Open house features new museum attractions

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Veronica Aceveda
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  At the Dover Air Force Base Open House and Air Show today, the Air Mobility Command Museum is showcasing two of its newest aircraft and displaying another in a new manner for the first time.

U-3 "Blue-Canoe"

A U-3 aircraft, with a fresh coat of paint, is making its debut this weekend at the base open house. The Cessna aircraft came from the Dover AFB Aero Club, and its new coat was applied by a local auto body shop.

"If anyone remembers the 1950s TV show 'Sky King,' there was one of these aircraft featured on it," said Mike Leister, AMC museum director. "It's a piece of 1950s nostalgia you don't want to miss."

He added the U-3 is the first example of the U.S. military buying an aircraft off the shelf instead of having one specifically developed.

A-26 "Invader"

On display for the first time at the open house, the A-26 Invader was a primary aircraft assigned to Dover AFB in the 1940s. It's known for its participation in secret rocket testing. The A-26 airframe was once housed in hangar 1301, the current home of the AMC Museum.

"It's one of the hottest twin-engine airplanes of World War II," said Mr. Leister. "And, it's another great example of our volunteers taking an old airplane and turning it into a showpiece."

C-123K "Provider"

While the museum has had this aircraft in its inventory for a while, this weekend's open house is the beginning of the museum's newest attraction.

The engine of this Vietnam War-era cargo plane is being displayed in a split manner, so people can see how big the engine is and how the mechanics worked on it.

"This is the first time people can see it like this," said Mr. Leister. "It looks like a piece of modern art, and the crowd loves it."

Art isn't the only reason the engine is being displayed in this manner.

"At its time, this was the largest, most complex engine in the Air Force," said Les Potter, C-123K restoration crew. "This plane originally started as a glider and was later fitted with this engine."

After the base open house, these flying legacies can be seen at the AMC Museum, open Tuesdays through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"Visiting our museum is a great family educational experience and it's free," said Mr. Leister. "And, in today's economy, that's important."