Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were on that flight and we will be forever grateful to the heroic efforts of the first responders at Bradley. The Collings Foundation flight team is fully cooperating with officials to determine the cause of the crash of the B-17 Flying Fortress and will comment further when […]
The epic journey to return the oldest and most historically significant Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in flying condition to the United States has begun. PBY-5A Bu. No. 2459 departed Lelystad Airport (EHLE) in the Netherlands on May 29th, 2019 for Wick, Scotland (EGPC) to prepare the PBY for the transoceanic crossing of the North Atlantic. The […]
Progress is moving forward with the construction of the American Heritage Museum at our headquarters in Stow, MA! The building is now fully enclosed and work has started on the inside of the building to prepare it for exhibit installation this Spring and Summer. Over the coming weeks, construction crews will finish the installation of […]
The Collings Foundation has started the restoration of Fairchild PT-19A serial number 43-31512, one of the last known primary trainer aircraft that served to train the Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African-American military aviators and servicemen that fought in World War II. This historic aircraft will join our Boeing PT-17 Kaydet “Stearman” s/n 41-25454 […]
The American Heritage Museum at the Collings Foundation is finally taking shape on the Stow / Hudson, MA line after many years of planning and development – as we move forward with a projected late 2018 opening.
The Wings of Freedom tour crew is comprised of an amazing and dedicated group of people. Pre-flight experience briefings from the crew are always captivating and suspenseful. Just inside the waist door of the B-17 is a hand hold. You have to look for it on the top leading edge. The medal is smooth and […]
P-38L-5-LO “44-53186” was one of a hundred thousand plus aircraft ordered in fiscal 1944 by the U.S. War Department. The P-38 design had been improving rapidly as this aircraft was being assembled in 1945. 44-53186 would be born as an “L dash 5” P-38, considered the best and most capable of the fighter P-38 variants. […]
The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African-Americans who served in the 447th bomber group and the 332nd Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Force during WWII. These young men included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes in the air. They were named […]
The Evergreen Aviation Museum collection in Oregon recently sold their P-38 Lightning and B-17G Flying Fortress to help the museum during a restructuring and reorganization. With generous donor support, the aircraft will be operated by the Collings Foundation. The P-38 is a unique and rare survivor. This famous WWII aircraft helped turn the tide in […]
Born in 1878, Glenn Curtiss was an aviation pioneer of the United States aircraft industry. Curtiss began his career building bicycles. Mastering the day’s best technology, he moved on to create intricately designed motorcycles. Testament to his ingenuity was his ability to make the most efficient parts from crude materials. For example, his first motorcycle […]
This article is featured in the 2015-2016 Collings Foundation magazine: Collings Foundation – A view of the lower ground level of the hanger. Clockwise from upper center: Grumman TBM Avenger torpedo bomber, North American AT-6 Texan, Grumman G-21 Goose, Waco UPF-7 biplane, Boeing PT-17 Stearman “Kaydet,” VW Kübelwagen, Fieseler Fi-156 Storch observation aircraft, VW Schwimmwagen, […]
Ford versus Chevy. Is there any rivalry more American than that? OK, maybe Coke versus Pepsi, but for me personally, this is about as American as it gets. It’s the originator against the new kid on the block. It’s old reliability against new excitement. Throughout the years, both companies have provided the public with famous […]
The Collings Foundation is a non-profit, Educational Foundation (501c-3), founded in 1979. The purpose of the Foundation is to organize and support "living history" events that enable Americans to learn more about their heritage through direct participation.
The Collings Foundation
P.O. Box 248
Stow, MA 01775
Phone: (978) 562-9182
Fax: (978) 568-8231
General: info@collingsfoundation.org
Booking: booking@collingsfoundation.org
PX Sales: pxstore@collingsfoundation.org
Website: webmaster@collingsfoundation.org
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Massachusetts, the Father's Day Open House / "Tanks, Wings, & Wheels" event in partnership with the American Heritage Museum has been CANCELLED for June 20-21, 2020. Additionally, the American Heritage Museum is CLOSED until Phase III re-openings are announced in the state. We will make announcements here and on our Facebook page when re-opening is announced.
