United States Army Aviation Museum

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Address(1)P.O. Box 620610
Address(2)Fort Rucker
CityOzark
StateAlabama
Zip36362-5134
CountryUSA
Contact 
Phone334-598-2508
Fax 
GiftshopYes

 
 
Exhibits - By Primary role
Airplane, Observation - 'AO' 1956-1962
 Goodyear XAO-3G1 (Inflatoplane) Serial No: Unknown  (* In Storage *)
Commercial Transport (Germany)
 Dornier DO-27 Serial No: DO27-B-361  (* In Storage *)
Convertiplane - 'V' 1952-1956
 McDonnell XV-1 (Convertiplane) Serial No: 53-4016  (* In Storage *)
Electronics - 'E' 1962-Present
 Windecker YE-5A Serial No: N4196G  (* In Storage *)
Fighter (France)
 Nieuport N.28C-1 ("28") Serial No: 17-6531 
Fighter (UK)
 Sopwith F.1 (Camel) Serial No: Unknown 
Helicopter, Observation - 'HO' 1956-1962
 Brantly YHO-3 Serial No: 58-1496  (* In Storage *)
Helicopter - 'H' 1948-Present
 American Helicopter XH-26 Serial No: 50-1840  (* In Storage *)
 Bell H-13B (Sioux) Serial No: 48-827  (* In Storage *)
 Bell H-13C (Sioux) Serial No: 48-845  
 Bell H-13D (Sioux) Serial No: 51-2456  (* In Storage *)
 Bell OH-13E (Sioux) Serial No: 51-14193  (* In Storage *)
 Bell OH-13E (Sioux) Serial No: 51-14218  
 Bell OH-58A (Kiowa) Serial No: 68-16687 (* In Storage *)
 Bell OH-58A (Kiowa) Serial No: 68-16903  (* In Storage *)
 Bell OH-58A (Kiowa) Serial No: 71-20468  (* In Storage *)
 Bell OH-58A (Kiowa) Serial No: 72-21228  (* In Storage *)
 Bell OH-58D (KIOWA WARRIOR) Serial No: 69-16322  
 Bell TH-13T (Sioux) Serial No: 67-17024  
 Bell XH-40 Serial No: 55-4459  (* In Storage *)
 Bell YAH-63A Serial No: 74-22247  (* In Storage *)
 Boeing-Vertol YUH-61A Serial No: 73-21656 (* In Storage *)
 Boeing/Vertol CH-47A (Chinook) Serial No: 60-3451 
 Boeing/Vertol CH-62 (HLH Project) Serial No: 73-22012 (* In Storage *)
 Cessna YH-41 (Seneca) Serial No: 56-4244  (* In Storage *)
 Hiller H-23A (Raven) Serial No: 51-3975  
 Hiller OH-23B (Raven) Serial No: 51-16142  
 Hiller OH-23F (Raven) Serial No: 62-12508 (* In Storage *)
 Hiller YH-32 (Hornet) Serial No: 55-4963  (* In Storage *)
 Hiller YH-32 (Hornet) Serial No: 55-4965  (* In Storage *)
 Hiller YOH-5A Serial No: 62-4206  (* In Storage *)
 Hughes TH-55A (Osage) Serial No: 67-16795  
 Hughes TH-55A (Osage) Serial No: 67-16966  (* In Storage *)
 Hughes TH-55A (Osage) Serial No: 67-18000  (* In Storage *)
 Kaman HH-43 (Huskie) Serial No: 61-38101  (* In Storage *)
 Lockheed XH-51A Serial No: 61-51262  (* In Storage *)
 Lockheed XH-51A Serial No: 61-51263  (* In Storage *)
 Lockheed YAH-56A (Cheyenne) Serial No: 66-8830 (* In Storage *)
 Lockheed YAH-56A (Cheyenne) Serial No: 66-8832 
 McCulloch YH-30 Serial No: 52-5837  (* In Storage *)
 McDonnell-Douglas YAH-64A (Apache) Serial No: 74-22248  (* In Storage *)
 McDonnell-Douglas YAH-64A (Apache) Serial No: 74-22249  
 Piasecki (Vertol) CH-21B (Shawnee) Serial No: 53-4369  (* In Storage *)
 Piasecki (Vertol) CH-21C (Shawnee) Serial No: 56-2040 
 Piasecki H-25A (Army Mule) Serial No: 51-16616 
 Sikorsky CH-34A (Choctaw) Serial No: 53-4526  (* In Storage *)
 Sikorsky CH-37B (Mojave) Serial No: 55-0644 
 Sikorsky CH-54A (Skycrane) Serial No: 68-18438 
