Restoration work begins on EB-57, C-7A aircraft

DAYTON, Ohio -- If you walk through the Southeast Asia War exhibit area in the Museum's Modern Flight Gallery, you might notice some empty exhibit spaces. Restoration crews recently removed the Martin EB-57B and De Havilland C-7A and are repainting the aircraft as they appeared while serving in Southeast Asia. The restoration work is part of the ongoing renovation of the Southeast Asia War exhibit, which is taking place through the spring of 2012.

Roger Deere, chief of the Museum's Restoration Division, said work has already begun on the two aircraft. The C-7A is being repainted -- it was displayed outdoors in years past. The EB-57 is being modified back to a B-57, and crews have been changing the cowlings and removing the antenna.

According to Museum Research Historian Jeff Duford, the EB-57B will be converted back to a B-57B, as it was when serving with the 3rd Bomb Wing in Southeast Asia from 1967-1969. The C-7A will be marked as an aircraft serving with the 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing.

For periodic updates about restoration projects, visit http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/exhibits/restoration/index.asp.

Note: This article originally appeared in the Fall 2010 issue of Friends Journal. To receive the Journal and other benefits, become a member of the Air Force Museum Foundation.