With a huge sigh of relief, WarbirdsNews can report that the Yankee Air Museum appears to have been successful in acquiring part of the Willow Run Bomber plant for their new home. Museum officials stated yesterday that they are currently drafting a purchase agreement, and are confident that all parties will sign the document within the next week or so. While they still have some way to go in fully funding both the purchase and the renovations required to render the buildings operable, they have gathered enough cash (roughly US$6million) in both pledges and in-kind donations to move forward. The deadline for reaching this target was Thursday, May 1st, so it is a minor miracle that the YAM has managed to scrape through just in time.
The museum originally estimated that the full acquisition cost, including repairs would be roughly US$8million, but it’s quite possible this number will increase due to the unpredictable nature of any project on this massive scale. Therefore the Yankee Air Museum must continue the “Save the Bomber Plant” campaign for some years to come to ensure their security.
Regardless, it is great to hear that this important site will be preserved, at least in part, as a living, historical artifact. The Yankee Air Museum is to be heartily congratulated in their efforts, but we urge our readers to be vigilant in keeping up on their progress, and contributing where we can. Please click HERE to do your bit.
Click HERE to read our previous articles about the Willow Run Bomber plant.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
as a ex-member & volunteer for 1993-2011 YANKEE AIR MUSEUM, facts can be find from the pass in newspaper articles & inter-net, money was being collected for the NEW MUSEUM & NEW HANGER, before the fire on OCTOBER 9, 2004, EDUCATION CENTER was finance by a outside FOUNDATION, still not being used for education yet, just a storage building, money has been pouring in for over decade, when you ask where, how much is in the fund, you will never received a truthful answer, I know of a FOUNDATION that offer help, you would think that all the donations that came in the pass, would be enough to SAVE THE OLD BOMBER PLANT, where will the extra millions of dollars come to restored the building & grounds ? this museum has been around for 33 years, new museums opening up and growing with static aircraft, great display, ” WHY THIS MUSEUM NEVER RECEIVED STATIC AIRCRAFT FROM THE DIFFRENT BRANCHS OF THE SERVICES ?