Preserving this aircraft & it’s history

Our YC-141B

It’s story and history

Our museum’s C-141 first flew on April 6, 1967 as an “A” model. With eight years of service completed, It was returned to Lockheed in Marietta, Georgia for upgrading. On January 8, 1977, after more than a year of modifications,  it was unveiled as the prototype of the C-141B. Now it was 23 feet longer and it had an in-flight refueling system.

Following extensive testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California our aircraft was returned to service. It was retired from duty and came back to Lockheed in 1993 and was later donated to our museum by Lockheed. When we received it there were no wings and the fuselage and flight deck had been stripped of anything that could be reused. It was kind of a skeleton and a shadow of it’s former self.

Our restoration team is lead by two of our museum volunteers, Boone Barnes a retired Air Force C-141 navigator and John Kennedy a former Air Force C-141 pilot. They both flew on this airplane when it was in service. The team started restoration several years ago and are making good progress in returning it to how it was when in service.

The restoration is a long, costly and difficult process but the team is hoping to complete it in the next year’s time.

If you would like to help you can donate to the fundraiser dedicated to the restoration of this plane. Your help will assist a passionate group of folks in preserving a piece of American aviation.