The Power of Curiosity
It’s been saId that curIosIty Is the mother of knowledge. It has also been said curiosity, not necessity, is the mother of invention. It’s even been said that curiosity is man’s greatest attribute. Curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge are powerful forces that move us along the spectrum of civilization. For early humans, it was a survival essential in the pursuit of food, water and shelter. For us today, it fills a plethora of needs in our complex world.
The ultimate expression of curiosity, of course, is exploration. The seductiveness of going where no one has gone before is a powerful motivator that has kept mankind relentlessly on a journey to its future. Curiosity — and its byproduct, learning — is the essential ingredient in the arc of progress.
Curiosity is an instinctive human tendency that moves us to innovate and better our lives. It is the fuel that gets us going every day. It, along with inspiration, excites and motivates us to learn more, to seek new horizons, to search for answers both meaningful and trite, and to better our lives. In essence, it is the oxygen of life.
Meaningful questions — Are we alone? What is the origin and extent of the universe? What is the meaning of life? — these are all questions that are inherent in our space program. Thanks to extraordinary technological achievements like the Hubbell and James Webb space telescopes, the International Space Station and Voyager 1 — which continues to collect data after almost five decades on its journey — our understanding of the universe grows exponentially, giving us better answers to the questions surrounding our place in the cosmos.
And then there are the trite questions — I wonder what that tastes like? Do spiders see colors? Do trees feel pain? These are the types of questions that may weave through our daily lives, adding dimension and sparkle to what may be an otherwise unremarkable existence and moving us to pursue answers that make our lives more interesting.
At the New England Air Museum, curiosity is our currency. As you might imagine, being the guardian of hundreds of airplanes, engines and other interesting and important artifacts, it’s important to us to effectively tell the stories behind each one because visitors come armed with a multitude of questions, all driven by their curiosity, and we feel a responsibility to help them understand what it all means.
To do that, we incorporate print and audiovisual explanations into our displays. But visitors tell us they get the most interesting and informative perspectives from our docents. These volunteers, mostly retirees, have broad and deep knowledge of these magnificent, historic masterpieces. If you ask them, they will tell you their knowledge grew out of a lifetime of curiosity… and passion.
As you walk around the New England Air Museum and your curiosity takes hold, strike up a conversation with one of these remarkable, dedicated docents, easily spotted by their distinctive red shirts, and see for yourself what decades of curiosity — and passion — can do.
I promise you it will be a memorable experience. ✪
Bob Stangarone was Chairman of the New England Air Museum from 2021 to June 2024. He is currently President and CEO of Corporate Angel Network, a non-profit that provides cancer patients free travel on business aircraft to treatment centers across the US.
36 Perimeter Road
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Tel: 860/623-3305
www.neam.org
Officers
Warren M. Boley, Chair
William P. Gonet, ViCe Chair
Jeffrey A. Dominick, Treasurer
Kim A. Jones, seCreTary
DirectOrs
Morgan Barrieau
James Berklas
William A. Costen
Samantha Foster
Carroll Lane
Michael McGuire
Michael Murphy
Kimberly Kinsley
Cornelius P. O’Leary
Stephen R. Perez
Thomas S. Sargis
Joseph Thorstenson
Katherine Wadsworth
Joseph Wolnick
Catherine Young
DirectOrs emeritus
Lawrence R. Churchill
George A. Clyde
Robert M. Garneau
Joseph G. Lynch
Michael J. Morneau
Roy C.J. Normen
William A. O’Neill
Gov. M Jodi Rell
Igor I. Sikorsky, Jr.
Nelson A. Sly, Jr.
New eNglaND air museum staff
Stephanie Abrams, PresidenT & CeO
Richard Cleary, VP Of deVelOPmenT
Karen Giroux, COnTrOller
Amanda Goodheart Parks, Ph.D., dir Of eduCaTiOn
Tim Garland, dir Of faCiliTies
Jeanie Rozbora, dir Of VisiTOr serViCes / sales
Michelle Salamone, dir Of sales & markeTing / eVenTs
Joshua D. Taylor, COlleCTiOns manager
Mike Thornton, CuraTOr
Robert Vozzola, resTOraTiOn COOrdinaTOr
Tianna Darling, OPeraTiOns & PrOgrams manager
From the Desk of the President and CEO
The heaT of summer is upon us, chasing away the memories of winter’s icy grip. While it may sound counterintuitive to spend time inside a museum, here’s why you’re wrong: the New England Air Museum offers a perfect escape from the heat with exciting exhibits, state-of-the-art flight simulators, and unique activities you won’t find anywhere else in New England. Our team is buzzing with excitment about our latest developments, including a prestigious recognition, and we’re eager to share them with you!
