Texas Air & Space Museum Gives Update

What's going on at the Texas Air and Space Museum, located at the Rick Husband Amarillo Intentional Airport?

The earliest the museum will be open is May 1, in keeping with the city of Amarillo orders, and the meeting scheduled for April 21 has been canceled. Patrons can monitor the museum's website, Facebook page or call by phone for updates.

A recent update from the museum says it has not been open to the public so it can take care of its at risk volunteers and follow COVID 19 guidelines. But the museum hasn't been idle, either.

"TAC Air generously contributed the window/entry from their flight planning room covered with squadron insignias for our museum ... Joey, Viper and I were able to secure it and build a frame," Ron Fernuik says via email. The rest of the update follows:

"The Fleet came home, to Pampa (pictured at a stop in Childress, trip on the museum Facebook page). A 1941 Fleet Model 16B WW II training bi-plane purchase was made possible through a $35,000 contribution to the museum, we owe $5,000 and will need to do some inspections and work on it but if you are inclined to donate $10, $50, $100 or more toward what we owe please do. Just a note we are almost $8,000,000 in assets and otherwise debt free. We have some of our day to day expenses but we are ok now.

"A 50% scale RC Waco airframe has been donated from San Antonio to the museum, when conditions permit we will bring it back. We have talked to other contributors for some other planes and artifacts. Our T33 in Lampasas is safe and sound. ... Talked to Dennis at Marana Arizona and the Starship has had a little more disassembly, packing its bags when it can come home.

"Visited with our South Pacific Solomon Islands contact, could be moving forward to projects the museum could be a part of within the year.

"We did have a meeting with a potential donor and a call for some projects concurrent with our new property at the grain buildings just before our close for the virus. Do you know someone that might contribute to getting on our property into the new buildings? ... (those who can't contribute financially can contribute time wise as a volunteer).

"I am not sure I say it often enough but thank you each of you for the countless volunteer hours, help, contributions, ideas, kind words and prayers that keep us going. ... lots to do, some work at home projects (write grants, catalog donations), different needs here at the museum."

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