Warplanes of the USA: Connecticut, Windsor Locks, New England Air Museum

‍Windsor Locks, New England Air Museum, Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096.  The New England Air Museum is situated at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut midway between Hartford, Connecticut and Springfield, Massachusetts.  Take I-91 North or South to Exit 40 (Rte 20).  Take the second right exit off Route 20 and turn right onto Route 75 North.  Continue for 2.8 miles.  Take left at Museum sign onto Perimeter Road for approximately 1.5 miles.  The Museum will be on the right.

The Museum is situated in three large display buildings consisting of more than 75,000 square feet of exhibit space. In fair weather, the outside storage yard is available for touring as well.  It is recommended that you allow at least 1 1/2 hours for your visit, though hard-core aviation and history enthusiasts will want to spend several hours viewing not only our aircraft and engine displays, but our many fascinating exhibits on such diverse topics as the Lafayette Escadrille, WWII Combat Gliders, the History of Sikorsky Aircraft, Early French Aviation, a History of Air Mail, the Tuskegee Airmen, Airships, and many others.  Exhibits include the following aircraft and equipment:

(Cliff Photo)

Aeronca 50 Chief (Serial No. C1018), Reg. No. NC21070.

Bell 47D Sioux Helicopter (Serial No.).

(Author Photo)

Bell AH-1G Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 70-15981).

(Author Photo)

Bell UH-1B Iroquois Helicopter (Serial No. 62-12550).

Benson B-8M Gyrocopter (Serial No. JC-1), Reg. No. N3112.

Balloon Basket, Blanchard.

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

Balloon Basket, Silas M. Brooks, ca 1870.

(Cliff Photo)

Blériot XI Monoplane (Serial No.), original.

(Author Photos)

Boeing-Stearman PT-17 Kaydet (Serial No.).

(Author Photos)

Boeing B-29A Superfortress (Serial No. 44-61975).

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

(Author Photo)

(Jeff Nelson Photo)

Bunce-Curtiss Pusher (Serial No. 1), 1912.

(Author Photos)

(Jeff Nelson Photo)

Burnelli CBY-3 Loadmaster (Serial No.), built by the Canadian Car and Foundry company in 1944.  Reg. No. N17N.  Currently undergoing restoration.

Chalais-Meudon Dirigible Nacelle (Serial No.).

Chanute Herring Glider (Serial No.).

Curtis XFC15-1 (Serial No. 01215).

(Author Photos)

de Havilland Canada DHC-2/U-6A Beaver (Serial No. 57-2570).

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

(Author Photo)

de Havilland Canada C-7A Caribou (Serial No. 62-4188).

Douglas A-26C Invader (Serial No. 43-22499), Reg. No. N86481.

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

(Author Photos)

(Cliff Photo)

Douglas A-3B Skywarrior (BuNo. 142246).

(Author Photos)

Douglas A4D-1 Skyhawk (BuNo. 142219).

Douglas DC-3 (Serial No. 6314), Reg. No. N165LG.

Douglas DC-3 (Serial No. 43-1973), built in 1942, Reg. No. NC44792.  Modified as a C-49J.

(Cliff Photo)

Fairchild-Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II (Serial No. 79-0173).

(Author Photo)

Fokker Dr.I Triplane replica (Serial No. 1).

(Author Photo)

Gee Bee Model A (Serial No.), Reg. No. N901K.

Gee Bee Model E (Serial No. 4), Reg. No. N856Y.

(Author Photos)

Gee Bee R-1 Super Sportster Racer, replica (Serial No. R-1), Reg. No. N2100.

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

(Author Photos)

Goodyear ZNP-K Airship car.

(Cliff Photo)

Great Lakes 2T-1A Sportster replica (Serial No. 6931K-420), Reg. No. N107C.

(Author Photo)

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat (Serial No. 79192).

Grumman E-1B Cockpit Simulator.

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

(Author Photo)

Grumman E-1B Tracer (Serial No. 147217).

(Author Photo)

Grumman HU-16E Albatross, USCG (Serial No. 51-7228), USCG 7228.

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

(Author Photos)

Grumman F-14B Tomcat (BuNo. 162926).

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH (Serial No. DS1258).

Heath Parasol (Serial No.).

(Author Photo)

Hiller OH-23G Raven Helicopter (Serial No. 62-23812).

Hughes OH-6A Cayuse Helicopter (Serial No. 67-16127).