A Prestigious Recognition:
The Connecticut Freedom Trail Designation
Our walls now echo with the valor of heroes: the Tuskegee Airmen. Our representation of their saga of courage has earned us a revered
spot on the Connecticut Freedom Trail. This honor is not merely a nod to history but a pledge to keep their legacy vibrant, sharing their story with a tapestry as diverse as the nation they defended.
Thrills Await: State-of-the-Art Simulators
Imagine strapping into the cockpit, the virtual horizon expanding before you. Our new flight simulators, equipped with the latest in virtual reality technology, promise not just
a visit but a voyage. Feel the surge of adrenaline as you command a jet through the digital clouds — an adventure that beckons the brave of all ages.
Historical Immersion: The Battle of Britain
In collaboration with Central Connecticut State University, we will soon unveil an experience steeped in history — a new simulator in our Kosciuszko Exhibit. Here, a Spitfire flight simulator takes you into the throes of the Battle of Britain. Experience the harrowing challenges faced by those valiant pilots, a dynamic encounter that engulfs you in the echoes of combat long past.
A Renaissance of Retail:
Our Enhanced Gift Shop
Our gift shop reimagines the nexus of aviation and artistry. Browse through an eclectic mix of home décor featuring authentic B-29
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From the Desk of the President and CEO
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artifacts; wear apparel emblazoned with the insignias of legendary aircraft; or discover toys that meld fun with educational purpose, sparking the imaginations of young minds. Collectors will find themselves in a haven of meticulously crafted aircraft models.
For Our Young Aviators: The New Kidsport
For our budding aviators, the museum now boasts child-friendly simulators and an augmented reality wall that brings the science of aerodynamics to life. Watch as children interact with airflow simulations, turning complex theories into captivating, tactile experiences.
Culinary Delights: The New Café
Soon, our new café will open its doors, offering culinary delights that cater to whimsical and sophisticated
tastes alike. Whether it’s a snack for a quick refuel or a meal to savor, the café promises to enhance your museum journey.
Exploring Genius: The Igor Sikorsky Exhibit
Looking ahead, the Igor Sikorsky Exhibit awaits — deep dive into the life and legacy of a visionary who reshaped the skies. This isn’t just an exhibit; it’s an invitation to wander through the mind of a pioneer, whose dreams paved the skies for the future.
Extended Opportunities:
Special Museum Hours and Events
Every third Thursday of the quarter, our museum lingers open into the night. These evenings sparkle with unique events, from adult scavenger hunts to interactive programs, all designed to enrich
Tuskegee Airmen Day
ON ApRIL 25, 2024, Lt. GovERNoR SUSAN BySIEWIcz READ A proclamation declaring April 26 as an annual day to honor the Tuskegee Airmen. Our exhibit was prominently featured, and we were honored to be invited to speak. President & CEO Stephanie Abrams said, “By bringing these personal narratives to the forefront, the exhibit amplifies the significance of their individual triumphs and challenges, crafting a powerful reminder that history is woven from the threads of individual lives and shared human experiences”. ✪
NEAM President & CEO
your museum experience under the starlit sky.
Adventure Beyond Borders: International Trips
This fall, the spirit of adventure takes flight beyond borders with trips that honor the indomitable “Mighty 8th Air Force.” Join us in celebrating the monumental contributions of these airmen to history.
This season, the New England Air Museum is not just a place, but a journey. Here, history takes wing, and the spirit of exploration knows no bounds. We invite you to embark on this adventure with us, where every visit is a discovery, every exhibit tells a story, and every experience fuels the imagination. Join us, where the past enriches the present, and the sky is merely the beginning.
See you at the museum! ✪
> Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz >
AbramsStephanie
Innovating the Future — Sikorsky’s Vision Takes Flight
B
y m ike
t hornton , C urator
Product I on for our new exh I b I t I on , Through the Eyes of Igor Sikorsky, is underway.
