Published July 2005

Allen's historic aircraft
new to this year's fly-in

SCBJ Staff

A highlight of this year's 37th Annual Northwest Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In at Arlington Airport will be a display of some of the meticulously restored World War I and World War II aircraft in billionaire Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection.

More than 50,000 visitors are expected at the July 6-10 aviation show, which will feature aircraft displays, aviation vendors, discussion forums, food, an aircraft parade and three-hour air shows that attract people from throughout the Pacific Northwest and parts of the United States and Canada. It's the nation's third-largest EAA and general aviation gathering, with hundreds of pilots flying into the airfield for the week's events.

Dozens of former military "war birds" will be displayed on the ground as well as in the air. Rows of unusual aircraft, home-built planes and World War II military vehicles will add even more interest to the air show.

Allen's collection, housed in a hangar on the west side of the airport, has never been displayed publicly outside of his museum, which opened in 2004. Until now, only small groups that registered in advance for limited viewing hours have been able to see Allen's once-secret array of priceless historic aircraft that include a P-40, P-51 and a British Spitfire.

During July 7-9 at the fly-in, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., shuttle buses will take visitors at the air show to the hangars where the planes are housed for free tours of the exhibit. There also will be a museum exhibit at the air show grounds.

"We are pleased to welcome the Flying Heritage Collection to this year's Arlington EAA Fly-In," said Barbara Tolbert, Northwest EAA executive director. "These rare and beautifully restored airplanes will be a popular draw not only because of their significance to aviation history, but also because of the remarkable quality of the restorations that have taken place."

The painstaking process of restoring the Flying Heritage Collection's aircraft sets them apart from all other aviation artifacts, Allen has said. Each aircraft has been restored to a level of authenticity close to the planes' condition when they were first built.

Allen's team has exhaustively researched the history of each aircraft, many of which have been involved in military missions, and sought out original vendors to reconstruct materials and components that have become obsolete. From cotton-coated wiring and lacquer and enamel paint to vintage cockpit furnishings and original radios that still operate, Allen's planes are as authentically restored as possible.

Also new at this year's show will be the presence and sponsorship of Silver State Helicopters of Nevada, which recently opened a new pilot training facility at Arlington Airport with Robinson R-22 helicopters. The company will be providing helicopter tours of the airfield during the fly-in event at $30 per person.

Another sponsor of the show, Galvin Flying Service of Seattle, is celebrating its 75th year of aviation business. Also, the International Aerobatics Club will present information forums about stunt flying and how pilots and aerobatics enthusiasts can become involved.

At least two manufacturers of the new "sport planes" authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration last year will be displaying examples of their products designed to offer that new option in flying.

Details of the event can be found at www.nweaa.org.

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