The Hickory Aviation Museum Restoration Team completed cosmetic restoration with new stencils on our AH-1W Super Cobra. The team was joined by four former Marines from HMLA-269 who did the stenciling. This attack helicopter will join our other completed projects in preservation storage prior to them being moved into the new hangar currently under construction.
The Super Cobra will be hung in the glass atrium and greet all of our visitors to the new museum, which is slated to open Summer 2025. It is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola FL, and joined the museum in January 2020 after being retired. The USMC has transitioned to the AH-1Z Super Cobra with all new enhancements.
We still have over two dozen aircraft slated for restoration and we welcome anyone who likes to “get their hands dirty” to join the restoration group when they meet. HAM is completely staffed by volunteers, and the work schedule is dictated by everyone’s “paying job” schedule. We are currently in the middle of the SNJ Texan trainer and that will be followed by the T-2C Buckeye jet trainer.
As a Not for Profit 501(c)(3) organization, we welcome any monetary donations to help us complete the big task we have in front of us. Many of our aircraft have been outside in the elements for several decades and all need a lot of work, and we fund our supplies through the generosity of individuals and businesses, and of course we have no labor expenses. There are multiple “Donate” buttons on the website and 100% of the money raised goes back into the museum. Thanks in advance for any support!
