active Duty: $18 Children (3-12): $10 Children under 3: FREE WWII & Korean War Vets: FREE Please allow at least two hours for your visit to the museum. Aircraft Hangar and Car Museum open on select special event weekends only. Admission on special event weekends may vary, please check our schedule for details. Face masks required until further notice per State of MA requirements.
Questions? Call 978-562-9182
experience living history...
UPCOMING EVENTS All special event weekends listed here include admission to the American Heritage Museum and also include our aircraft hangar annex and our classic automobile collection. Most events below $25 adults / $20 senior & vets / $15 children and free for members. See our online schedule for details!
TANK DEMO WEEKEND
MILITARY HISTORY THROUGH THE AGES
MAY 15-16, 2021 - 10am-5pm Daily
AUGUST 7-8, 2021 - 10am-5pm Daily
See several tanks from AHM’s collection operating in an extraordinary exhibition with historical narration. Tank rides and driving available.
An extraordinary living history exhibition featuring re-enactors and encampments from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam for visitors to get close to and interact.
JUNE 19-20, 2021 - 10am-5pm Daily
SEPT. 11-12, 2021 - 10am-5pm Daily
TANKS, WINGS & WHEELS
RACE OF THE CENTURY
A Fathers Day presentation of rare classic cars, aircraft and tanks operating in a most colorful presentation of American elegance and inginuity.
An amazing transportation themed event where the best machine wins! Vintage vehicles of all sorts race in chronological order to the finish. Great family fun!
JULY 10-11, 2021 - 10am-5pm Daily
OCTOBER 9-10, 2021 - 8:30am-5pm Daily
TANK DEMO WEEKEND
See several tanks from AHM’s collection operating in an extraordinary exhibition with historical narration. Tank rides and driving available.
UPDATED EVENT CALENDAR AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:
http://ahmus.me/events
BATTLE FOR THE AIRFIELD
WWII living history event with over 350 reenactors representing several branches of Allied and Axis military in two large scale battles daily. Also, a WWII veterans round-table. $35 adults / $30 senior & vets / $20 children **Members get discounted admission.