 Sikorsky H-19C (Chickasaw) Serial No: 51-14272  (* In Storage *)
 Sikorsky H-19D (Choctaw) Serial No: 55-3221  
 Sikorsky H-5G (Dragonfly) Serial No: 48-558 (* In Storage *)
 Sikorsky VCH-34A (Choctaw) Serial No: 56-4320 
 Sikorsky XH-39 Serial No: 49-2890  (* In Storage *)
 Sikorsky XH-59A Serial No: 73-21942 (* In Storage *)
 Sikorsky YH-18A Serial No: 49-2888  (* In Storage *)
 Sikorsky YUH-60A (Black hawk) Serial No: 73-21651  
Helicopter - 'H' 1962-Present
 Bell AH-1F (Cobra) Serial No: 67-15524  (* In Storage *)
 Bell AH-1G (Cobra) Serial No: 66-15246 
 Bell AH-1G (Cobra) Serial No: 71-15090 
 Bell AH-1J (Sea Cobra) Serial No: 72-2504  (* In Storage *)
 Bell AH-1S (Huey Cobra) Serial No: 66-15248  (* In Storage *)
 Bell AH-1S (Huey Cobra) Serial No: 68-17109  (* In Storage *)
 Bell AH-1S (Huey Cobra) Serial No: 70-16072 
 Bell UH-1A (Huey) Serial No: 59-1695  (* In Storage *)
 Bell UH-1B (Huey) Serial No: 60-3553 
 Bell UH-1B (Huey) Serial No: 60-3554  
 Bell UH-1B (Huey) Serial No: 61-0792  (* In Storage *)
 Bell UH-1B (Huey) Serial No: 61-1884  (* In Storage *)
 Bell UH-1B (Huey) Serial No: 62-2099  
 Bell UH-1H (Iroquois) Serial No: 63-08781  (* In Storage *)
 Bell UH-1H (Iroquois) Serial No: 64-13858  (* In Storage *)
 Bell UH-1H (Iroquois) Serial No: 65-09974  
 Bell UH-1H (Iroquois) Serial No: 68-15595  (* In Storage *)
 Bell UH-1H (Iroquois) Serial No: 68-16404  (* In Storage *)
 Bell UH-1M (Huey) Serial No: 65-09446  (* In Storage *)
 Bell UH-1M (Huey) Serial No: 65-12740  (* In Storage *)
 Bell UH-1M (Huey) Serial No: 66-15156  (* In Storage *)
 Bell YUH-1D (Iroquois) Serial No: 60-6030  
 McDonnell-Douglas OH-4A Serial No: 62-4201  (* In Storage *)
 McDonnell-Douglas OH-6A (Osage) Serial No: 65-12917 (* In Storage *)
 McDonnell-Douglas OH-6A (Osage) Serial No: 65-12962 
 McDonnell-Douglas OH-6A (Osage) Serial No: 68-17340 
 McDonnell-Douglas YOH-6A (Cayuse) Serial No: 62-4213  (* In Storage *)
Helicopter (USA)
 Bell 207 Serial No: N73927  (* In Storage *)
 Lockheed CL-475 Serial No: N6940C  (* In Storage *)
Liaison - 'L' 1942-1962
 Aeronca L-16A Serial No: 47-924  
 Aeronca L-3A (Grasshopper) Serial No: 42-7797  (* In Storage *)
 Boeing YL-15 (Scout) Serial No: 47-429  (* In Storage *)
 Cessna L-19 (Bird Dog) Serial No: Unknown  (* In Storage *)
 Cessna L-19A (Bird Dog) Serial No: 50-1327  
 Cessna L-19A (Bird Dog) Serial No: 51-4943  (* In Storage *)
 Convair L-13A Serial No: 46-159  (* In Storage *)
 Helio YL-24 (Courier) Serial No: 52-2540  (* In Storage *)
 Interstate L-6A (Cadet) Serial No: 43-2560  (* In Storage *)
 Piper L-18C (Grasshopper) Serial No: 52-2536  (* In Storage *)
 Piper L-4A (Grasshopper) Serial No: 42-15174  (* In Storage *)
 Piper L-4B (Grasshopper) Serial No: 43-515  
 Piper TL-21A (Grasshopper) Serial No: 51-15782  (* In Storage *)
 Ryan L-17A (Navion) Serial No: 47-1344  (* In Storage *)
 Ryan L-17B (Navion) Serial No: 48-1046 (* In Storage *)
 Stinson L-1A (Vigilant) Serial No: 40-3141  (* In Storage *)
 Stinson L-5 (Sentinel) Serial No: 42-99103  (* In Storage *)
 Stinson L-5G (Sentinel) Serial No: 45-34985  (* In Storage *)
 Taylorcraft L-2A (Grasshopper) Serial No: 42-35872  
 Taylorcraft L-2A (Grasshopper) Serial No: NC47301  (* In Storage *)
