What will the final product include?

Having been involved with the aviation and naval museum community for 26 years, our leadership team is well aware of the keys to success.

• We need to be much more than just an aviation and naval museum. We must broaden our base of appeal by offering activities and opportunities that are of interest to the general public and are available year round.

• We must become a true family attraction and community resource, providing educational and recreational benefits as well as historical preservation.

• We must feature enough revenue-generating activities to make our operation financially self-sufficient.

The major challenge will be to generate long-lasting interest in this project, and to appeal to as broad a segment of the population as possible. Toward that end we have taken a number of steps to expand our appeal – and earned revenue.

One major element will be to develop the project as an attractive and novel events venue with full catering facilities.

Another essential element to success is the development of ongoing, innovative and sustainable educational and job training programs. Fortunately, we were able to rescue tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of machine tools, shop equipment and other material from three aircraft carriers about to be scrapped. That equipment would furnish and equip a significant workforce development facility as part of the new complex.

The local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter needs a new home as well. EAA’s involvement will enable us to add more educational elements to our plan, as well as solidify a a mutually beneficial working relationship with a powerful and well-funded national organization.

We will attract baseball fans by becoming the New England satellite of the Florida-based Ted Williams Museum, featuring the pride of our collection, the F9F Panther jet known as the “Ted Williams Airplane”. That plane is the same type flown by Williams in combat during the Korean War and is one of only nine of that type left. The almost-complete restoration has been supported by the Red Sox Foundation, and the fuselage, mounted on a flatbed trailer, has already starred in many public events including the Bristol 4th of July Parade.

Another priceless artifact is our beautifully restored 1938 Ford sedan, driven by Navy Chief John Finn to his battle station on December 7, 1941. Finn earned the Medal of Honor that day, and this car is the only private vehicle ever driven into combat by a Medal of Honor recipient. John Finn was the highlight of the 2006 Bristol Parade, where he was reunited with his car for one final ride. His participation earned nationwide news coverage. Finn died in 2010 at the age of 100.

Other historically significant assets include Paramount Pictures’ 39-foot-long model of the USS Nevada battleship of Pearl Harbor fame, used in “Winds of War” and other motion pictures.

We have four other military aircraft, including a rare AV8 Harrier “Jump Jet” on loan from the Marine Corps. These planes are now dismantled and are located in various temporary storage locations.

Supporters with an impressive array of military vehicles and classic cars have agreed to display a portion of their collections at our facility. We also may be able to incorporate some recreational and/or sports-related activities within our acreage.

Last but certainly not least, this will become the permanent home for the public display of the stories, memorabilia and artifacts collected by the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame (RIAHOF).