Floyd Bennet Field - H.A.R.P. - Image Heavy

[Max]

I was passing Floyd Bennet Field and I saw an NYPD helicopter unit training. After taking a few photos I found Brooklyn's best kept aviation secret.
H.A.R.P. - Historical Aviation Restoration Project. There are approximately a dozen vintage aircraft in various stages of repair stuffed into Hanger B at Floyd Bennet Field.
The building is old and leaking but the collection is amazing. The were a lot of volunteers on hand. (The exhibit is open Tues, Thus and Sat 10-3:30)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7494/15693616077_b4f76f9336_b.jpg

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The outside of Hanger B.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7541/15692079550_d649d53c76_b.jpg

Lockheed SP2 Neptune - note both the propeller and jet engine
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Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
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Sikorsky HH3-F Pelican
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Beechcraft Model 18 - JRB Trainer
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Grumman JRF-5 Goose
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Lockheed Vega
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8617/15853575626_37b6a9b520_b.jpg

Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter
This was by far the highlight for me - They say they hope to have this fly out in a few months. I would really love to be there and see that takeoff
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List of Aircraft
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7475/15693620487_74b1afdd27_b.jpg

[moose135]

Nice photos, Max. I've been there many times, they have an interesting collection of aircraft, but that building is in serious need of work. The C-97 actually isn't part of their collection, it belongs to the same organization that owns the Berlin Airlift C-54, and as you mentioned, they are working to get it back in the air some time next year. In the past, they kept the C-54 in the hangar for winter maintenance, and we've caught it arriving and departing from FBF. I look forward to seeing the C-97 back in the air again.

[Zee71]

It's an awesome place. I haven't been there in awhile, need to make another trip there. Nice shots!

[puckstopper55]

the floor looks just as wet as outside. Is the roof in that bad of shape?

[yankees368]

the floor looks just as wet as outside. Is the roof in that bad of shape?

The building was heavily damaged by Sandy and really hasn't been repaired.

[Max]

Nice photos, Max. I've been there many times, they have an interesting collection of aircraft, but that building is in serious need of work. The C-97 actually isn't part of their collection, it belongs to the same organization that owns the Berlin Airlift C-54, and as you mentioned, they are working to get it back in the air some time next year. In the past, they kept the C-54 in the hangar for winter maintenance, and we've caught it arriving and departing from FBF. I look forward to seeing the C-97 back in the air again.

Thanks.

The C-54 was not there yet for the winter, if they are still planning on coming again this year. Maybe there is a chance to get both the C-54 and C-97 flying this year at FBF

[Max]

The building was heavily damaged by Sandy and really hasn't been repaired.

There are still pieces of roofing that was blown off by Sandy laying on the ground outside the building.
According to one of the volunteers they will be fixing up the building in the near future (not sure when)
The floor was wet, but it had not rained yesterday so I am not sure when the water was from.

[moose135]

The C-54 hasn't been there the past year or two, and I don't think they are bringing it back this winter. Part of the reason they are working so hard on the C-97 is that the Park Service wants them out so they can make repairs on the building. They were told they needed to be out this past Spring, then by Summer, then November, now the latest deadline is February...

[yankees368]

The C-54 hasn't been there the past year or two, and I don't think they are bringing it back this winter. Part of the reason they are working so hard on the C-97 is that the Park Service wants them out so they can make repairs on the building. They were told they needed to be out this past Spring, then by Summer, then November, now the latest deadline is February...

Is there any way to track the progress of that? I want to be there for that takeoff, if it ever happens.

[moose135]

I know the head of the group, and I'll pass along any updates I get from him. I want to be here for it too!

[yankees368]

I mean, just look at this thing!

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14130698659_663c961042_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nwFwpv)DSC_2694 (https://flic.kr/p/nwFwpv) by AirlineFlyer (https://www.flickr.com/people/97895266@N05/), on Flickr

[Max]

[QUOTE=yankees368;504946]I mean, just look at this thing!

That's a great set you have on Flicker, nice to see they let you into the SP2.

[yankees368]

That's a great set you have on Flicker, nice to see they let you into the SP2.

Yea, it was a really cool tour!

Full set is here https://www.flickr.com/photos/airlineflyer/sets/72157644904022526

[727C47]

I had my 7th birthday party there in 1967, my dad was in the Marine reserves, P2V Neptunes, A-4s, and a visiting F102 from California , I loved FBF !!!

[cancidas]

I had my 7th birthday party there in 1967, my dad was in the Marine reserves, P2V Neptunes, A-4s, and a visiting F102 from California , I loved FBF !!!

now that must've been cool! makes me jealous!!


if only i still lived in NYC i'd probable get in trouble at home for spending so much time there.

[Gerard]

Is this the same group that used to work out of the "Big Blue Hangar" that was located along Flatbush Avenue but for some reason was demolished. When I lived in Forest Hills I used to take my kids there just about every other weekend in the 90s!! FBF was rocking back then with NYPD in their old hangar and Air Station Brooklyn on the other side on Jamaica Bay!! You could park right up to the flight line for PD Aviation and over at the Air Station we used to park by the Base Exchange store and the helos (sometimes fixed wing) would taxi right past us!! Would snap pics and videos and was never, ever hassled!! Ah those were the days!!
I was there a few months ago on a Sat and just missed going to HARP as they had just closed!!

[Max]

Passed by FBF today and saw that they moved the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter out of the hanger. Does that mean that they hope to fly it out soon?

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8807/17204433941_c5d37c2050_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sdidPp)

[moose135]

They plan to, not sure of the schedule yet.

[Zee71]

http://mbsphotography.smugmug.com/Aviation/Airplanes-and-Spotting/Floyd-Bennett-Field-FBF/i-c9ZH6m9/0/L/C97 Stratofreighter_05_FBF_10Apr2015_Ramp_N117GA_24-120mmD4s-L.jpg