Some of the museum’s aircraft restoration shop team with the awards and the airplanes. From left to right: Bret Russell, Jakonah Matson Bell, Jim Richardson, Bob Madsen, Butch Hunting.
Some of the museum’s aircraft restoration shop team with the awards and the airplanes. From left to right: Bret Russell, Jakonah Matson Bell, Jim Richardson, Bob Madsen, Butch Hunting.
HOOD RIVER — The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) received eight awards during the 2024 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This event is the largest aviation gathering in the U.S. and had more than 10,000 aircraft and 686,000 visitors this year. WAAAM brought their 1933 Stearman Model 70 and 1940 St. Louis YPT-15 “Streetcar.”
The Stearman Model 70 is the prototype that secured a military contract leading to the production of more than 10,000 Stearman training aircraft during World War II. It is the one-and-only of its kind. The St. Louis YPT-15 “Streetcar” is the last remaining of its kind and was one of the many different companies that lost the WWII contract to Stearman. Both aircraft were restored by WAAAM and its volunteers, and both flew out to the event.
Stearman Model 70 and St. Louis YPT-15 in flight.
Contributed photo
In addition to “Best Stearman” and “Best Prototype,” four of the eight awards given were for exemplary craftsmanship and included a silver “Phoenix” award which is given to recognize the highest achievement in craftsmanship and dedication in the preservation of aviation history accomplished in restoration.
The museum extends heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers and supporters who made this achievement possible. This recognition underscores WAAAM’s dedication to preserving aviation history and the invaluable contributions of its volunteer community.
Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum is located at 1600 Air Museum Road, Hood River.
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