The History of the North Carolina Aviation Museum
2009 - Several additions to the museum highlight the year:
- thankfully, the short stay scheduled for the impressive near-mint F4U-4 "Corsair," lovingly nicknamed by some of our "regulars" as "Big Blue," was extended until March 6. What a blessing for our museum as attendance figures set all-time records every month "Big Blue" was in residence. The entire NCAM Family expresses their deep appreciation to Doug Williams and Classic Fighters of America for allowing us to care for their "multi-million dollar baby."
A pair of fantastic part-time employees was added to join NCAM staffer Bobbi Bridge. They are Navy retiree Frank "Spock" Brown and Randolph Community College student Matthew Gregg. Couldn't do it without quality folks like you gang!!!
- master modeler and area resident Mark Glazer loaned the NCAM his classic 1/5-scale "1903 Wright Flyer." Great job, Mark!!
- a sharp 1948 Temco Swift was here for a few weeks courtesy of Jeff Smith. Thanks Jeff, it sure was a winner!
- several new volunteer board members are elected.
- numerous permanent exhibits are added during the summer and fall - "The Boneyard," "The First Warbirds," "Women in Aviation," "A Modeler's Heaven," "The Tuskegee Airmen" and several other temporary displays as well.
- Two "driveway-sized" models of a P-47D "Thunderbolt" and BF-109 Messerschmidt arrived on loan from Thomasville resident Mike Starnes. Thanks Mike, they look FANTASTIC!
-2008 - Several additions to the museum highlight the year:
- a nearly one-of-a-kind 1930 S-56B Savoia Marchetti (there are only two left in the world of the original 30-40 built). In 1931-32, Smith Reynolds, the youngest son of R. J. Reynolds flew an S-56 (solo and in an open cockpit) 6,000 miles from London to Hong Kong.
- an exciting Christmas present as a beautifully restored and maintained F4U-4 Corsair flew in for several days. The plane has been dubbed the "million dollar baby."
-- a new board of directors is elected.
-- a new manager/curator is hired.
-- a new aircraft is donated to the museum. (Steve Glasgow generously decided that the North Carolina Aviation Museum was to be the permanent home for "Cappy's Toy," his beautifully constructed and maintained RV-8.)
-- new video viewing and research areas are opened.
-- a new display, "The Curator's Corner" opened Nov. 18, featuring many fresh-out-of-the-box donations on initial display. No restoration has been performed on these items which are the next in line to find permanent homes at the museum.
-- several restoration/reorganization/assistance projects are begun by numerous new museum volunteers: Steve Younts (restoration of USAF Insignia, 50 hours); Devon Goy (reorganization of Hangar 1 and 2 for future displays, i.e. "The Curator's Corner," and "The Caravan, 40 hours;" Sal Gutierrez and Terry Lawrence, computer assistance, 10 hours and $100; Katrina Breitenbach, website/web hosting research, 10 hours; Jared Reeder, database assistance, 5 hours; Stephanie Choi, tax-exempt status research/refunds; Luke Lathan, special event setup and hangar reorganization; Bill Thompson, museum/inventory photography; Alan Welch, computer donations; Tom Edmonds, promotional assistance; Don Johnson (Caraway Fire Equipment, Fire Extinguisher/Exit Sign maintenance, and James Hough, a Citadel Cadet, volunteering 55 hours toward display setup and reorganization in Hangar 2.
______________________________________________________________________________
2006 - Museum officials expand the NCAM's mission to include not only military aircraft, but historical, vintage and civilian planes and the aerospace world as well. The B-25 that had been on temporary, long-term loan to the NCAM rotated out of the museum’s inventory.
____________________________________________________________
2004 - The restoration of the B-25 is completed. It's first flight since arriving at the museum was held on Saturday, Oct. 30 at the NCAM's "Annual Member Appreciation Dinner."
_____________________________________________________________________________
2001 - State of North Carolina officials designated the museum as the future site of the N.C. Aviation Hall of Fame.
_____________________________________________________________________________
1999 - Hangar 2 was built to house the B-25.
_____________________________________________________________________________
1998 - The museum acquired a B-25 "Mitchell" bomber for restoration.
_____________________________________________________________________________
1997/1998 - However, FAC members refused to let Jim’s dream die!! They continued to restore vintage war aircraft for the enjoyment and education of the public. The museum was renamed "Peddycord Foundation for Aircraft Conservation" in his honor.
_____________________________________________________________________________
1997- On June 4, 1997, just a year after the first air show, tragedy struck as Jim Peddycord and his son Rick, both died in a mid-air collision practicing for the second annual air show.
______________________________________________________________________________
1994 - Spurred by an interest in flying and the collection of old military aircraft, the North Carolina Aviation Museum began as a dream of local Asheboro businessman Jim Peddycord. He created the "Foundation for Aircraft Conservation" in 1996 and held the first annual air show at the adjoining Asheboro Municipal Airport that same year.
North Carolina Aviation Museum
2222-G Pilots View Road
Asheboro, NC 27205
Phone: (336) 625-0170
Fax: (336) 625-2984