Charting a legacy of innovation back to the dawn of aviation, our exhibition explores the inspiring story of Igor Sikorsky, who was designing aircraft during the very birth of manned flight. This titan of aviation’s innovative genius helped shape the aerospace industry and forever changed the way we live. A career and a legacy that continue to inspire.
Our new exhibition will transform sections of the Civil Aviation gallery into a vivid journey through Sikorsky’s visionary achievements. Sikorsky famously stated that the “best way to predict the future was to invent it,” and he applied this philosophy by harnessing technology to serve humanity. At NEAM, we aim to present Sikorsky and the ongoing endeavors of his namesake company as a dynamic example of how risk, rigor, and reward propel innovation. Your visit to this exhibition will not only be a journey through history but also a glimpse into the future of aviation.
In preparing for this exhibition, we had the privilege of conducting interviews with key figures who have intimate
knowledge of Sikorsky’s vision. Among them are Sergei Sikorsky, Igor’s eldest son, and Dan Libertino, who has held several positions at Sikorsky. Their insights, along with contributions from Sikorsky test pilot Nick Lappos, and our own NEAM staff, form the core of a powerful film at the
Our exhibition design promises to transform the Civil Hangar with darkened ceilings and large-scale media projections that will theatrically enhance our collection as never before.
entrance of the exhibition that takes visitors into the very mind of Igor Sikorsky.
Among the most compelling stories shared by Sergei is his recount of his father’s prophetic dream in 1900, in which he envisioned himself in a flying
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> Coming fall 0 — a new, immersive Sikorsky exhibit, offering a unique journey through the eyes of this visionary pioneer.
Innovating the Future — Sikorsky’s Vision Takes Flight
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boat he would later invent. We’ve brought this vision to life through a filmed reenactment using our VS-44 cabin as a backdrop.
NEAM worked closely with Renne Purdy and the costume shop of the Warner Theater in Torrington, CT to outfit our Sikorsky stand-ins with historically correct clothes. For a sneak peek at some scenes from this sequence and some highlights from our interviews, check out our exhibition website at www.sikorskyneam.org.
Our exhibition design, still in progress, promises to transform the Civil Hangar with darkened ceilings and large-scale media projections that will theatrically enhance our collection as never before. Drawing inspiration from the inspiring stories of the men and women of Sikorsky, digital activations and interactives will interpret aircraft like the VS-44, R-4, S-39 and S-51 to explore the innovations they ushered in. Our USCG HH-52 takes center stage to introduce the brave men and women who take to the skies in the selfless pursuit of saving others. The exhibit will also take visitors to the precipice of the future as we explore
Despite our extensive collection of historic Sikorsky aircraft, we recognize that personal stories and artifacts related to the company’s employees from the 1920s to the present are scarce. We invite anyone with stories, artifacts, or images they wish to share or loan for this exhibition to contact Curator Mike Thornton at mthornton@neam.org. Your contribution not only will enrich our exhibition but also will play a crucial role in preserving the legacy of Igor Sikorsky.
Join us fall 2024 to experience “Through the Eyes of Igor Sikorsky,” where the past inspires the future, and the legacy of an aviation pioneer is celebrated in full flight. ✪
Lockheed Martin’s vision to create a more connected and technologically advanced world.
From the Development Desk
Aviation Park Update
Secure your place with a memorial cement brick in our upcoming new Aviation Park, situated amidst our remarkable outdoor aircraft display. The park will be a place for relaxation,
of our iconic planes, and enjoying unique aviation-themed surroundings. The cement bricks can be etched with anything from a military patch, college crest, or your favorite clip art and become a permanent part of the museum. Visit our website to order your brick at www.neam.org.
New Hangar Update
Plans for our new hangar are progressing. Our application for a state bond to cover partial funding has passed through the legislature, and we need the governor to place it on the bond approved commission agenda. Once approved, we can launch a capital campaign to raise the balance of funds required to make our plans a reality.