Kaman XHTK-1, USN (BuNo. 125477), one of two K-225s bought for evaluation by the US Navy.   (USN Photo)

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

Kaman Model K-225, Reg. No. N401A, world's first turbine-powered helicopter.

(Author Photo)

Kaman HH-43A Huskie (Serial No. 60-0289).

(Jeff Nelson Photo)

Kaman SH-2 Seasprite (BuNo. 1905).

(Author Photo)

Kaman K-16B V-STOL (Serial No.).

Kaman K-225 (Serial No.), Reg. No. N401A, the oldest surviving Kaman-built aircraft.

(Cliff Photo)

Laird LC-RW300 Solution racer (Serial No. 192), Reg. No. N10538.

Ling-Tempco-Vought A-7D Corsair II (Serial No. 69-6201).

Link ANT-18 Flight Trainer w/Console.

(Author Photos)

Lockheed L-10A Electra (Serial No. 1052), Reg. No. NC14262.

(Author Photos)

Lockheed TV-2 Shooting Star (Serial No. 138048), USN.

(Khanklatt Photo)

(Author Photos)

Lockheed F-94C Starfire (Serial No. 51-3575).  This aircraft was moved to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon as of 2010.

(Jeff Nelson Photo)

Lockheed F-104A Starfighter (Serial No. 56-0901).

(Ironass Photo)

Marcoux-Bromberg R-3 Special (Serial No. A-1), Reg. No. N14215.

(Cliff Photo)

Martin RB-57A Canberra (Serial No. 52-1488).

McDonnell-Douglas F-4D Phantom II (Serial No. 66-0269).

McDonnell F-15C Eagle (Serial No. 85-0101), 104th Fighter Wing. Captain Rick Tollini shot down an Iraqi Air Force MiG-25 Foxbat with this aircraft on 19 Jan 1991.

Mead Rhone Ranger replica (Serial No. 1).

(Author Photo)

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 Fagot (Serial No. 83277).

Monett Monerai S sailplane (Serial No. 22), Reg. No. N32WS.

Mosquito 166 Hang Glider (Serial No.).

Nicks Special LR-1A (Serial No. 11), Reg. No. L11ZZ.

Nixon Special (1918 homebuilt).

(Johannes Gilger Photo)

North American AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile (Serial No.).

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

(Author Photos)

(Johannes Gilger Photo)

North American B-25H Mitchell (Serial No. 43-04999).

(Jeff Nelson Photo)

North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang (Serial No. 44-72400).  Built 26 Jan 1945 and assigned to the 340th Base Utility Squadron.  After the end of the Second World War it was sold on 1 July 1946 to Woody W. Edmondson of Lynchburg, Virginia.  Reg. No. NC69406, "City of Lynchburg VA", Race No. 2, took part in air racing.  It was re-registered in December, 1946 as N13Y, and later sold to DiPonti Aviation in Minneapolis, Minnisota, who then sold it to Anson Johnson, a pilot for National Airlines, who intended to race it.  Johnson began racing this aircraft in 1947 in the Kendall Trophy Race as Racer No. 45, but did not finish.  He modified the P-51D by upgrading the engine, adding a new propeller, removing excess weight and shortening the wings.  Johnson entered the 1948 Cleveland Air Races Thompson Trophy against a strong field and by using a strategy of endurance rather that outright speed became the surprise winner.  For 1949, Johnson with the help of another engineer, modified the P-51D even further which resulted in one the the sleekest and cleanest Mustangs ever produced.  He raced in that year's Thompson Trophy against a very tough field but withdrew with smoke coming into the cockpit.  With its racing career over, Johnson turned to the world speed record.  Unfortunately during his run, the timing equipment failed and we will never know just how fast N13Y flew.  In 1959, Johnson sold the plane.  It passed through several owners finally being purchased by the New England Air Museum in 1972.  Now with its restoration complete, it takes its place along with other racers in the Museum's collection.

(Author Photos)

North American F-86F Sabre (Serial No. 113371).

(USAF Photo)

North American F-100A-1-NA Super Sabre (Serial No. 52-5761), currently on display at the New England Air Museum

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

(Author Photo)

(Cliff Photo)

North American F-100A-1-NA Super Sabre (Serial No. 52-5761).

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

MD-22 F-100C Flight Simulator.

(Jon Skaarup Photo)

Cole Skaarup in the F-100C Flight Simulator!

(Author Photo)

Northrop F-89J Scorpion (Serial No. 52-1896).

