WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The restoration team at the New England Air Museum is now more than 50 members strong and among their latest preservation projects is a Connecticut-made Kaman plane from the late 1950s called a "K–16B Tilt Wing."
If you’ve never heard of the aircraft, that makes sense – The K-16B, which now stands outside the restoration hangar at the museum, was the only one ever made.
“This is Connecticut history,” said Bob Vozzola, the NEAM's restoration coordinator.
Vozzola added that the K-16B Tilt Wing is “a unique prototype from the late '50s which eventually led to an aircraft -- the 'Osprey' that flies today.”
“We are taking historic aircraft and just sprucing them up for display and making sure we can preserve history for as long as possible,” said Josh Taylor, the collections manager at the Air Museum.
It has been a two-year process for the team at the New England Air Museum to get the Kaman K-16B back in display shape. Currently, the plane is undergoing its final touches – a new paint job -- before it gets showcased as part of the outside aircraft exhibits at the museum.
“This would have been left in a field to rot if we didn’t have it here,” Vozzola said, and then added, “We really enjoy interpreting the history for people to see, otherwise it would be lost forever.”
MORE NEWS
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.