Alaska Aviation Museum

Alaska Aviation Museum
The museum in Summer 2021
Location within Alaska
Former name
Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum
Established1988 (1988)
Coordinates61°10′40″N 149°58′16″W / 61.17778°N 149.97111°W / 61.17778; -149.97111
TypeAviation museum
FounderTed Spencer
Executive directorPhyllis Kilgore
CuratorVacant
Websitewww.alaskaairmuseum.org

The Alaska Aviation Museum, previously the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, is located on Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage, Alaska. Its mission since 1988, is to preserve Alaska's aviation heritage and foster public interest in aviation. It areas of particular focus include bush flying and the World War II Army base on Adak Island.[1]

History

Motivated by the destruction of a collection of historic aircraft in a fire at the then Alaska Transportation Museum four years prior, Ted Spencer founded the Alaska Historical Aircraft Society in 1977.[2][a] The museum opened to the public in 1988 in the former Alaska Aeronautical Industries building.[4][5] The following year, it asked the Alaska State Legislature for funding to purchase the leasing rights for the land on which it sat.[6] It soon set about locating aircraft wrecks in remote areas of the state, aiming to recover them before they were acquired by private collectors.[7][b] With financial assistance from a number of companies and the state legislature, it acquired a Stearman C2B in 1992.[13]

Then, in 1996, it was revealed that the museum was in financial trouble, with visitor numbers decreasing, a number of loans coming due and deferred rent by the Municipality of Anchorage coming to an end. As a result, the museum considered selling some of its aircraft and the mayor, whose audit had discovered the difficulties, proposed moving it to a nearby National Guard Armory.[14] A report that September proposed dissolving the museum's board of directors and that the city take over its operation.[15] A plan by two consultants, released in August 1997, proposed a new board of directors made up of both city and museum personnel.[16] However, two months later, following claims that creditors owed money might seek to seize some of the airplanes, the museum sued the city, arguing that it was unfairly blocking it from selling a Stinson Model A to pay its debts.[17][18] The museum finally sold the airplane in May 1998 and planned to use a portion of the proceeds to buy its property from the city.[19]

An exhibit about the history of helicopters in Alaska opened in June 2016.[20] The museum unveiled an L-1 restoration project that September.[21]

The museum restored its Grumman Goose to flight in May 2024.[22]

Facilities

The museum is made up of the Main, Rasmuson, South, and Cecil Higgins Restoration Hangars; as well as a shelter.[23][24] Also on display is the air traffic control tower cab used at Merrill Field from 1962 to 2002.[25][26]

Exhibits

Exhibits include an art gallery, flight simulator, a display about the 75th anniversary of Alaska Airlines and recreations of a tool shed used by Reeve Aleutian Airways in Valdez, a Quonset hut and storefronts from 4th Avenue in Anchorage.[27]

It is also home to the Alaska Aviation Hall of Fame.[28]

Collection

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ A separate organization, the United States Historical Aircraft Preservation Museum, was active on the other side of Anchorage at Merrill Field in the early 1980s.[3]
  2. ^ These include a PBY in 1987, a Ford Trimotor in 1989, an LB-30 in 1990, a Bellanca Pacemaker in 1995 and a P-40 in 1999.[8][9][10][11][12]