The hangar will continue our current theme of immersive exhibits, such as The Tuskegee Airmen; Their Untold Stories, that has allowed us to become part of the CT Freedom Trail. In addition, we’re planning on increasing our education programming, installing a state-of-
the-art planetarium/auditorium, and adding a manufacturing gallery. The manufacturing gallery will highlight Connecticut’s manufacturing expertise along with engine and component displays, showcase manufacturing in process, and promote manufacturing workforce needs.
There are naming rights for the building and interior design spaces available!
Challenger Learning Center
Coming soon — a new space mission simulation for students as we look to greatly expand our education programs. We hope to announce a partnership to build a Challenger center and deliver this fantastic program for students in our area.
A New Sikorsky Exhibit: Through the Eyes of Igor Sikorsky Transforming Aviation and Saving Lives
Your donations will help bring this groundbreaking exhibit to life!
Lemuel R. Custis Legacy Society
Consider making an impact through planned giving to the museum. Our Legacy Society is named for Lemuel Custis, the first African American police officer in Hartford, a member of the inaugural class of Tuskegee Airmen who flew 92 missions during WWII and later became a member of the New England Air Museum’s board of directors.
For over 60 years, the New England Air Museum has been helping to bring the world of aviation and aerospace to generations of families from across the region. At the same time, we are educating and inspiring the region’s youth to understand the history of aviation and to think about how they can be part of the future of this industry.
As you consider how you can support the New England Air Museum, we ask that you consider a planned gift to ensure that our work continues for at least another 60 years.
> Architectural drawing of our planned new hangar.
Join us in raising funds to create a totally revamped Sikorsky Exhibit, transporting you into Igor Sikorsky’s mind and witnessing his innovations. This exhibit will showcase not only the helicopters but also the heart and soul of the company, along with its profound influence on Connecticut’s growth.
Should you wish to name the New England Air Museum as a beneficiary in your will, life insurance, or IRA, our legal name is Connecticut Aeronautical Historical Association. Like all financial decisions, please be sure to consult with your attorney or financial adviser. ✪
Celebrating Excellence: NEAM Honored with Prestigious Wedding Awards
The new england aIr museum Is thrIlled to announce our recent accolades as the recipient of the 2024 The Knot Best of Weddings and the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards. These awards are a testament to our commitment to excellence, recognizing us as a top-tier wedding venue among the local wedding professionals. Such honors are awarded by The Knot and WeddingWire, two of the most reputable wedding planning platforms in the United States, based on the heartfelt reviews from real couples who have celebrated their special day with us.
These distinguished awards highlight vendors that are celebrated for their reliability, professionalism, and the outstanding quality of service they provide, as evidenced by the feedback from our couples. The unique charm of our museum has not only provided a memorable backdrop for weddings but has also offered guests an engaging experience. Our recent bride, Kaitlin, shared her joy, stating, “Our guests were captivated by the museum, taking delight in photographs with the exhibits, engaging with the flight simulators, and enjoying conversations with the museum volunteers who eagerly shared their aviation experiences and knowledge about the aircraft. It
was a day filled with activities for everyone to enjoy!”
Selection for these honors is fiercely competitive, with thousands of user reviews and over 200,000 wedding professionals considered to identify the most esteemed vendors of the year. Being recognized alongside such talented peers is a significant honor for us.
In our continuous effort to enhance the event experience at our venue, the New England Air Museum proudly partnered with Longitude Catering at the beginning of 2023. As an extension of the renowned Lattitude Restaurant — situated near the Big E in West Springfield, MA — this partnership has significantly elevated our event offerings. The exceptional culinary creations and service led by Chef Jeffrey Daigneau have been consistently praised by our guests, further enhancing the unique experience of hosting an event at the museum.
We extend our deepest gratitude and congratulations to the incredible couples who chose the New England Air Museum for their wedding celebrations. Your special days have not only contributed to our success but have also enriched the fabric of our museum’s history with your personal stories of love and celebration. ✪
Visitor Services Update
“The managemenT and volunteers are extremely passionate about preserving these aircraft and the stories of the brave heroes who flew them.”
