Shaping our Collection
The recent arrival of our newly-acquired BT-13 provides us with a perfect opportunity to shed some light on the Museum’s aircraft collection policies. Indeed, one of the most common questions we hear from our visitors is: ‘What is next for the collection?’… or perhaps more accurately, ‘Is there anything you are still looking for?’
The answer is, of course, an emphatic YES! However, while we have compiled a list of artifacts we hope to obtain, it does evolve over time – changing as new opportunities emerge or others fade away. Because of the list’s transitory nature, therefore, it may make more sense to discuss the process by which we formulate such things.
The Mission Statement:
It all starts with our mission statement: The Military Aviation Museum honors the heroes who built, flew and maintained America’s military aircraft. By sharing their stories through exhibitions and events, we promote an understanding of history, science, service and sacrifice that will inspire and educate visitors of all ages.
So – from the onset – our mission sets forth that we are here to tell a story. While the statement itself does not constrain our storytelling to themes surrounding World War II, that era is perhaps what we are best known for. The Museum’s scope, however, adds a further lens through which we focus our efforts.
The Scope:
The scope of our Museum experiences, collections and programs is shaped by our belief in the significance of the time period that begins in WWI and ends at the conclusion of WWII, when America emerges as a world power willing to fight to guarantee the freedom of others. Our scope is further defined by our interpretation of the aircraft as the seminal reflection of major advances both socially and technologically within the United States at the time.
The scope, of course, is subject to change – and it has done so over time, helping guide the Museum’s growth. Of course, many people’s immediate assumption of what should come next often jumps to: You should get a Huey! And such an acquisition would certainly interest many of our guests! Even so, the board would have to carefully evaluate such a decision because it would require us to adjust our scope. We would also have to declare our intention to grow a Vietnam War collection. To properly incorporate the stories from that era, a Helicopter would offer a great launching point, but one insufficient on its own; it would have to be part of a larger acquisition strategy. Jerry Yagen, the Museum’s Founder, may have put it best when he said “There is no way it will stop at just one!”
So, revisiting our scope as currently articulated again; our intention is to tell an American story within a global context. As the collection is split internally between WWI and WWII, let’s focus upon the WWII aspect for right now. Examining the American Experience of World War II does allow room for foreign aircraft acquisitions – prioritizing those which intersect strongly with American narratives. In this context, even though an Ilyushin Il-2 fits within our remit, a Messerschmitt Bf 109 is far more desirable because of its role as one of America’s quintessential adversaries in the skies over Nazi-occupied Europe.
Other Considerations:
There are other considerations which must also form part of our selection criteria. For instance, which kind of historical artifact is available, and what resources do we have to act upon its acquisition? These are two key factors affecting our decisions. Additionally, when we take an aircraft on, we have to consider such details as its situation, the available space (i.e. will it fit in our Hangars?), its operating costs, and whether it can actually be operated. An airplane’s ‘situation’ can be a little abstract without an example; basically it boils down to, what will happen if we don’t act? Will an aircraft be lost or destroyed through our inaction? We, of course, strive to ensure this never occurs.
Keep Em Flying:
At our core, we are a flying museum, so the question of operability also applies to our vision. We want the Museum to be a place defined by the remarkable experiences we create here, and flying the airplanes is a vital aspect of this aspiration. But does this mean that a non-flying airplane is unwelcome here? Of course not! However, it does mean that a flying example (or one which could be made flyable) will take priority.
Airframe History:
An airframe’s specific history is also an important consideration. We ask ourselves questions such as: “Do we know who flew it? Was it in theatre on D-Day? Was it actually aboard an Aircraft Carrier in the Pacific?” Answers to such questions have enormous bearing on a conversation like this – and it is always a conversation. Our Collections Committee consists of our Curatorial staff, the Museum Director and members of the Museum’s Board of Directors – ensuring that a range of diverse perspectives are invited to work together in analyzing what we should take on.
People approach the question of what we should seek to acquire from different directions, of course. Some examine it from a narrative angle; having identified particular stories missing from the Museum’s portfolio, they look for aircraft to satisfy these omissions. For example, we have assessed that the story of America’s Airborne Forces is under-represented in our collection presently, so a C-47 is a compelling aircraft for these folks. That being said, these same people would declare that a ‘journeyman’ airframe would not sufficiently fill this hole, it would have to be a C-47 with sufficient provenance. Was it actually there on D-Day, for instance, or did it fly during Operation MARKET GARDEN?
