Warbird Recovery LLC tells ANN that it has donated one Messerschmitt Bf109-E7 to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Savannah, Georgia. The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is located near the birthplace of the 8th Air Force which was activated in Savannah fifty three days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is home to many exquisite exhibits and artifacts from the war. After several visits to the Savannah museum, directors of Warbird Recovery recognized the value the Museum brings to the community and the way it preserves history. Warbird Recovery decided that the donation of a rare and historic aircraft, that was a primary adversary of the 8th Air Force during the war in the skies over Europe, would be a great addition to the Museum collection.

Gordon Page, President of Warbird Recovery said "Warbird Recovery is pleased that it can offer a piece of history that will compliment the efforts of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. The Museum is world class and has done an incredible job of educating the general public about the sacrifices our forefathers put forth to defend our freedoms". C. J. Roberts, President and CEO of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum commented "We are pleased to accept the generous offer from Warbird Recovery and look forward to adding the Messerschmitt to the ever growing collection of historic aircraft and memorabilia at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum".

The Messerschmitt will be in storage at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum until it is decided how it can be utilized at the facility. The donation will allow Warbird Recovery to move forward on the restoration of several aircraft as well as the recoveries of several other warbirds.

Established in 1993, Warbird Recovery is committed to the international recovery and restoration of rare and historic military aircraft. Aircraft acquired by Warbird Recovery are intended to be restored to flying condition and displayed at the Warbird Recovery Facility in Broomfield, Colorado. Warbird Recovery also works with Museums and private collectors worldwide to help fill their collection needs.

In 1983 Major General Lewis E. Lyle, USAF Retired, a B-17 veteran of 70 combat missions during World War II, along with other veterans began planning the Mighty Eighth Air Force museum. The Museum honors the men and women who helped defeat Nazi aggression by serving in or supporting the greatest air armada the world had ever seen--the Eighth Air Force. Prior to building the museum, the museum planners traveled throughout the United States and Europe visiting museums and talking with staff from these institutions. The very best elements found among these facilities were then combined to create a dramatic 90,000 square foot museum complex.

On May 14, 1996, to the applause of 5,000 Eighth Air Force veterans, their families, dignitaries, and supporters, the vision became a reality with the dedication of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum in Pooler, Georgia, just west of Savannah.

FMI: www.warbirdrecovery.com, www.mightyeighth.org