This statement just about sums up how we here feel about the museum. Volunteers and staff alike make it our goal to keep the light in the eyes of our treasured aviators by sharing stories, experiences, and artifacts with our visitors. Young and old have come in and walked the hangars with expressions of wonder and awe as our valued volunteers bring these magnificent artifacts to life. Where else can you see, touch, and learn about the B29, VS44, and K28 blimp car? We have become more of a known destination in our area, as we make
strides towards erasing our “best kept secret” title of years past. Visitation is at an all-time high, proving that people need to hold on to history. We spend our days here determined to retell the stories of old and create a spark of interest in the young to fill the shoes of those who ultimately fly west. We will be remaining open later with activities to encourage visitors to visit after their workday ends — yet another opportunity to relax and engage in fascinating history. We are constantly adding to and enhancing our collection. Our open cockpit
and new exhibits still create sparkles in the eyes of our visitors. The addition of more simulators and mind-boggling scavenger hunts keeps everyone on their toes and gives our visitors chances to win great prizes.
From the Education Department
NEAM School Programs: Inspiring the Next Generation
The New England Air Museum’s Education Department helps fulfill our mission of inspiring the next generation of aviators and aviation enthusiasts through a variety of educational programs for students of all ages. Among these are school programs, where students aged preschool to college explore the history, science and technology of flight through fun-filled field trips aligned with state and national curriculum frameworks.
During the 2023-2024 school year, the Education Department celebrated a milestone, welcoming nearly 5,000 students from across southern New England — a record number for us. Our programs offer unique learning opportunities: from second graders experimenting with the principles of force by launching parachutes from our mezzanines to undergraduates tapping into our extensive library resources for their thesis projects, and middle schoolers linking their World War II studies to our historical aircraft exhibits.
Our school programs also help inspire students to pursue aviation as a hobby and a potential career. One noteworthy example is our Inspiring Future Aviators (IFA) program, funded in partnership with the Bombardier Hartford Service Center. For over ten years, the IFA program has provided local high school students with behind-the-scenes access to our aircraft restoration facility as well as the Bombardier Hartford Service Center at no cost. All IFA students receive invaluable introductions to future employment and cooperative learning placement opportunities; for some students, this program has been life-changing, inspiring them to pursue a career in aerospace. Here are some of the ways we change lives:
“We have had three students so far change their career goals and attend school at CT Aero Tech because of this program. All three of them are employed in the aerospace field, and one actually works for Bombardier!” — Chicopee Comprehensive High School Career Counselor, Chicopee, MA
“This is the best field trip of the year for our students. A couple students who had not previously considered a career in aviation were excited to learn that aviation had many different types of jobs to offer that were related to their shops.” — Science Teacher, Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School, Palmer, MA
Through initiatives like the Inspiring Future Aviators program, NEAM’s Education Department is not just teaching about aviation, we are setting the stage for the next wave of aerospace innovators. Join us in this educational journey and help inspire a new generation of aviators.
Save the Dates: 0 NEAM Travel Programs
Travel to local, regional, and international destinations next year in support of NEAM. Our Education Department Travel Program fees include first class transportation and accommodations, all attractions and gratuities, most meals, and 24/7 guide services. Here’s a sneak peek at next year’s itineraries:
> Albany: Empire State Aerosciences Museum (ESAM) and Schuyler Mansion Historic Site — May 14, 2025
> Cities of Steel: Industrial History Tour of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Philadelphia — June 2-7, 2025
> Cold War Espionage: Tour of Germany and the Czech Republic with Gary Powers Jr. — October 6-15, 2025
Here’s what prior travelers have said about their experience traveling with NEAM:
“This trip was worth every penny…everyone in the group was very impressed!” — 2022 Trip Participant
“Everything about this trip was first class, from the transportation to the hotel to our guide to the meals!” — 2019 Trip Participant
Full trip itineraries and pricing will be available later this summer. Contact Amanda Goodheart Parks, Ph.D., Director of Education at agparks@neam.org or (860) 623-3305 x313 for more information. ✪
> Visitors explore the museum at Homeschool Day
> Scouts learn to rivet at a Scout Overnight at the museum
What is a Collections Manager?
LasT summer, Josh Taylor joined NEAM to become the museum’s first collections manager, a giant step in increasing the museum’s stewardship and care of the collection. But what do collections managers do?
For starters, they oversee the general well-being of the objects on display and in storage. duties include tracking the temperature and humidity of the museum to make sure it stays in the sweet spot where the artifacts will not deteriorate, and making sure it is not so bright as to light-bleach clothing. They rehouse objects in storage and track their locations, and are constantly finding interesting things for future displays: Just recently we rediscovered a scrapbook containing a piece of parachute from d-day. Tracking is especially important when old exhibitions and displays are being rotated to make way for new ones.
