For current USAM Newsletter click here.
Who
We Are
The United States Aviation Museum (USAM) is made up of a volunteer group
of aviation enthusiasts from all walks of life. Members have a broad
experience, not only in aviation-related disciplines, but professional,
managerial, and clerical talents as well. More than that, we have a
deep fondness for aviation and its history, and wish, through the Museum,
to share this fondness with the public.
History
The USAM was founded as a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) Ohio corporation
in July of 1992 with the purpose of acquiring, restoring, and displaying
historical aircraft and related artifacts in a facility that will enhance
the various displays for present and future generations.
Our Goal
A multifaceted
program of acquisition, restoration and display of historic civil, experimental,
and military aircraft and related artifacts located at an active airport.
Establish an Aviation Library for research. Create a Center for Learning
for aviation related topics and subjects.
Displays and Events
Throughout each year, USAM will offer many interesting and attractive activities, which will appeal to all levels of the communities. Particular emphasis will be placed on family involvement when these activities are finalized. To date, the USAM has sponsored six static aircraft displays at airports in Willoughby and Akron, Ohio, the I-X Center at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and at the Erie, PA International Airport. Several classes have been conducted off-site to teach youngsters "how airplanes fly".
The
United States Aviation Museum was founded as a not-for-profit 501 c)
(3) Ohio corporation in July of 1992 with its facilities located in
Wickliffe, Ohio. This facility, although adequate for the time, was
recognized as a first step for the Museum's future. The Museum needed
to be located at an active airport where restored aircraft can be flown.
The purpose of the Museum is to acquire, restore, and display historical
aircraft and aviation-related artifacts as well as to preserve and dispense
aviation history in a facility that will enhance the various displays
of the Museum for present and future generations.
Donations of books, manuscripts and artifacts exceeded our expectations
for such a young Museum. While at the Wickliffe facility, the Museum
had three aircraft under cover, with restoration being started on two
of them. When the lease on the facility was terminated by the building
owners for a more lucrative long-term lease, two of the aircraft were
moved to other Museums as adequate facilities could not be found in
this area. Currently the Museum has opened an Annex in Shoregate Shopping
Center, Willowick, Ohio where displays and artifacts have been established,
a Library is under- construction and a Center for Learning has been
completed. This Center for Learning will teach students of all ages
how airplanes fly and the various forces that act upon an airplane.
More advanced courses are planned in the future.
The major restoration project to be undertaken by the Museum is to put
the world's last restorable Boeing B-29 Superfortress in the air. Out
of the 3,970 B-29's manufactured, only one remains flying today. We
will make that two! This restoration of "Doc" is now going
on at the Boeing
Wichita plant.
Powered
flight was born in Ohio and fueled by the many aviation-related corporations
of northern Ohio. To our knowledge, there is not one other operating,
privately funded, Aviation Museum located in our state. The Museum will
serve to bring back, not only to the north coast, but to the nation,
the importance of northern Ohio's contributions to powered flight. While
not well known, northern Ohio produced many aircraft. During WW 1, the
Glenn L. Martin Company produced flying boats in a factory located a
16800 St. Clair Avenue. In Niles, Ohio, the Engle Company also produced
aircraft to aid in the war effort. What is now the I-X Center, was a
B-29 Bomber production facility. While only one complete B-29 was produced
there, major sub components of the B-29 were produced there until war's
end. The hybrid Fisher Eagle was also produced there. In Akron, Goodyear
produced all of the Navy's blimps as well as some dirigibles. The famous
Chance Vought F4U "Corsair", a Navy and Marine fighter plane was also
produced by Goodyear during WW II.
It has been said that very few American WW II aircraft flew that did
not contain many components manufactured in northern Ohio. From landing
gear made by Cleveland Pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic pumps, and engine
valves from Thompson Products (TRW), paints by Sherwin Williams, and
instrument and landing lights by General Electric. Northern Ohio's manufacturers
"kept 'em" flying". Besides these companies many, many other companies
both large and small - too many to mention here, manufactured parts,
assemblies, structures and a variety of components to the military.
Northern Ohio's companies are still heavily involved in the production
of aircraft parts and components to the aviation industry, and let's
not forget NASA.
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One of USAM's members and artist in residence is Owen Hughes, shown here at his easel working on nose art for "Doc". He spent four and one-half years in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War 11 as an artist and sign painter in the 8th Air Force, then later in the 9th Air Force. He then transferred to the 441st Troup Carrier Group where he assembled and did all of the art work for a historical book for and about that group. At the conclusion of the war he was put in charge of all art and sign work for the 9th Troup Carrier Command in an Air Force exhibit under the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. |
The directors and officers of the Museum oversee the Museum's operation, chart its future course, and establish and implement the Museum's policies, projects, and priorities. The officers give guidance and direction to the volunteers. The Museum's directors and officers, like all members, are hands-on volunteers involved in the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities and all other Museum sponsored activities.
Yearly
dues are $60.00. Each new member will receive a "Welcome Aboard"
package which includes pertinent info about USAM, a cap with the USAM
logo, a very nice shirt with patch and name tag and a monthly newsletter.
To see the current newsletter click
here - for a printable application click
here.
Help us restore"Doc" and keep aviation education alive by
becoming a member of the USAM.