Sad news: Flying Heritage Collection is gone in family dispute
Just heard "through the grapevine" that Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection and Armor Museum in Washington State is closed, permanently. Word is that his sister wants his toys converted into her money as his heir. In the words of a knowledgeable person, "There's going to be the biggest airplane auction you've ever seen."
Also likely means his research vessel that discovered all the World War II wrecks will cease operation too.
As the old saying goes, "Money wrecks everything."
This is sad news indeed. How I wish I had a lazy hundred million dollars though.
I was checking their website, such a gorgeous collection; such a pity to take this path.
Let's pool our money and buy an official iModeler aircraft.
I'm in for the ride!
I vote a Corsair!
Way to honor your brother's memory there sis...
...but then again, she may just be carrying out the instructions Paul left in his will.
Weell, not everyone is mad about old airplanes. We're not really in a position to judge.
Similar situation happened with the late Jacques Littlefield’s massive private tank collection/museum located on his property on the SF Peninsula when a family member wanted Littlefield’s “toys” out of there once and for all after he passed away unexpectedly. $$$$.
At least most of Littlefield’s collection ended up in a good home. Let’s hope the same happens to Flying Heritage. This news must be a dampener for all those restoration folks and aero enthusiasts at Paine Field.
Can't avoid such thing from happening. The collection is indeed impressive but that is also its strength: These planes and vehicles won't be sold for scrap. Let us hope they are not too dispersed and still end-up in an accessible collection for heritage freaks like us. Would be sad if this Ketten Krad for instance ends up in a private living room...
I spent over seven years working at Paine Field where the museum is located. They just finished more than doubling the floor space for display in 2018, and built a track for the armor to run on. It is a most impressive collection of flying vintage aircraft. Everything was restored to "combat" ready. Unfortunately this also means a possible end to a bunch of aircraft that were in work, including his Me-262. My partner in the restoration project I was working on, worked at the museum for a time and still had friends who worked at the museum. He told me of a number of (semi secret) projects in work, including a Fw-189. He also has a B-17 tucked away partly restored, and others.
They also had flying weekends, often themed to show off the different aircraft and vehicles. It was really fun to see an early Me-109E-3 go through start up and fly. If this pans out it really is a sad day for this special type of preservation that Mr. Allen embarked on.
Let's hope the sister has a change of heart. These WWII planes are a national treasure. If they do get sold, hopefully they are sold to someone who will take good care of them.
Darn. This after having planned on going there this year.
It’s tough with private collections. As long as they remain indoors and not get broken up .
In my native Belgium miltaria collections are heavily restricted or outright forbidden.
A sad state of affairs. Don’t let this happen here.
Bernard
All good things come to an end and folks don't plan for their passing and preservation of their life's dreams and ambitions. Allen's estate had it been properly planned for would have included a means for preserving his museum. The late Planes of Fame founder Bob Pond set up a foundation or something with a board to manage the assets of his collection and preserve his dream of having a museum for the public.