Every object from the smallest toy model to the B-29 Superfortress has an assigned number in a database to keep track of all its records.
Collections managers also manage the paperwork on incoming objects, whether donations or loans. Some of the aircraft we have in our collection are on loan from various military branches, such as our A-10, Skycrane and F-14. These loan agreements must be renewed every few years to ensure the military property is receiving the best care.
We are constantly receiving inquiries from everyday people wanting to donate items to the museum. The collections manager works to filter out these donations so the curator can bring them to the collections committee. In the past few months, we have accepted everything from a vintage Hamilton Standard smock to a Kaman K-Max helicopter!
Now, what is the difference between a curator and a collections manager? While the curator works to create displays and text panels, and conducts research for the objects and new exhibitions, the collections manager is the hands-on worker who coordinates the logistics of deinstall and install of the objects behind the scenes. This staff member oversees putting the aircraft in place or smaller objects into cases for display. The collections manager and curator work together to divide and conquer the tasks that go into creating new and exciting displays for the public. You might have noticed the Stearman and Hellcat in the B-29 hangar have been moved to new positions and parts of the old Sikorsky exhibit being taken down in preparation for the new one coming this fall. It is the collections manager, working with the curator, who helps keep the museum exhibits fresh, intriguing, and relevant. ✪
F-J Scorpion Restoration Project
B y J erry a BB atello , neam V olunteer
The f-89 scorpion was an early cold war interceptor. Interceptors were a class of fighter aircraft especially designed to hunt and destroy enemy bombers that might be approaching North America. Predating guided missiles, Scorpions were built with large wings to provide stable platforms in order to provide accuracy when firing their unguided rockets. Scorpions were usually stationed in northern latitudes working in conjunction with the dEW (distant Early Warning) line. Hence the large landing gear was made to deal with snowy runways.
Our J version of the F-89 could be equipped with two nuclear armed air to air Genie missiles which carried 1.5 kiloton warheads with a six-mile range, and which were intended to take down whole formations of enemy bombers if necessary.
The aircraft came to us from the Maine 132nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron after it was retired in 1969. NEAM was in the process of restoring the aircraft when the B-29 project took precedence. The Scorpion restoration effort was paused, and the incomplete fuselage moved outside for many years until the restoration volunteers began a two-year effort to enhance and preserve the historic aircraft. The painting and preservation project was completed by our restoration shop last summer, and you can now see the newly preserved example of the Cold War F-89 Scorpion in the museum’s outside display yard. ✪
> Completed F-J Scorpion ready to greet visitors in NEAM’s outdoor display yard.
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and the Nuclear Aircraft Engine
S tory & p hoto S B y t om p al S haw , neam V olunteer
ThIs artIcle Is not a technIcal report about the nuclear engine. It is a story of one person’s road of discovery about events that had occurred in his lifetime and involved his family. This article will only cover the work at Pratt & Whitney.
Have you ever seen a nuclear aircraft engine? I have not; however, my father’s last job at Pratt & Whitney was on the nuclear engine project. I was just a small boy. The program was classified, so of course he would not talk about it. I recently learned that the New England Air Museum (NEAM) had what was reported to be a “nuclear” engine in its collection. Wow! I just had to see what my father had worked on. The engine was stored in NEAM’s cold storage building (jokingly called Area 51). My first impression: It was BIG! There it was, clean and massive, loaded with a large amount of test point connections. But it had no data plate, nothing that would identify it. My first task was to learn all I could about the story of the nuclear engine.
Nuclear Propulsion History
The concept of a nuclear-powered aircraft was first considered by the U.S. Army Air Forces in May of 1946. The study was called Nuclear Energy for Propulsion of Aircraft (NEPA). It included Douglas Aircraft, North American Aircraft, and Fairchild Engine and Aircraft Corporation. Northrup Aircraft began a privatelyfunded study, designated the N34 Flying Wing.