Observation & Communication (UK)
 Auster AOP.9 Serial No: XP-277  (* In Storage *)
Observation - 'O' 1962-Present
 Lockheed YO-3 (Q-Star) Serial No: 69-18000 (* In Storage *)
Patrol - 'P' 1962-Present
 Lockheed AP-2E (Neptune) Serial No: 61-31485 (* In Storage *)
Pioneer (Pre WW-I) (USA)
 Wright 1911B (Flyer) Serial No: 003  
Primary Trainer - 'PT' 1925-1947
 Stearman PT-17 (Kaydet) Serial No: 41-7121  (* In Storage *)
Pursuit - 'P' 1925-1947
 North American P-51D (Mustang) Serial No: 44-72990  (* In Storage *)
Racer - 'R' 1919-1924
 Thomas-Morse R-5 Serial No: 51-24352  
Research - 'X' 1948-Present
 Schweizer/Lockheed X-26B Serial No: 67-15345  (* In Storage *)
Rotary Wing (Helicopter) - 'R' 1941-1947
 G & A (Firestone) XR-9B Serial No: 46-001  (* In Storage *)
 Sikorsky R-4B (Hoverfly) Serial No: 43-46592 
 Sikorsky R-5D (Dragonfly) Serial No: 43-46645 
 Sikorsky R-6A (Hoverfly) Serial No: 43-45473 
Rotorcycle - 'RO' 1954-1959
 Gyrodyne XROE-1 Serial No: 4004  (* In Storage *)
Scout (UK)
 Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a Serial No: 18-0012  
Trainer - 'T' 1948-Present
 Beech T-42 (Cochise) Serial No: 65-12697  (* In Storage *)
 Cessna T-37A (Tweet) Serial No: 56-3466  (* In Storage *)
 Cessna T-41B (Mescalero) Serial No: 67-15161  (* In Storage *)
 North American T-28B (Trojan) Serial No: 53-7747 (* In Storage *)
 North American T-39A (Sabreliner) Serial No: 61-0685 (* In Storage *)
Transport - 'C' 1925-1962
 Cessna LC-126C Serial No: 51-6998 (* In Storage *)
Transport - 'C' 1962-Present
 Beechcraft C-12C (Huron) Serial No: 73-22250  (* In Storage *)
 Beechcraft RC-12D (Huron) Serial No: 80-23376  (* In Storage *)
 De Havilland Canada YC-7A (Caribou) Serial No: 57-3080 
Undesignated Aircraft - '!UND' 1909-1919
 Bleriot XIII Serial No: Unknown  
 Curtiss JN.4D (Jenny) Serial No: 18-2780  
 Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2C Serial No: 1780  
Utility Transport (USA)
 Piper J3 (Cub) Serial No: 40-0003  
Utility - 'U' 1952-Present
 Aero Commander YU-9A Serial No: 52-6219 (* In Storage *)
 Beechcraft JU-21D (Ute) Serial No: 70-15888  (* In Storage *)
 Beechcraft RU-8D (SEMINOLE) Serial No: 56-3712 (* In Storage *)
 Beechcraft U-8G (Seminole) Serial No: 58-1359  (* In Storage *)
 Beechcraft YU-21 (Ute) Serial No: 63-12900  (* In Storage *)
 Cessna U-3A Serial No: 57-5863  (* In Storage *)
 De Havilland Canada U-1A (Otter) Serial No: 57-6135  
 De Havilland Canada YU-6A (Beaver) Serial No: 51-6263 
V/STOL - 'V' 1956-Present
 Bell XV-3A (Tilt-Rotor) Serial No: 54-148 (* In Storage *)
 Grumman OV-1B (Mohawk) Serial No: 62-05860 
 Grumman YOV-1A (Mohawk) Serial No: 57-6539  (* In Storage *)
 Hawker XV-6A (Kestrel) Serial No: 64-18264A  (* In Storage *)
 Ryan XV-5B Serial No: 62-04506 (* In Storage *)
VTOL Research - 'VZ' 1956-1962
 Curtiss-Wright VZ-7AP Serial No: 58-5508  (* In Storage *)
 Ryan VZ-3 (Vertiplane) Serial No: 56-6941  (* In Storage *)
[Not yet classified]
  CH-347 Serial No: 65-7992 (* In Storage *)
  DH-1A Serial No: 002  (* In Storage *)
  H-1 Serial No: LWL-H-1  (* In Storage *)
  MI-4 Serial No: Unknown  (* In Storage *)
  RSRA Serial No: NASA740  (* In Storage *)

