NMUSAF Curtiss Jenny Restoration Update

Last updated: January 7, 2025 4:11 pm

Adam Estes

Museum restoration specialists Casey Simmons (left) and Dave Robb (right) tack down the fabric covering to the fuselage box frame belonging to the Curtiss JN-4D Jenny at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. (photo by Ken LaRock NMUSAF)

A few weeks ago, we published a story by Adam Estes describing the history of the original Curtiss JN-4D Jenny presently undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. The refurbishment effort is moving along at a significant pace now, reaching the point where the museum specialists can now reapply new fabric to the 105 year old airframe. We thought our readers might enjoy seeing some images of this work underway.

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335272165 960002175033232 6766840510524901235 n — Museum restoration specialist Casey Simmons applies linen fabric to the Curtiss JN-4D Jenny during the restoration process on March 8, 2023 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (photo by Ken LaRock NMUSAF)

335091756 986752598976495 369931691877960852 n 2 — Restoration specialists Duane Jones, Dave Robb and Casey Simmons work on the Curtiss JN-4D Jenny during March 2023 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.. (photo by Ken LaRock NMUSAF)

335073896 594654935867554 8357504147374771075 n — Restoration specialist Dave Robb applies tautening nitrate structural adhesive to the fabric covering the fuselage turtle decking of the Curtiss JN-4D Jenny during the restoration process on March 8, 2023 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (photo by Ken LaRock NMUSAF)

335071022 739394901029497 7766980652528304258 n — Museum restoration specialist Casey Simmons works on the Curtiss JN-4D Jenny during the restoration process on march 8, 2023 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.. (photo by Ken LaRock NMUSAF)

334828495 595596385494541 2536561470805762740 n — Restoration specialist Dave Robb applies tautening nitrate structural adhesive to the fabric on the Curtiss JN-4D Jenny during the restoration process on March 8, 2023 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.. (photo by Ken LaRock NMUSAF)

334073511 3324645504518324 3708436316477456783 n — Restoration specialist Dave Robb applies tautening nitrate structural adhesive to the fabric on the Curtiss JN-4D Jenny during the restoration process on March 8, 2023 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.. (photo by Ken LaRock NMUSAF)

334136171 229392112781186 4139633885130639625 n — Following the application of fabric to the fuselage box frame, museum specialists rotate the assembly to allow the installation of the fuselage turtle decking. (photo by Ken LaRock NMUSAF)

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Raised in Fullerton, California, Adam is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in History. Fascinated by aviation history from a young age, he has visited numerous air museums across the United States, including the National Air and Space Museum and the San Diego Air and Space Museum. He volunteers at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino as a docent and researcher, gaining hands-on experience with aircraft maintenance. Known for his encyclopedic knowledge of aviation history, he is particularly interested in the stories of individual aircraft and their postwar journeys. Active in online aviation communities, he shares his work widely and seeks further opportunities in the field.