The project name was changed in 1951 to Aircraft Nuclear
Propulsion (ANP) and included Air Force-led exploration of a number of long endurance subsonic and supersonic nuclearpowered aircraft. Contracts were signed with Boeing, Lockheed, General Electric (GE), and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft (PWAC). To demonstrate the feasibility of flying with a nuclear reactor on board, the Air Force signed a contract with Convair in 1952 to develop the X-6 flying test bed. Convair ultimately modified a B-36 that had been damaged in a tornado at Carswell AFB to build the NB-36H shield test aircraft. This aircraft flew with a reactor on board but was never powered by nuclear energy. The Navy contracted with Martin and Convair to develop a nuclear-powered seaplane in 1953; however, it never went past the paper stage.
The GE contract called for the development of a direct-aircycle engine and initially demonstrated this concept utilizing modified J47 engines. The reactor heat in this engine was introduced directly into the engine flow path ahead of the combustor section. PWAC was contracted to build an indirect cycle engine in which the reactor heat passed from the reactor to the engine by liquid metal to air radiators placed forward of the chemical combustor section.
My next task was to identify the engine in the NEAM collection.
Engine Family Designations Military / Civilian
The first confusing data were the designations of jet engines, as various reports used a variety
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Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and the Nuclear Aircraft Engine
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of designations. An engine family is characterized by its architecture or features. There is a military identity and, if applicable, a civilian identity.
For example, a military J48 is a civil JT7, a J52 is a JT8, add a fan and it becomes a JT8D; a J57 is a JT3, add a fan and it becomes a JT3D; a J58 is a JT11. I learned that the engine in the NEAM collection was a J91/JT9.
The military/civilian designation format for the J91/JT9 engine was misleading and did not follow traditional naming convention. A JT9D Turbofan engine is well known, but has no connection to the JT9. No one could tell me why this designator pattern changed. The JT9D got its genesis from the STF200 NASA high bypass demonstrator in 1963. It was not accepted for the Lockheed C-5 but was the engine for the initial Boeing 747. The engine I saw was a J91/JT9 Mach 3 engine being developed for high-speed applications, including what eventually became the North American XB-70 bomber. PWAC J91 was not selected for the XB-70.
The J1/JT to Nuclear Engine Origins, Characteristics and Applications
The J91/JT9 was a prototype Mach 3 afterburning turbojet engine that was initially designed in the early 1950s for operation over 70,000ft. It had a single spool, nine-stage compressor that was unique in that it was designed for transonic airflow, and was the first use of titanium blades. It was rated at 35,000 pounds of thrust with a sea-level mass airflow of 400 pounds per second. Only two development engines were built, s/n X287 and X291. The engine had acquired nearly 500 hours on the test stand when the program was cancelled. The NEAM engine is X-291; X-287 was scrapped.
The U.S. NAVY requested an engine for versions of the Martin P6M jet-powered seaplane and later for a proposed Mach 3 attack aircraft. PWAC scaled down the J91 from 400lbs/sec to 300lbs/sec to meet the thrust rating for these applications. This engine became the J58/JT11 (not to be confused with a later turboramjet used on the SR-71). When the Navy project was cancelled, PWAC also proposed it for the Convair F106, the North American F108, the Vought XF8U-3
Crusader III and others, but failed to win any contracts. It was selected, however, for the Convair Kingfish concept and, more importantly, the highly successful and record-setting Lockheed A-12 (later YF-12A and SR-71).
Back to the nuclear engine program…
The PWAC nuclear engine was called the JTN-11with the “N” for nuclear power. The JTN-11 variant was a JT11D20 engine adapted for operation with liquid metal radiators mounted just in front of the combustor section to supply nuclear heat for thrust. The modifications included:
> An increase in the length and diameter of the combustor section to increase the number of burner cans from eight to nine.
> An increase in the length of the turbine shaft with two additional support bearings.
> Jet fuel nozzles and manifolds that were modified to permit operation in the high temperature output (1600F) of the liquid metal radiators.
> Engine mounts that were located on the radiator case.
> Because the project was for a long-range bomber, the control system was modified for subsonic, low altitude, full afterburner operation. It could be operated with jet fuel, nuclear heat, or both together.
Thrust on nuclear power was controlled by varying the flow of the liquid metal through the lithium turbo pump. The lithium metal temperature was maintained at a constant 2000F out of the reactor by manipulating the radioactive fuel rods compared with the liquid metal flow rate. The reactor was rated at 575Mw.