Notes

  1. ^ Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum: About, ARTINFO, 2008, archived from the original on December 3, 2022, retrieved July 24, 2008
  2. ^ Dunham, Mike (August 14, 1994). "To Soar Once More". Anchorage Daily News. pp. N1, N3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  3. ^ Fox, Paul A. (July 12, 1980). "Preserving Aviation Heritage". Anchorage Daily News. p. E-3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  4. ^ "ABOUT US". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  5. ^ "Aviation Museum to Open Here Soon". Anchorage Daily News. June 16, 1987. p. D-3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  6. ^ Rinehart, Steve (July 5, 1989). "Aviation Museum Asks Assembly for Funds". Anchorage Daily News. pp. C-1, C-3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  7. ^ Reeves, Scott (April 18, 1991). "Aviation Museum's Plan to Find, Revive Vintage Planes Takes Flight". Anchorage Times. pp. B1, B5. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  8. ^ "Plane Lifted to City". Anchorage Times. Associated Press. August 24, 1987. p. B-1. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  9. ^ "Tin Goose Salvaged for Aviation Museum". Anchorage Daily News. Associated Press. September 25, 1989. p. H1. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  10. ^ Fosdick, Dean (July 5, 1990). "Aviation Museum Salvages Carcass of Globe-Trotting 'Liberator'". Anchorage Daily News. pp. B1, B3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  11. ^ Jones, Stan (September 3, 1995). "Grandson's Quest Reveals Crash Site". Anchorage Daily News. pp. A1, A12. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  12. ^ Loy, Wesley (May 22, 1999). "War Casualty Makes Final Flight". Anchorage Daily News. pp. E-1, E-3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  13. ^ Price, Nancy (January 20, 1992). "Antique Airplane with a Dignified History Returns to Alaska". Anchorage Times. pp. B1, B8. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  14. ^ Bell, Tom (July 18, 1996). "Salvaging a Museum". Anchorage Daily News. pp. E-1, E-3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  15. ^ Bell, Tom (September 19, 1996). "Museum Dogfight Shapes Up". Anchorage Daily News. pp. C1, C3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  16. ^ Bell, Tom (August 26, 1997). "Experts Say Museum Needs New Site, Director". Anchorage Daily News. pp. A-1, A-8. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  17. ^ Bell, Tom (December 4, 1997). "Creditors May Seize Museum Planes". Anchorage Daily News. pp. B-1, B-3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  18. ^ Ruskin, Liz (December 17, 1997). "Aviation Museum Sues City Over Right to Sell 61-Year-Old Plane". Anchorage Daily News. pp. B-1, B-3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  19. ^ Bell, Tom (May 2, 1998). "For Liberty, Air Museum Sells Jewel". Anchorage Daily News. pp. B-1, B-3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  20. ^ Brehmer, Elwood (June 6, 2016). "Alaska Aviation Museum Opens History of Helicopters". Alaska Dispatch News. p. B-3. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  21. ^ "Hot Picks". Alaska Dispatch News. September 15, 2016. p. 5. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  22. ^ Brokaw, Madelyn; Sowl, Eric (May 29, 2024). "Alaska Aviation Museum Gets Vintage Plane Back Up in the Air". Alaska's News Source. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  23. ^ "Flightline". Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  24. ^ Price, Nancy (July 20, 1991). "Alaska Aircraft Mechanic Pioneer Dies in Tacoma". Anchorage Times. pp. B1, B8. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  25. ^ "MERRILL FIELD CONTROL TOWER CAB". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  26. ^ "Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum and Alaskan Historical Aircraft Society - Merrill Field Control Tower Cab Repair and Construction" (PDF). State of Alaska. May 9, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  27. ^ "Exhibits". Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum. Archived from the original on August 19, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  28. ^ "Hall of Fame". Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  29. ^ "1931 AMERICAN PILGRIM 100B". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  30. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N709Y]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  31. ^ "1944 BEECHCRAFT 18S S/N 7728 AFSN 44-4734". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  32. ^ "1963 UH-1H "HUEY" HELICOPTER". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  33. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Bell UH-1 Iroquois, s/n 65-12849 US, c/n 5186". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  34. ^ "Helicopter UH-1D 65-12849". Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h "Flightline". Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum. Archived from the original on November 16, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  36. ^ "Alaska Airlines B737 Combi". Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  37. ^ "1944 OA-10 1944 PBV-1 Canso 1944 PBY 5A Catalina". Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on August 28, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  38. ^ "FAA Registry [N30023]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  39. ^ "1940 CURTISS P-40E ALEUTIAN TIGER #241". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  40. ^ "1965 DEHAVILLAND BEAVER "PINOCCHIO" N754". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  41. ^ "N754: A Piece of FWS and Aviation History". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. November 7, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  42. ^ "N754 History and Modifications". N754. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  43. ^ "FAA Registry [N43872]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  44. ^ "1924 DOUGLAS WORLD CRUISER "SEATTLE"". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  45. ^ "1938 FAIRCHILD 24G". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  46. ^ "1937 Fairchild 24G N3212". Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  47. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N3212]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  48. ^ "1943 GRUMMAN G-21A "GOOSE"". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  49. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N789]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  50. ^ "1943 GRUMMAN G-44 "SUPER WIDGEON"". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  51. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N13122]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  52. ^ "1966 H-295 HELIO COURIER". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  53. ^ "1929 N374V KEYSTONE/LOENING Model K-84 COMMUTER S/N 313". Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  54. ^ Szabo, S. Jane (July 31, 1998). "History Takes Flight". Anchorage Daily News. p. D-2. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  55. ^ "1974 MCDONALD DOUGLAS F-15 EAGLE". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  56. ^ "AIRCRAFT ON LOAN (by Location)" (PDF). National Museum of the US Air Force. April 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  57. ^ "1943 NOORDUYN NORSEMAN". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  58. ^ "Flightline - Shelter". Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  59. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N725E]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  60. ^ "Piasecki H-21B 54-4004". Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  61. ^ "1955 PIPER "SUPER CUB" PA-18-150". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  62. ^ "1955 Piper Super Cub PA-18A N2869P". Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  63. ^ "Airplane Finds New Home in Museum". Anchorage Daily News. February 27, 1988. p. B1. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  64. ^ "1937 Spartan Executive NC17602". Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum. Archived from the original on December 12, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  65. ^ "1928 STEARMAN C2B". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  66. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Stearman C3B, c/n 121, c/r N5415". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  67. ^ "Antique Stearman goes home" (PDF). GANews & Flyer. March 1992. p. B-7. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  68. ^ "1941 STINSON L-1". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  69. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Stinson L-1F Vigilant, s/n 41-18915 USAAF, c/n 41-18915, c/r N1ZS". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  70. ^ "1944 STINSON V-77 GULLWING S/N 77-36". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  71. ^ "1946 TAYLORCRAFT BC-12D". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  72. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N43606]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  73. ^ "1943 TAYLORCRAFT L-2". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  74. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Taylorcraft L-2 Grasshopper, c/n 5416, c/r N47648". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  75. ^ "1929 TRAVEL AIR S6000B". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  76. ^ "Flightline - Main Hangar". Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  77. ^ "1934 WACO YKC S/N 3991". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
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