Founder Paul Allen
Microsoft co-founder and Vulcan Ventures founder, Paul
Allen was a billionaire, collector and museum founder including the Experience
Music Project and Science Fiction Museum. He also has
a collection of warbirds including
some of the rarest World War II aircraft
in
the
world. He passed away in October 15, 2018.
Vulcan Warbirds, Inc.
Paul Allen also owns Vulcan Warbirds, Inc. that buys and sells warbirds. There is no guarantee that just because an airframe is currently registered to Vulcan Warbirds that it will become part of the Flying Heritage Collection.
Aquiring Aircraft
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, aircraft and components began to be purchased from other museums and collectors by Vulcan Warbirds, Inc. Sellers signed "non-disclosure" agreements and little or no publicized information
was available about the collection or museum. With all the secrecy, Allen's project was dubbed "Area 51" until the Flying Heritage Collection offically opened in early 2004 at Paine Field.
Restorations
Restoration work for the
collection has been done with other vendors and companies. The P-51D Mustang had restoration work performed at WestPac.
Restoration work on the A6M2 Zero 3852 (Reproduction) was done at Fighter Rebuilders. Some aircraft wrecks were acquired from "75 Squadron".
References
YouTube "Flying Heritage Collection opens to the public in 2004"
Collection on Public Display
Pacific related collection presently on display at the museum located at Paine Field in Everett, WA.
Ki-43-I Oscar Manufacture
Number 750
Acquired
from the Alpine Fighter Collection, displayed at the museum
A6M3 Model 22 Zero 3852 (Replica, Two Seater)
Replica with some parts built in Russia, re-restored at Fighter Rebuilders, displayed at the museum
B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9210
Under restoration to flying status since 1999
B-25J Mitchell 44-30254
Painted in the markings of B-25J 810 with the 341st BG, 490th BS in CBI.
F6F-5 Hellcat 79863
Displayed at the museum
P-40C Warhawk Serial Number 194
Lend lease to Russia, force landed September 27, 1942 near Murmansk, recovered from Russia, restored to flying status with FAA N2689 in AVG markings
PO-2 641543
FAA N46GU
I-16 2421014
Recovered 1991 and rebuilt in Russia. Registered with the FAA as N7459.
P-47D Thunderbolt 45-49406
P-51D "Upupa Epops" 44-72364
8th AF, 353rd FG, 352nd FS assigned to Lt. Harrison B."Bud" Tordoff
Collection in Storage / Restoration
Flying Heritage Collection also has some of their collection in storage at Arlington Municipal Airport in Arlington, WA.
A6M5
Model 52 Zero Manufacture Number 1303
Acquired in 2001. The museum plans to restore it to flying condition
A6M5 Model 52 Zero Manufacture Number 4400 Tail HK-102
Acquired from Planes of Fame Museum, in storage
P-38J "Jandina
III" Serial Number 42-103988
Recovered from Papua
New Guinea in 1999, WestPac in storage at FHC
FG-1D Corsair Bureau Number 88303
Built by Goodyear. FAA N700G
B-25J-25/27-NC Mitchell 44-30254
FAA
N41123
Former Collection
Pacific related collection formally in the collection, since sold or traded.
F-5G Lightning Serial
Number 44-27231
Owned by FHC from 1999- 2002. Sold to The Fighter
Collection in early 2003
B-25D-30 Mitchell 43-3318
Built by North American. Assigned to the RAF serial number KL161. Retained in Canada, ex-N88972, CF-0GQ. Restored by Aero Trader, Chino CA in 1987. Restored to airworthy condition by The Fighter Collection, Duxford, UK and has had its registration number changed to G-BYDR. Purchased summer of 2004 by Vulcan Warbirds and registered N25644 (no longer registered with this number) Registered as N88972 to Historic Flight Foundation.
M4A1 Sherman Medium Tank
Restored to static condition
References
Paul
Allen official website
Vulcan Inc official website
AP "Microsoft co-founder gives vintage warplanes new wings" July 17, 2006
YouTube "Flying Heritage Collection opens to the public in 2004"