A jet fuel power lever was required for each engine but there was only one nuclear power lever. When the engines were
operated on both chemical jet fuel and nuclear power, the jet fuel power levers set the thrust level and the nuclear power lever controlled the heat added by the reactor. The power plant was capable of operation at up to 55,000 feet.
The entire nuclear propulsion program was cancelled in March of 1961 due to costs, a lack of progress, and changing defense needs including the initial development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). After more than ten years of research and more than $1B, it had not produced anything of use, and might have cost an additional $1B to move forward. A report to Congress stated “at the time of termination an airplane had never been flown on nuclear power, nor had a prototype airplane been built.” The report criticized the program because it lacked direction, had moving goals, and exhibited poor administration.
General Electric had started earlier and had groundtested an engine on nuclear power. The PWAC contract had been signed later in the program. PWAC had completed ground testing of the liquid metal pumps and heat exchangers along with a mockup of a reactor but did not yet have an operating reactor.
Conclusions
Have I ever seen a nuclear-powered jet engine? No. But the program had advanced the technology in high-temperature metals, sophisticated heat exchangers, systems design, and basic science. Some of this progress went into other projects in aviation, energy, and space systems. While the J91/JT9 in
the NEAM collection is not a “nuclear engine,” it is part of the history of exploring nuclear power for aircraft and did form the basis for the J58/JT11. The SR71 is still one of the most amazing aircraft ever built, and in researching these programs I have gained a better appreciation of the work of my father. ✪
Source List
“The Engines of Pratt & Whitney” by Jack Connors
“American Secret Projects: Bombers, Attack & Anti-submarine Aircraft 1945-1974” by Tony Butler
Declassified Report PWAC-275 “Advanced Nuclear Turbojet Powerplant Characteristics Summary for Supersonic Aircraft”
Declassified Report CNLM-2779 “Engineering Proposal for Design and Development Work on a Nuclear Turbojet Propulsion Unit”
“Report to Congress B-146759, Feb 1963” by The Comptroller General, Feb 1963
With special thanks to Gary Roberge, Principal Design Fellow, Pratt & Whitney for helping with this story.
Further Reading
AAHS Journal #3 Fall 2006 “Nuclear Patrol, Attack Seaplane Studies,” by Capt. Albert Raitel, Jr.
“Valkyrie: North American’s Mach 3 Super Bomber,” by Dennis Jenkins and Tony Landis
“U.S. Nuclear Propulsion Program,” by Jack Waid (AFMC History Office)
“Magnesium Overcast – The Story of the Convair B-36,” by Dennis Jenkins
Adult Aerospace and VIP Tours
We were exciTed To launch The second year of adulT aerospace academy programs This spring aT The museum. Programs have included several guest speakers with topics ranging from Howard Hughes, the Space race, and WWII Model Aircraft. The spring series finished up last month on June 22 with guest speaker, Gary Powers Jr., a Cold War historian and the son of Gary Powers Sr., the U2 pilot who was shot down over the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Our VIP tours are one of the newest additions to programming here at the museum. These exclusive experiences allow visitors to see inside four of our typically “off limits” aircraft: the Boeing B-29 “Superfortress,” douglas dC-3, VS-44 “Excambian,” and the ZNPK-28 WWII-era Blimp Control Car. While this tour is open to anyone who signs up, we have been honored to have many people visit who have special connections to these aircraft, including families of B-29 tail gunners, family of a stewardess aboard our VS-44, and more. Interested in taking a tour? Visit www.neam.org for more information on tours and booking. ✪
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Interior of the B- Superfortress Cockpit
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the covert world of Cold War espionage! Explore the very sites in Germany and the Czech Republic where spies, double agents, and secret missions shaped history. Delve into gripping stories of intrigue and deception, including the legendary tale of Gary Powers Sr., the U-2 pilot shot down over the Soviet Union. Join Gary Powers Jr. and Dr. Amanda Goodheart Parks, Director of Education for the New England Air Museum for an exclusive, immersive experience that will transport you back to the heart of the Cold War.
Don’t miss this chance to uncover secrets and walk in the footsteps of history’s most daring spies—sign up now!
October 6 – 15, 2025 | Visit www.neam.org to learn more!