Heritage Flight Museum

Hi Blog!

Today is Thursday, April 14, 2016. It is our first full day in Burlington, Washington. The boys (Eddie and George) decided to sleep in this morning. It's raining and they don't like to get their fur wet. They may wake tomorrow or they may sleep for the next week. It all depends on Mother Nature. While in this area, we are trying to visit with all our Washington relatives before we cross the border into Canada. However, we had some chores to do this morning, so no relatives today. We asked Trip Advisor to find something fun in the Burlington area we could do after our chores. One suggestion was the Heritage Flight Museum. Since it is raining (surprise, surprise) a museum would be a perfect diversion.

Founded in 1996 by Apollo 8 Astronaut Major General William Anders, the Heritage Flight Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and FLYING of historic military aircraft. The Museum is located at the Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington, WA. These are not just historic relics. Theses birds actually fly! Here are some of our favorites.

Mash Copter - The Army first acquired a militarized version of the Bell 47, now called the H13, in 1946. It was the first helicopter to enter into military service in large numbers, and first in combat in Korea. The Army began the practice of naming their helicopters after Native American tribes with the H13 ‘Sioux’. Of course, we remember this bird from the TV show MASH.

Hog Wild - Built in 1942, this T-6D was one of several sold to the Spanish Air Force as a trainer and attack aircraft. It was brought back to the USA in 1991 with several other T-6’s and returned to flying service in 1992. Look closely at the cockpit for the wart hog the plane was re-named after.

PT Stearman - The PT-13 was produced in numbers by Boeing Aircraft from 1936 to 1944. It originally flew on November 26, 1934.  The PT-13 was typical of the biplane primary trainer used during the late 1930’s and WWII.  Can you say, "Snoopy and the Red Baron"? Today, this bird only flies in the summertime. We can certainly understand why, it might be a tad chilly in an open air cockpit.

P-51 Mustang - "Val-Halla" - The P-51 was the “100 day wonder” of WWII.  Originally specified and ordered by Great Britain, the aircraft was designed and built by North American Aviation from the ground up in 100 days.  Built in 1945, this aircraft is believed to have served in the Texas Air Guard and with the Indonesian Air Force.  “Val-Halla” reflects the the colors of the 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, the Black Knights.  This is the squadron Bill Anders flew with, back in 1958.  Anders raced this plane, taking third in the Unlimited Class Silver race. Val-Halla was the Viking name for heaven.  On 30 July, 1941, Andrew Flying Service sold the aircraft to the Underground Flying Club, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii.

The Pearl - On 30 July, 1941, Andrew Flying Service sold the Interstate Cadet shown below to the Underground Flying Club, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. Since all civilian flying was grounded in the Hawaiian Islands for the duration of World War II, it wasn't returned to civilian service until April 24, 1946. This type of plane was flown by Cornelia Fort, the first of the WAFS killed in the line of service. Cornelia taught flying lesson over Pearl Harbor before the Japanese attack. As her student was flying the aircraft to the runway at John Rodgers Airfield, she had to take control of the aircraft to avoid being rammed by one of the attacking Japanese planes!

Ambulance - This Dodge half-ton 4x4 G505 was built in 1941. It was the first Dodge all-military design developed in the build-up to World War II.

MIG-21 - Not every one has a Russian fighter jet in their backyard. This supersonic jet fighter was built in 1959. It is the number one most produced supersonic jet aircraft in aviation history, the most produced combat aircraft since the Korean War, and the longest production run of a combat aircraft. More than 10,000 MIG-21s have been built. You can actually buy one on the internet if you would like your own.

Glacier Aviation operates out of the same building as the Heritage Flight Museum. They specialize in training helicopter pilots, but they also offer helicopter rides. If the weather had been nicer, we may have taken a spin around the neighborhood.

We really enjoyed walking around checking out all the planes. What made this museum different from the other air and space museums we visited is that all of these planes actually fly. In fact, on the third Saturday of every month, they take a few out for a spin. We are hoping to get back on Saturday to see which of the birds fly! Stay tuned.