“Angels,” they called them. These volunteers dedicate their time to restoring historic aircraft. Right here, at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Project – Hangar B, history takes flight again.
The Historic Aircraft Restoration Project is an aviation museum. It is located in Hangar B at Floyd Bennett Field in New York City. Arnie Migliaccio established it in 1998. He suggested a group of volunteers work to restore aircraft. They would be part of the National Park Service’s Volunteers-In-Parks program.
The project began in Hangar B on the east side of the airport. The volunteers became known as “angels.” Some of the project’s aircraft were previously on display. They were at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
Many volunteers have decades of experience. They worked on planes in the military or the civilian sector. Volunteers range from high school students to those in their 70s and 80s. Their goal is to return these aircraft to nearly original condition. The HARP volunteers even built a full-scale model. It is of Wiley Post’s Lockheed Vega, called “The Winnie Mae”.
These aircraft highlight the diverse history of aviation. It spans from its time as a municipal airport in the 1930s to its military use. The collection includes aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air National Guard. It also features the New York City Police Department. There are both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
HARP’s goal is to locate and restore historic aircraft. Most have some connection to Floyd Bennett Field as a former Naval Air Station. One popular aircraft is their PBY Catalina. The United States Marine Corps donated it. This was in return for restoring and displaying the historic amphibian. Volunteers worked hard cleaning it. They treated corrosion on the airframe. They replaced panels too far gone for treatment.
A C-47 Skytrain in New York Air National Guard livery was also being worked on. It was getting new ailerons and tail control surfaces. If a volunteer is connected to that aircraft and free, they’ll take you on board. You can get a good look inside and into the cockpit.
The Grumman Goose looks fantastic in its New York Police livery. It is actually airworthy and flown at air shows. Another Grumman amphibian, an Albatross in US Coast Guard colors, was also undergoing extensive corrosion treatment on the hull. This was in preparation for paint and restoration. A Fairchild PT-26 trainer looked terrific with fresh covering and paint. The Beech C-45 Expeditor was getting a fresh paint job in Marine Corps colors. The A-4 Skyhawk was done up in Marine Corps markings and looked brand new. The Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican Helicopter has been restored to a very high standard on the outside. You could walk right in via the aft loading ramp.
One of the volunteer’s personal favorites was the Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune Patrol Bomber. To get inside, there are no stairs, only ladders. It is very tight inside. Missions must have been incredibly loud and tiring. The Neptune could stay in the air 22 hours without refueling. The paint looks fresh. The US Navy markings were applied with a good deal of care.
In the museum’s workshop, the crew were fabricating the fuselage. It was for a copy of Wiley Post’s Lockheed 5B Vega, the Winnie Mae. There was also a copy of a Lockheed Vega in the hangar that had been heavily damaged. The Lockheed Vega replica was built in Mexico for 60000 dollars. It was mounted on a pylon close to the road as and advertisement for Floyd Bennett Field and the park. It had been knocked off in a wind storm suffered a great deal of damage to the wings and fuselage.
HARP also had a Dodge WC-27 WWII Ambulance, and a Kaiser Jeep M724 Welder. The volunteer crew at Floyd Bennett Field restored both vehicles.
So, step inside Hangar B. Witness the dedication. Experience the history. The Historic Aircraft Restoration Project keeps these magnificent flying machines alive for generations to come.