Yankee Air Force, KYIP-Fire

[cj610]

I've been out of the country and just heard the Yankee Air Force Museum at Willow Run Airport,MI burned down. I just did a search but didn't pull up anything. Did they save the B-17,B-25,C-47?

CJ610

 

[RJP]

I've been out of the country and just heard the Yankee Air Force Museum at Willow Run Airport,MI burned down. I just did a search but didn't pull up anything. Did they save the B-17,B-25,C-47?

CJ610

Heard the B-25 was out of the hangar and some or most of the planes were saved. All the memorabilia is toast though. Sad. And you're right, there's almost no info on-line about it.

 

[pilotyip]

all flying airplanes saved

The C-47, B-17 and Stinson, plus the B-25 where all saved. The airport has given the YAM the use of another hanger at YIP to set up offices and maintenance. They plan on a full flying season next year.

 

[cj610]

So what caused the fire? How much of the hangar is damaged? Can it be fixed? Glad they got those planes out.

 

[pilotyip]

No cause known

Investigators have not determined what happened. It was a 1941 temporary WWII wood hangar, built to last about 5-10 years. Once the fire started in was all over in about 30 minutes. The hangar is a 100% goner.