Pioneer International Aircraft Flightstar MC (Serial No. MC 658), Reg. No. N54209.

(Author Photo)

Piper J3L-65 Cub (Serial No. 5374), Reg. No. N31091.

(Cliff Photo)

Pratt-Read PR-G1 Glider (Serial No. 31561), Reg. No. N5346G.

(Cliff Photo)

Rearwin 8135 Cloudster (Serial No. 825), Reg. No. N25549.

(Author Photo)

(Jeff Nelson Photo)

Republic F-105B Thunderchief (Serial No. 57-5778).

(Cliff Photos)

Republic JB-2 Loon cruise missile.

(Author Photos)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 45-49458), "Norma".

(Jon Skaarup Photo)

Ashley Skaarup in the P-47.

(Cliff Photo)

Republic RC-3 Seabee (Serial No.).

(Cliff Photo)

Rutan Quickie (Serial No. 175), Reg. No. N175HM.

(Cliff Photo)

Rutan Vari Eze (Serial No. 0003), Reg. No. N477CM.

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photos)

Ryan PT-22 Recruit (Serial No.), I-342.

(Author Photos)

Sikorsky S-16 biplane fighter replica (Serial No. 1).

(Kevin King Photo)

(Author Photo)

Sikorsky S-39B (Serial No.), Reg. No. NC803W, the oldest surviving Sikorsky aircraft.

(Author Photos)

Sikorsky VS-44-A Flying Boat (Serial No. 4402), Reg. No. N41881.

(Author Photos)

Sikorsky R-4B Hoverfly Helicopter (Serial No. 43-46503).

(Author Photo)

Sikorsky R-6A Doman conversion YH-31 Helicopter (Serial No.), Reg. No. N74146.Silas Brooks Balloon Basket, the oldest surviving aircraft in the USA.

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

(Author Photo)

(Cliff Photo)

Sikorsky LH-34D Seabat Helicopter (BuNo. 145717).

(Author Photo)

Sikorsky S-51 Executive Transport Helicopter (Serial No. N-5519), Reg. No. N5219.

(Sphilbrick Photo)

Sikorsky S-59 Executive Transport Helicopter (Serial No.), Reg. No. N74150).

(Author Photo)

Sikorsky HH-52A Sea Guard Helicopter, USCG (Serial No. 1428).

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

(Cliff Photo)

(Author Photos)

Sikorsky CH-54B Tarhe Helicopter (Serial No. 69-18465).  This helicopter served with the Connecticut Army National Guard.

Stinson 10A (Serial No. 8045), Reg. No. N34645.

(RuthAS Photo)

Viking Kittyhawk B-8 (Serial No. 30), Reg. No. N13250.

(Author Photos)

(Cliff Photos)

Vought XF4U-4 Corsair (BuNo. 80759).

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

(Author Photo)

Waco YKC-S (Serial No. 4236), Reg. No. N14614.

Aircraft previously displayed at the New England Air Museum included the following:

Boeing WB-47E Stratojet.  Moved to the Hill AF Museum in Utah.

Convair F-102 Delta Darts.  There were two and both have been scrapped.

Douglas C-133B-DL Cargomaster (Serial No. 59-0529) of the 1501st Air Transport Wing over San Francisco Bay in 1960.  This aircraft was on display at the New England Air Museum, but was destroyed by a tornado on 3 Oct 1979.  (USAF Photo)

Fairey Gannet AEW3.  Moved to the Pima Aerospace Museum in Tucson, Arizona.

Lockheed P2V Neptune.  Moved to the Quonset Air Museum in Rhode Island.

(Dmitry Avdeev Photo)

SUD Aviation SE-210 Caravelle VIR (Serial No. 88), Reg. No. N902MW.  This Caravelle was initially purchased by United Airlines and later went to Sterling Airlines of Denmark.  It was then sold to Airborne Express who donated it to the museum in 1982.  This aircraft has apparently been scrapped.

Vought F8-K Crusader.  Transferred to the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier and Museum in San Diego, California.  (Information courtesy of Ron Lindlauf, NEAM).