 

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 hueydog
 , Minnesota

I graduated from Ft Rucker in 1968, and have been back many times over my career - I retire next month. Last night I happened to be going through slides, and find I have photos from the museum from '68, '81, '95, and '01. The Army has done a fantastic job of obtaining prototype aircraft that fall into their 'domain'. It has done a less than steller job of 'preserving' them. Manpower and $$$ enter into the preserving aspect. The Army Aviation Museum originally got launched as a private tax free organization to care for these aircraft. Unlike the USAF and the USN the majority of the army's flight program were 'high school' graduates, not 'college graduates' as the other services. Hence the loyalty, and earning potential of those that moved on or even stayed in the service was considerably less than the other services. So donations didn't roll in like the other services. That and Dothan Alabama is not a trourist destination like Pensacola or Dayton is, so the number of "walk in's" and donations is less. In the 90's I was there twice and did some research while there. There was a full time staff of 4-5, two maintainers, and two admin and a historian who did all research and correspondence. You could not watch a "Wings" episode on cable without seeing the museum and their historian listed as a contributor. Gift shop workers are 'volunteer' worker. In the 90's, the museum foundation turned the museum back over to the US Army to keep from going bankrupt. The army took it back but then when their budget was cut, they cut the museum's budget and they went to a staff of 2. The historian moved over to the Safety Branch. Space: Originally all the old prototypes were spaced in the old WWII wood hangers and you could request it be opened to you. Lighting wasn't the best, but there was space between the aircraft and placards telling you its significance. More currant types such as the T-37, and P1127 were sitting on concrete pads between the hangers. As more aircraft arrived they had to be squeezed into the hangers or the fence area and access was restircted. Ultimately it became as crowded as my closet. And in general aircraft outside got no care. The last time I gained access to the hangers I wanted to cry. With no proper equipment (handling wheels) to move skid equiped aircraft, ropes and tractors were used. For manpower, WOC candidates were gotten from the WOC program across the street. The second Lockheed XH-51A compound aircraft was moved in next to the McDonnell XV-1. Ropes were thrown over the horizontal stabilator and it was towed backwards (skids, no wheels). The ropes cut through the stabilator on both sides til stopped by the spar. The aircraft was towed/pushed back until the wingtip broke through the nose bubble of the XV-1 and left to sit like that. Elsewhere the early helicopters like the Jovair and Lockheed CLwere under a thick blanket of dust with blades overlapped or removed with perhaps two feet between airframes The HLH was once the gate guard, then moved back to the fenced area. There it slowly disintegrated. At one point it was nearly ready to fly and those that say is was a mock up are wrong. Boeing manufactured a dummy head and other dummy componenents for it prior to shipping it to Ft Rucker, and kept the real components at the factory. It was lack of personnel and $$ in maintaining these aircraft at least in a survival mode. The post commander felt he needed to either remove or fix up the HLH as he had a major post anniversary scheduled. After checking with Ft Eustis, the owner of all these aircraft, it was decided the HLH had never flown, hence was never a true prototype and could be struck. Hence the demolition. What is a shame is that other museums were not notified. There are several that would have taken part if not all the aircraft if notified. Now that the WWII hangers are being removed and the aircraft being dispersed around base in other buildings I can only hope that there is a plan to ultimately build a hanger big enough to protect them and utimately restore them to display standards. The staff have done there best for years against lack of interest from higher ups, lack of funds, space, and help. The volunteers who keep the museum moveing slowly forward are to be congratulated. I keep hopeing to win the lottery so I could donate a building big enough to move the US Army Aviation Museum up to the league of their bigger brothers. Help if you can.
01/27/2009 @ 07:20 [ref: 8642]


 

External pages about this museum
http://www.armyavnmuseum.org/


Last updated: 02/14/00.

Send corrections/additions by e-mail to museum-info@brooklyn.cuny.edu