The History of the North Carolina Aviation Museum
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.
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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.
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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."
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2001 - State of North Carolina officials designated the museum as the future site of the N.C. Aviation Hall of Fame.
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1999 - Hangar 2 was built to house the B-25.
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1998 - The museum acquired a B-25 "Mitchell" bomber for restoration.
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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.
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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.
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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.
2222-G Pilots View Road
Asheboro, NC 27204
Phone: (336) 625-0170
Fax: (336) 625-2984
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