Bell Museum To Explore Expansion Options
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
MENTONE - Although the 1950s-era Bell 47G OH 13 and Hiller make for an interesting display in Gerald Romine's back yard, he'd much rather have the helicopters on view elsewhere.
The perfect place for the single-rotor choppers would be under roof at the Bell Aircraft Museum, according to Romine, who serves as that board's president.
The current facility is chock full of Lawrence D. Bell memorabilia, illustrating the life and career of the Mentone native and aviation pioneer.
There's no space for indoor exhibits - yet.
On Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum's directors will host an open house to feature several new donations and to detail expansion plans.
Romine has been involved with the facility since its beginnings, when test pilot Chuck Yeager, actor Bob Cummings, seven acting generals and 11 retired generals attended the initial fund-raising campaign for the museum 25 years ago.
Yeager was test pilot for the first supersonic airplane, the X-1, a Bell Aircraft design.
Though Bell Aircraft Corp. is credited with a hangar-full of aviation firsts, the open house will mark the first major addition to the museum.
While the UH-1 Huey, built in 1963, can be displayed outdoors, the H-13 and the Hiller are a little more delicate with their bubble-covered cockpit design.
Fans of the "M*A*S*H" television series will recognize this particular H-13. Featured in the opening credits, it also was the chopper used to bring "wounded" to the 4077th.
Both helicopter models served as equipment carriers or rescue units or were used for aerial observation during the Korean and Vietnam wars. They eventually wound up in Chicago as training units in a vocational school's aviation engine class.
The aircraft, along with spare parts, a cutaway 'copter engine, flight simulator and spare parts, were recently donated to the Bell Museum by the Chicago-area school corporation.
Plans are to house the aircraft in a 150-foot by 75-foot steel structure.
In addition to the Bell collection, Romine said, the expansion will create space to honor Mentone's military veterans and provide space for other collections, including that of stunt pilot Bob Herendeen, who was also born in Mentone.
The Bell Aircraft Museum is on Oak Street, two blocks west of the intersection of Ind. 25 and Ind. 19. The museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m., June through September.
Board of director officers are: Romine, president; Tim Whetstone, vice president; the Rev. Will Lawson, treasurer; and Elaine Hill, secretary. Members include Sue Pyle, R.J. Hill, Tim Croy, Steve Lewis, Ron Barker, Lois Miller, Linda Cochran and Dr. Waymond B. Wilson.
Romine, Lawson, R.J. Hill, Lewis, Barker and Wilson are veterans. In addition to Romine, Elaine Hill, R.J. Hill and Miller are charter members of the board. [[In-content Ad]]
MENTONE - Although the 1950s-era Bell 47G OH 13 and Hiller make for an interesting display in Gerald Romine's back yard, he'd much rather have the helicopters on view elsewhere.
The perfect place for the single-rotor choppers would be under roof at the Bell Aircraft Museum, according to Romine, who serves as that board's president.
The current facility is chock full of Lawrence D. Bell memorabilia, illustrating the life and career of the Mentone native and aviation pioneer.
There's no space for indoor exhibits - yet.
On Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum's directors will host an open house to feature several new donations and to detail expansion plans.
Romine has been involved with the facility since its beginnings, when test pilot Chuck Yeager, actor Bob Cummings, seven acting generals and 11 retired generals attended the initial fund-raising campaign for the museum 25 years ago.
Yeager was test pilot for the first supersonic airplane, the X-1, a Bell Aircraft design.
Though Bell Aircraft Corp. is credited with a hangar-full of aviation firsts, the open house will mark the first major addition to the museum.
While the UH-1 Huey, built in 1963, can be displayed outdoors, the H-13 and the Hiller are a little more delicate with their bubble-covered cockpit design.
Fans of the "M*A*S*H" television series will recognize this particular H-13. Featured in the opening credits, it also was the chopper used to bring "wounded" to the 4077th.
Both helicopter models served as equipment carriers or rescue units or were used for aerial observation during the Korean and Vietnam wars. They eventually wound up in Chicago as training units in a vocational school's aviation engine class.
The aircraft, along with spare parts, a cutaway 'copter engine, flight simulator and spare parts, were recently donated to the Bell Museum by the Chicago-area school corporation.
Plans are to house the aircraft in a 150-foot by 75-foot steel structure.
In addition to the Bell collection, Romine said, the expansion will create space to honor Mentone's military veterans and provide space for other collections, including that of stunt pilot Bob Herendeen, who was also born in Mentone.
The Bell Aircraft Museum is on Oak Street, two blocks west of the intersection of Ind. 25 and Ind. 19. The museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m., June through September.
Board of director officers are: Romine, president; Tim Whetstone, vice president; the Rev. Will Lawson, treasurer; and Elaine Hill, secretary. Members include Sue Pyle, R.J. Hill, Tim Croy, Steve Lewis, Ron Barker, Lois Miller, Linda Cochran and Dr. Waymond B. Wilson.
Romine, Lawson, R.J. Hill, Lewis, Barker and Wilson are veterans. In addition to Romine, Elaine Hill, R.J. Hill and Miller are charter members of the board. [[In-content Ad]]