Engines:

Allison V-1710-81 12-cylinder (1940’s); Anzani B Radial (1914); Armstrong Siddeley Genet (1926); BMW 801C (1940’s); Boeing 502 Gas Turbine cutaway (1940’s); Bradley V-8 Air-cooled (1911); Chrysler VIX-2220-1 V-16 (1942); Continental A-65 4-cyl opposed (1939); Curtiss OX-5 (V-8) Engine (1917); Curtiss-Wright RC2-60 Rotary (1988); Detroit Aero 2-cyl Opposed (1910); Elbridge 4-cyl in-line (1910); General Electric J47-GE-13 (1948); General Electric TF-34-GE-100 Turbofan (1970’s); General Electric YT-58-GE-2A (1958); Gnome B-2 Monosoupape (1916); Gnome Omega (1914); Hall Scott A-2 (1910 - V-8 water cooled); Harriman 4-cyl in-line (1910); Heath Henderson B-4 in-line (1928 - with Propeller); Hispano Suiza V-8 (1910’s); Isotta Fraschini Asso 750 (1927); Junkers Jumo 004B Turbojet (1942); Lycoming T-53-L11B (1957); Nakajima NK-9H Homare (1940’s); Packard A-1551-1 Airship Engine (1923); Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major (1944); Pratt & Whitney J42 (1950); Pratt & Whitney J58 (JT11D-20) Turbojet (1960’s); Pratt & Whitney PT-6 Turboprop (1960’s); Pratt & Whitney R-1535-96 Twin Wasp Jr. (1936); Pratt & Whitney R-1830-86 Twin Wasp Jr. (1942); Pratt & Whitney R-2800-39 (1940’s); Pratt & Whitney RL-10 liquid rocket (1961); Pratt & Whitney T-34 Turboprop (1950’s); Pratt & Whitney Wasp A (1926); Pratt & Whitney Wasp C (1929); Rolls Royce Nene II (1947); Rolls Royce V-1650-1 Merlin V-16 (1940’s); Smith 2-cyl opposed (1910); Wright R-1820-45 Cyclone (1936)

Exhibits:

1979 Tornado; 57th Fighter Group (1940’s); Airborne Optical Devices; Andrew V.D. Willgoos - Aero Industry; British Airship R-100 Model (1930’s); Cdr. Victor Motarella - Skyhawk Pilot; Come Fly With Me (airliner seats); Cooley Aircraft Wind Tunnel Model (1931); Douglas DC-3 Story; Early Aircraft Engines 1908-1911; Early French Aviation;  Early Helicopters; Evolution of the Airliner; Evolution of US Aircraft National Insignia; Fokker Aircraft - Model Exhibit; History of Air Mails; Joseph Sawicki, Conn. W.W.II Aviator; Kaman Aerospace Display; Lifestar Air Ambulance Display; Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird photos; Man’s First Flight/Montgolfier Brothers; Masters of Flight; Matthew Batson and Dream of Transatlantic Flight; Milestones of Flight; NAI - Tuskegee Airmen; Percival Spencer - Conn. Aviation Pioneer; Robert Powers - W.W.II Aviator; Sikorsky - Recollections of a Pioneer; The Flying Mollisons; Thompson Trophy Winners model exhibit; United States Air Force Insignia; World War I Memorabilia; World’s First Scheduled Airline; Wright Brothers Story

Artifacts:

20mm Mark 12 Mod O Gun (1970’s); 750-lb. General Purpose Bomb (1953); 75-mm Cannon (B-25) & misc. bombs (1940’s); Airways Beacon & Tower (1930); Assorted Beacons and Landing Lights; Champion Chemical Fire Engine (1800’s); Charavay Propeller (1910); Crocker-Wheeler Training Turret (1940’s); Gallaudet Seaplane Model (1910); General Electric GAU-8 30-mm Gatling Gun (1970’s); Grumman 150 SE-2 Turret (1943); Hamilton Prop for Racing P-51 (1940’s); Hamilton Standard 23E50 Propeller (1940’s); Hindenburg Water Tank & Tools (1937); Kaman Fire Suppression Unit (1960’s); M-39 20mm Aircraft Cannon (1950’s); Mk. 141 16” Battleship Shells (1940’s); Norden Bombsight; Turbo Supercharger; USAF Ejection Seat (1960’s); W.W.II Battle-Damaged Propellers from RAF A-20 (1940’s); W.W.II Navy Practice Bombs (1940’s); World War II Aerial Torpedo Cart; and, World War II Bomb Cart (1940’s)

Vehicles:

Cord 810 Phaeton (1936); Crosley Gas Porter (1940’s); Ford Model T (1918);

Indian ‘4’ Motorcycle (1936); Indian Motorcycle with sidecar (1928 - airmail);

Midget Race Car (1940); Military Jeep (1942 - three examples); Second World War era Aircraft Tug (1940’s)

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