Before leaving Charlotte last week, I stopped in for a visit at the Carolinas Aviation Museum, located on the KCLT airport. It's a nice little museum, with some interesting exhibits, and a friendly group of volunteers.
They have a very clean DC-3 in Piedmont colors. I've seen photos of her in flight from 2010, but I don't know if they still fly her - and I never thought to ask while I was there...
There's a gaggle of retired military aircraft.
Yes, that's a familiar looking tail behind the Tomcat...
The restored Eastern Airlines DC-7 that visited FRG last summer for filming Pan Am is at the museum. A few months ago, they had engine problems during a visit to CLT, and she is parked at the museum until repairs can be made.
A closer look reveals the "Clipper Atlantis" title she wore for the filming. In the photo above, the remains of the "Pan Am" N-number also can be seen on the aft fuselage.
They have about 8 aircraft on the ramp outside of the hangar, but visitors are unable to get up close - they have been working on permission to escort guests onto the ramp, but a couple of recent security incidents at the airport has put that plan on hold.
Their most famous aircraft is N106US, the US Airways Airbus A320 best know for its Hudson River landing. The aircraft was moved to the museum for display, as CLT was its destination that day. A team of volunteers is working to complete the display of the aircraft. In addition to the airframe itself, they have a number of displays and videos telling the story of the flight.
The museum is housed in a nice hangar, which they moved into two years ago, on a "temporary" basis. They recently received word they will be remaining in that hangar, and will also obtain use of an administration building and part of another hangar adjoining the one they are in. They were originally in an old hangar built in 1937, but the FAA determined it was too close to the runway (sound familiar?) and it is now only used for storage. There is a weather-worn C-47 and the hulk of an F-100 parked on the ramp in front of the old hangar.
It's a very nice museum, and if you find yourself in CLT with some free time, check it out!
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by moose135
Bookmarks