In January 2023, we had the pleasure of visiting the Military Aviation Preservation Society’s museum, better known as the MAPS Air Museum. You can read our article HERE. This remarkable institution houses a collection of more than sixty historic aircraft and an extensive array of aeronautical artifacts at its facility within the Akron-Canton Airport, just south of Akron, Ohio. The museum also boasts a highly active restoration shop, where dedicated volunteers with diverse skill sets contribute to the ongoing restoration efforts. The dedicated restoration team at MAPS Air Museum continues to make strides on multiple aircraft projects, with significant progress on the Corsair, F-104, F-105, and Cutlass.
Corsair Advancements
The Corsair’s inner flap structures are now complete, marking a significant milestone in its restoration. With this foundation in place, the team is ready to begin skinning the flaps. The project has also welcomed two new members, Paul and Mark, who have joined Dennis and Dave in the restoration efforts. Project coordinator Dave Pawski told Vintage Aviation News ” We built and tested both wing-folding mechanisms last year for the Corsair. These mechanisms use screw jacks rather than hydraulics and are powered by 12-volt Harbor Freight winch motors. Despite these modifications, the kinematics of the mechanism still follow the original design. Currently, they are constructing the inboard and center wing flaps while making slow but steady progress on the donated main landing gears. Numerous parts have been fabricated for the outer wing panels, and they will soon be covering the tail control surfaces using a new water-based system.” The progress was previously covered in this article and featured in this YouTube video.
F-104 Starfighter Updates
In august 2024, the MAPS Air Museum received a significant F-104D Starfighter from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. HERE you can read our article. Restoration work on the F-104 Starfighter is moving forward, albeit with some challenges. The aircraft has received new tires, but removing the old ones from the rims has proven to be a difficult task. Meanwhile, progress is being made on the nose cone, and repairs to the left wing are well underway. Additionally, the team has begun laying out the damaged left horizontal stabilizer to assess the necessary repairs.
F-105 and ECM Pod
The F-105’s electronic countermeasure (ECM) pod is nearing completion, adding another restored component to the aircraft’s arsenal.
Cutlass Restoration Efforts
The Cutlass has undergone several restoration tasks this week. The team has removed the ammo can covers, which require some additional work before they can be reinstalled. Jerry has made excellent progress in repairing one of the aircraft’s leading-edge slats. Additionally, a large upper fuselage panel was removed, revealing an unexpectedly empty compartment.
Engaging the Next Generation
In an exciting development, students from Stow High School have been actively participating in the restoration of the Cutlass. Their hands-on involvement offers a valuable opportunity to learn about aviation history and aircraft restoration firsthand. With these ongoing efforts, the MAPS Air Museum team continues to preserve and restore historic aircraft, ensuring that these remarkable machines remain a testament to aviation’s rich legacy.
