(Image Credit: MAM / PFS)
NOTE:The latest news on the dissolution of the MAM collection, including the destination of the Focke Wulf Fw 190 and the B-17 “Chuckie” are added at the bottom of this article.
As we recently reported, Jerry Yagen, owner of the Military Aviation Museum (MAM) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, is selling off the collection.
The reasons for the sale are still unknown at this time, but is rumored to have been in the works for a some time, though word has gotten out only recently. It certainly seemed like everything was “normal” when we attended the “2013 Warbirds over the Beach” event just last month, with museum staff discussing future plans and ongoing restorations with us that stretched far into the future.
While no official statement has yet been issued by MAM or Yagen, the Museum’s Facebook page disappeared for a time, though it has just resurfaced with new restrictions on user-posting. On the MAM website, links to future air shows have been removed from the front page, most notably their signature WWI Event, Biplanes and Triplanes, which was to be held in the fall, though the page for the event itself is still there, suggesting that MAM staff are scrambling to adjust to the museum’s new course.
(Image Credit: MAM / PFS)
Platinum Fighter Sales (PFS) of Redondo Beach, California, has announced on their website: “We’re not just in the sales business, were in the information business. Two weeks ago we learned that the Yagen / Military Aircraft Collection was coming up for sale. Platinum Flighter Sales flew back to Virginia Beach and quickly put together a package deal on the B-17G Flying Fortress and FW-190A8” According to PFS, both planes will be going to and “undisclosed new owner in Oregon.” Pictures of the planes, along with the sale announcements were posted by PFS to their Facebook page yesterday.
Oil billionaire and noted warbird enthusiast, Rod Lewis of Lewis Air Legends in Texas is still rumored to be acquiring a significant portion of the collection. He certainly has the financial ability to take on the lion’s share of the collection, adding to the over 30 warbirds he already has in and around the San Antonio area.
More fuel was added to the speculative fire when news that Kermit Weeks of the Fantasy of Flight collection, had just made, as he put it, his “first-ever visit” to the Military Aviation Museum, though he was already in the area, making a trip to the Smithsonian doing research on the Sikorsky S-43 which he recently acquired.
While speculation over the fate of the planes in the massive Yagen collection as well as the status of the approximately 70 restoration projects in various states of completion continues, others have expressed concern for previously-scheduled MAM aircraft appearances at air shows and the knock-on effects on attendance should these headliners not perform. It’s easy to lose sight of perhaps the most important effects of the break-up of this huge collection. There are a great many people whose livelihoods were tied-in to the Yagen aeronautical empire, from the Yagen-owned Fighter Factory and MAM staff, to the myriad restoration shops and their employees who are dependent on the continuance of their work, not to mention the toll this and whatever precipitated these sales must be for Yagen himself, for whom this must be very trying indeed.
We’ll keep abreast of this story as it continues to develop and as more concrete details emerge, we’ll bring them to you.
6/24/13: After we published this article, the Virginian-Pilot news organization reported, after interviewing Mr. Yagen, that he has sold the vocational schools that were the source of his income and can no longer afford to support the vast collection, stating: “I just don’t have the money anymore.”
6/25/13: The Tillamook Air Museum of Tillamook, Oregon has just issued the following press release:
The Tillamook Air Museum, in cooperation with owner and operator Jack Erickson, do hereby announce the acquisition of a WWII B-17G Bomber “Chuckie” and a German Focke-Wulf 190 to its growing collection of historic flying airplanes. The B-17 will make its journey from the east coast to Tillamook this Saturday and is excepted to arrive on Monday (weather dependent). The FW 190 will soon to follow.
This is certainly good news for warbird enthusiasts on the West Coast, particularly as the Tillamook Air Museum is an institution that maintains their craft in flying condition and gives the public the opportunity to see these historic craft where they were meant to be, in the air.
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.
What a shame, it looked like it was his true passion. Lets hope they go into good hands.
If Jerry indeed disposes of his aircraft collection, that still leaves a fabulous aviation museum facility available for someone to capitalize on. I wonder if the Commemorative Air Force, currently looking to establish a National Airbase somewhere, would be interested.
looks like someone’s going to get them selves a nice mossie freashly restored
Hi,
I am looking for a Focke Wulff 190 or/and a Messerschmidt ME 109
Can be flightable. Please good prices.
If there is a ME 109 available without engine, I will also buy. I do have a motor.
Please send me all datas of the planes you have for sale in this category.
Best Regards
Frank
Frank, talk to Simon Brown at Platinum Fighters.
Is this the same B-17G “Chuckie” that was being restored in Pampa, TX. around 1970? If I recall the name had ssomething to do with it’s 1st WWII pilot. I worked on her radios & intercom systems & installed a modern VHF air transceiver in the cockpit. Owner died before bird was fully restored but it was flying as this was 1st aircraft I ever flew in!
Doc Hospers is the WWII pilot and his wife’s nickname was Chuckie. I think he bought it in 1969 and it was restored airworthy in 2008 and he lived to pilot the restoration, but last I heard he died a few years ago. I was a part of the final maintenance crew that completed a depot level wing-spar AD and finally got her into running condition. It was at a Vintage Flying Musem at Meacham Airport, Fort Worth Texas.
Randy Doc Hospers was not a WW2 Pilot. He was only 14y old when WW2 ended