We’ve been closely following the ongoing restoration of a Gulf War era Beechcraft King Air RU-21A by the Veterans of the 138th Aviation Company (based in Orlando). In our last update back in November, the aircraft had been transported to Orlando and participated in the Orlando Veteran’s Day Parade. Afterwards, it was offloaded at Orlando Executive Airport to receive the final stages of restoration before being moved to its permanent memorial home at Orlando International.
This week, Andrew Rodriguez, 138th Aviation Company Memorial President, contacted us to let us know the project was continuing well.
“We have just recently accomplished a major milestone, in that we managed to put the wings and wingtip pods on our aircraft, essentially completing the aircraft,” said Rodriguez. “Now, our next major step is the prepping and painting for outdoor display.”
Since the parade, the project has been working with various volunteers including aircraft mechanics from Delta Airlines. They’ve were able to mount the engines, props, vertical/horizontal stabilizers and repair the damaged tail section. The addition of the wings and wingtip pods was one of the final steps of the restoration.
The project has been receiving a great deal of local support from the central Florida community, including the City of Orlando Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council and local news affiliates.
A detailed breakdown of the aircraft’s restoration journey as well as links for donating can be found here.
Rodriguez also sent us photos of the recent wing restoration workday:
We’re eagerly looking forward to the completed project!