 The collection's Polikarpov Po-2 on display. | |
| Former name | Flying Heritage Collection |
|---|---|
| Established | 2004 |
| Location | Paine Field, Everett, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°53′57″N 122°16′47″W / 47.89917°N 122.27972°W / 47.89917; -122.27972 |
| Type | Aviation museum |
| Founder | Paul Allen |
| Owner | Steuart Walton |
| Website | www |
The Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum is a U.S.A. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the display and preservation of rare military aircraft, tanks and other military equipment. The museum reopened on the Memorial Day Weekend 2023.
On rotation in the three working hangars are military artifacts from the United States, Britain, Germany, the Soviet Union, and Japan.
The Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum is based at Seattle-Paine Field International Airport in Everett, WA. Mechanics are typically on-site Monday through Friday, working on maintaining the technology and operating condition. The museum provides guided tours three days a week, hosts a variety of activities, features war conflict simulators, and possesses countless historical artifacts.
History
In 1998, Microsoft Corporation co-founder Paul Allen began acquiring and preserving vintage aircraft. Allen's passion for aviation and history, and his awareness of the increasing rarity of original World War II aircraft, motivated him to restore these artifacts to the highest standard of authenticity and share them with the public.
The Collection opened to the public in 2004 at the Arlington, Washington, airfield, but in 2008 moved to a newly renovated historic industrial hangar located at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, United States. In 2013, the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum added a 22,000 square foot expansion hangar for its expanding collection. In 2018, came another expansion featuring the opening of Hangar C, which added over two dozen artifacts. On March 24, 2017, the Museum changed its name from the Flying Heritage Collection to the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum to reflect the transition from exclusively aircraft to a military vehicle & armament as well. In 2018, the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum became a public 501c(3) nonprofit. On March 3, 2020, the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum temporarily closed due to complications that arose as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In April 2022, the industry magazine Air Classics reported that the museum's collection was sold, promising further details in its June issue. The Dutch Aviation Society reported that the buyer was Steuart Walton, grandson of Walmart founder Sam Walton. The sale was confirmed by CNN and other media in August, 2022. The plan is for the museum to remain in Everett; reopening in 2023 under the stewardship of the Wartime History Museum, a nonprofit established by Walton earlier in 2022.
Walmart heir Steuart Walton's nonprofit, the Wartime History Museum, acquired aviation artifacts from the FHCAM and reopened the museum on Memorial Day Weekend of 2023. The museum remains open to the public in Everett, WA.
_-_Ready_to_fly_view_1..jpg)
List of warbirds
The Flying Heritage and Combat Armory has a number of historic artifacts. Their most valuable collection items are all aircraft. FHCAM also has a large collection of armored fighting vehicles.
United States
United Kingdom
de Havilland D.H.98 Mosquito T.Mk.III
Avro Lancaster B. Mk.I (nose section)
Soviet Union
Polikarpov I-16 Type 24 "Rata"
Imperial Japan
Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Oscar)
Mitsubishi A6M3-22 Reisen (Zero or Zeke)
Nazi Germany
Junkers Ju 87 R-4 Stuka - Under restoration
Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3 (Emil)
List of tanks
The collection features a variety of vehicles and armament dating from WWII to some present-day artifacts. Most of the artifacts are from the United States, Germany, Japan, or the Soviet Union. However, many of these vehicles have changed hands many times before arriving at FHCAM.
United States
United Kingdom
Soviet Union
Germany
Japan
List of artillery
United States
United Kingdom
17-Pounder Mk. I anti-tank gun
Germany
88mm Flak 37 anti-aircraft gun
Japan
List of vehicles
United States
Landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP)
M3A1 half-track personnel carrier
Germany
Volkswagen Kubelwagen Typ 82 Kfz.1
See also
References
- Gates, Dominic (August 4, 2022). "Walmart heir acquires Everett's Flying Heritage Museum from Paul Allen's estate". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
- Podsada, Janice (August 4, 2022). "Flying Heritage Museum to reopen with new owner at Paine Field". The Everett Herald. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
- http://www.flyingheritage.org/
- "ORA: Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum". Retrieved June 2, 2014.
- Catchpole, Dan (11 April 2017). "Growing Flying Heritage Collection now has a new name". HeraldNet. Everett Herald and Sound Publishing, Inc. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- Podsada, Janice (2020-05-28). "Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum will close — for now". HeraldNet.com. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
- Podsada, Janice (April 19, 2022). "Paul Allen's Flying Heritage museum collection reportedly sold". The Everett Herald. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- Gates, Dominic (August 4, 2022). "Walmart heir acquires Everett's Flying Heritage Museum from Paul Allen's estate". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
- Podsada, Janice (August 4, 2022). "Flying Heritage Museum to reopen with new owner at Paine Field". The Everett Herald. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
- "Flying Heritage museum gives update on reopening". Globalair.com. Retrieved 2023-03-22.