Very sad news in the paper this morning:
’ The Yankee Air Museum, a popular air history attraction at the Willow Run Airport near Ypsilanti, burned to the ground Saturday evening when a fast-moving fire swept through the building, destroying priceless aviation artifacts and two airplanes.
‘Three of the museum’s most prized aircraft—a C-47, B-25D and B-17G restored to flying condition—were saved because the crew of the B-25 had just returned from a flight and was able to move the planes out of the burning hangar.
‘The fire was reported at about 6:30 p.m. and soon had engulfed the 50,000-square-foot hangar, which was built in 1941 by Henry Ford for the production of B-24 Liberator bombers. No one was injured and no cause had been determined Saturday night.’
Being the classic airplane nut that I am, it’s sorrowful news; but at least they saved the three most important restoration aircraft.
I ran over to Willow Run to see if I could get some pics, but the fire department is still pouring water on the smoking ruins, so I could only get a few from far away.
Also, autumn color is in its full glory this weekend, and the weather is perfect. This is my favorite time to be in Ann Arbor; it’s just glorious. Breathtaking. Some pics (which don’t do it justice):
