Experts in Aircraft Recovery
Although the Museum is located at an airport with an 11,000 foot runway, the vast majority of the Museum's collection has arrived by truck. Over the last 12 years, this has required the Museum to develop a wide range of resources and skill sets to cope with the myriad of difficulties one could encounter in the field.
We have recovered large as small aircraft from across the United States. From locations as varied as Military Bases, WWII aircraft crash sites buried on the beach, bone yards, the country side, etc.
Wide Range of Aircraft Recovery Experience
All most all non-flying aircraft at the Museum were recovered by our Museum staff. The only exceptions were a few aircraft which were flown to the Charlotte airport and no longer fly. Our experience includes:OV-10 (pictured above) F-101, F-102, F-4 Phantoms (3), A-7, A-6, AV-8B Harrier, Cessna Bird Dog, KC-97 (forward cockpit section only), UH-1s, AH-1s, a Jolly Green Giant Helicopter, and a P-47 which was recovered from the beach after having been uncovered by a Hurricane.
Recovery for Other Museums
Our unique expertise has even been requested by other museums such as the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Recently we sent a team to California to recover an F-4S Phantom jet fighter for the OV-10 Association's museum in Texas.
(Recovery of F4-S for the OV-10 Association)
Join Us on a Recovery Project
Although many of our team members have significant experience in recovering aircraft, we are always looking for and welcoming those who want to participate in these exciting recovery projects. You do not need any prior experience, just a wiliness to help out, learn, and have fun.
If you would like to join us on a recovery project or are in need of assistance in recovering a historic aircraft, please contact us:
Carolinas Aviation Museum
Aircraft Recovery Projects - Acquisitions Director
4108 Airport Drive
Charlotte, NC 28208
e-mail at: [email protected]
Phone 704-359-8442, Fax 704-359-0057
(Recovery of OV-1D parts)
Recovery of F-4S Phantom II from Cherry Point MCAS - 2004