The numbers-driven side of the discussion is a little different, however! If the ‘narrative folks’ are examining the depth of an airplane’s historical impact – the numbers-driven side of the house is looking at the breadth of impact which a particular aircraft type had on the war. The very same C-47 might be of interest to them because the US produced over 16,000 examples of this aircraft type, meaning that it touched almost every aspect of WWII. Indeed Eisenhower identified the C-47 as one of the four crucial instruments (alongside the Atomic Bomb, the Jeep and the Bazooka) which secured the Allied victory in WWII. The C-47 was the only aircraft on this list.
Then there are those who wish to select an aircraft from an operability perspective. They ask questions like: Can it fly from our grass runway? How reliable is it to operate? Is it reasonable to get pilots checked out in it? Are there flight and operations manuals supporting this type of aircraft, and what about spare parts availability? Essentially, their questions all narrow down to: ‘Can we support it?’ For instance, a C-47 is an example of an airplane with a long post-war history, which makes them highly supportable today. There is an established pilot pool for these aircraft, and a similar selection of qualified maintenance personnel, so there is a lot of operating know-how. Spare parts are also relatively plentiful for the type too.
Ultimately, everyone comes back to a single, final question. Are we the best place for it?
With respect to the BT-13, this is a challenge we can answer easily! The aircraft’s prior owner, Phillip Wolford, ferried it to Virginia Beach for us in late April - and after seeing it alongside other aircraft on the Museum’s ramp, he exclaimed that this was definitely the right place for it! That matters to us here at the Museum, because we know that we are caretakers of this history. Everyone who helps keep these airplanes around for another generation becomes a part of their story, woven into the very fabric from which they were formed. Such caretakers become part of our story here at the Museum too – as Wolford demonstrated, by immediately jumping in and sharing the aircraft with a Home-educators group visiting the Museum on the day the BT arrived!
Phillip Wolford, at right, soon after he delivered his former Vultee BT-13 Valiant to the Military Air Museum was greeted by a home-schooling group soon after his arrival. Seeing his cherished aircraft about to take up a new life in bringing new generations up to speed on the Greatest Generation's accomplishments prompted Wolford to smile, and acknowledge that it was now 'in the right place'. He was soon showing these kids what the aircraft was all about, and it is clear from the following images that they loved the experience... as did Wolford. This is what the Museum is ALL ABOUT! (image by Keegan Chetwynd)
Philip Wolford (in black shirt near wing trailing edge) is positively beaming after seeing this girl's reaction to having the opportunity to look inside the BT-13's cockpit. Seeing members of the youngest generation brimming with excitement when they get to see, hear and touch aircraft which members of the Greatest Generation flew eighty years earlier, (aged only a little older than the kids seen here) is a great joy, and something which the Museum's entire purpose revolves around. (image by Keegan Chetwynd)
Even some of the parents of the home-schooled kids took their turns examining the BT-13's cockpit following its arrival in Pungo on April 23rd. (image by Keegan Chetwynd)
Even some of the parents of the home-schooled kids took their turns examining the BT-13's cockpit following its arrival in Pungo on April 23rd. (image by Keegan Chetwynd)
Deaccessioning:
Our whole team – from the Board Members through to our dedicated band of 250+ volunteers – believes in finding the wisest use for these preserved artifacts from our past. And if our Museum is the best place for them, that is great! However, sometimes, we have to accept that a given aircraft may be better off somewhere else. And when this occurs, we all agree to find a new home for it, a place where its stories are more relevant – or where the community to support them is stronger.
This is when a practice referred to as Deaccessioning kicks in. If, after careful examination, we determine that one of our artifacts might be better suited elsewhere, then we work to find a new home for it. It requires a vote from the Board (after they receive a recommendation from the Collections Committee). To help the Board make its decision, each aircraft which enters the Deaccession process must be accompanied by a detailed information report presenting why the airframe no longer fits the Museum’s long-term plans. The whole exercise is designed to safeguard against bad decisions.
Once deaccession is decided upon, the surplus artifact is then listed on our collection management page, where it can be viewed as being available for sale or trade. Our work to re-home aircraft prioritizes placing them in venues which will display them in publicly accessible ways, although there are allowances for private ownership too. To view the items presently on our Deaccession List, along with details describing our decision to part with them, please click here. Perhaps you, or your organization will soon provide the perfect new home for them!
