Grissom Air MuseumPOW*MIA Chair of Honor
The Grissom Air Museum POW*MIA Chair of Honor is pilot seat from a Fairchild C-119 aircraft donated by the Museum.
The
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was an American military transport
aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet,
designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients, and mechanized
equipment, and to drop cargo and troops by parachute.
The
first C-119 made its initial flight in November 1947, and by the time
production ceased in 1955, more than 1,100 C-119s had been built. Its
cargo-hauling ability and unusual twin-boom design earned it the
nickname "Flying Boxcar".
Maximum speed: 296.02 mph
Maiden flight: Nov 17, 1947
Length: 86 feet 6 inches
Wingspan: 109 feet
Retired: 1974
Introduced: Dec 1949
Refurbishing the ChairAfter
receiving the pilot seat from the Museum, we took the seat apart to
prepare it for power coating by Pro-Kote Indy, reupholstering by
Smitty’s Indy Marine, and POW/MIA logo by Embroidery Plus.
Pro-Kote
Indy power coated the chair with an olive green color to keep the chair
close to its original Military color. The plate front of the Chair was
removed before power coating to preserve the plate. The plate was
remounted on the chair after the power coating.
While the
power coating was being done, Smitty’s Indy Marine worked on
reupholstering the seat cushions and arm rests. Embroidery Plus
embroidered the POW/MIA logo on the material for the back cushion and
when done, Smitty’s put the seat all together.
While
Pro-Kote Indy, Embroidery Plus and Smitty’s were busy working on the
seat, Dick Harrington went to work building the platform for the Chair
to sit on.
Once everything was done, Chapter members
finished putting the display together and transported it to the Grissom
Air Museum for the dedication on September 7th, 2019.
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The POW*MIA Chair of Honor was delivered to the Air Museum
Tom Kelly, the Museum Board President, and Chapter member Ed Newbill receives the Chair.
Dedication CeremonyThe dedication of the Grissom Air Museum POW*MIA Chair of Honor was on
September 7, 2019 during the Air and Space Expo. The POW*MIA Chair of Honor was
unveiled by Thomas Jennings, the Executive Director of the Grissom AFB Museum,
Tom Kelly, the Museum Board President, and Ed Newbill, member of Rolling
Thunder® Indiana Chapter 1. Special Recognition
Special thanks to Tom Jennings, Tom Kelly and the Grissom AFB Museum for
allowing this special Chair of Honor to be placed in this special Museum for
all to see. Pro-Kote
Indy, Smitty’s Indy Marine, and Embroidery Plus for their efforts in
refurbishing this special chair. Dick Harrington for building the platform that
the chair sits on, Ed Newbill and all the Chapter Members that helped in
putting it all together. Job well done.
OUR NATION POWs and MIAs MUST NEVER BE FORGOTTEN |
