thedrifter
04-02-08, 06:29 AM
Osprey to take off as Missiles Museum new exhibit
By K.J. Williams,
Star-News Correspondent
Published: Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 12:14 a.m.
Ospreys aren't just flying over Topsail Island, they can be viewed close up at a new exhibit opening this month.
The Historical Society of Topsail Island Missiles & More Museum will unveil its latest static exhibit of the military aircraft that shares its name with a bird, the long-winged raptor, on April 7.
Volunteers at the nonprofit museum say they chose the Osprey, a hybrid aircraft, as the newest exhibit because its pilots often fly over the island, which has sparked local interest. The museum also focuses on historical or military themes that are tied to the island, with permanent exhibits about its missile testing history during the World War II era.
Open from April through mid-October, admission to the museum is free, although donations are accepted. Last year's new exhibit about pirates helped boost the number of visitors there during the 2007 season.
The historical society's president Cecile Broadhurst said the museum originally opened in the mid-1990s in a corner of the Assembly Building Topsail Island Community Center at the intersection of Channel Boulevard and Flake Avenue. It now has its own facility that is attached to the center.
Charles Robrecht, a museum trustee, has spent about four months working on the new exhibit, which uses military photographs of the aircraft. Last year, MV-22 Ospreys were transported to Iraq from Marine Corps Air Station New River.
"People around Topsail have seen these things flying around," he said, adding that pilots train in the area. The unique tilt-rotor aircraft is a hybrid. It's not a helicopter or an airplane. It takes off like a helicopter, but after it's airborne, it can be converted into a turboprop airplane.
"It's to transport troops in the early stages of an assault - safely and quickly," Robrecht said. "The big benefit is it can take off vertically and because it can change its configuration, it's fast."
About 12 panels will be installed for the Osprey exhibit. Robrecht said the text and photos on the panels will be divided by subheadings for people interested in learning about specific topics.
Various sections address hydraulic systems, propulsion and avionics. A model of the Osprey more than a foot long will hang from the ceiling.
Robrecht said he plans to mention the hybrid's previous history of crashes. In 2000, 19 Marines were killed in Arizona, and four Marines from New River were killed near Jacksonville. Since, the aircraft has been redesigned, according to its Bell-Boeing manufacturers and its military proponents. Critics of the Osprey also have decried its cost overruns during its 25 years in development.
Museum director Rose Peters said the Assembly building was constructed by the Navy to assemble missiles launched into the ocean from a site now occupied by the Jolly Roger motel. The military was developing a propulsion system.
Concrete towers that were used to watch the trajectory of the launched missiles still exist on South Anderson Boulevard.
"These towers have withstood all the worst storms that Topsail has seen and the worst one was 1954's Hurricane Hazel," Robrecht said.
Some of the seven remaining towers have been remodeled into homes. Two of the towers, one used for observation, the other as a control tower, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Assembly building also is listed on the register for its significance as a Naval ordnance testing facility.
Peters said she's become fascinated by the island's "unique history."
"I just started loving it," she said of her museum work.
Ellie
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: A new exhibit on the V-22 Osprey development, design and military use
WHEN: April 7 to mid-October, open 2-4 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, or by appointment
WHERE: The Historical Society of Topsail Island Missiles & More Museum, 720 Channel Blvd., Topsail Beach.
WANT TO HELP?
Do you like to meet new people? Do you like to talk about Topsail Island and its unique history? The museum will conduct docent training from 10 a.m.-noon
April 2 and noon-2 p.m. April 3.
FOR INFORMATION: Call Rose Peters, 328-2488
By K.J. Williams,
Star-News Correspondent
Published: Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 12:14 a.m.
Ospreys aren't just flying over Topsail Island, they can be viewed close up at a new exhibit opening this month.
The Historical Society of Topsail Island Missiles & More Museum will unveil its latest static exhibit of the military aircraft that shares its name with a bird, the long-winged raptor, on April 7.
Volunteers at the nonprofit museum say they chose the Osprey, a hybrid aircraft, as the newest exhibit because its pilots often fly over the island, which has sparked local interest. The museum also focuses on historical or military themes that are tied to the island, with permanent exhibits about its missile testing history during the World War II era.
Open from April through mid-October, admission to the museum is free, although donations are accepted. Last year's new exhibit about pirates helped boost the number of visitors there during the 2007 season.
The historical society's president Cecile Broadhurst said the museum originally opened in the mid-1990s in a corner of the Assembly Building Topsail Island Community Center at the intersection of Channel Boulevard and Flake Avenue. It now has its own facility that is attached to the center.
Charles Robrecht, a museum trustee, has spent about four months working on the new exhibit, which uses military photographs of the aircraft. Last year, MV-22 Ospreys were transported to Iraq from Marine Corps Air Station New River.
"People around Topsail have seen these things flying around," he said, adding that pilots train in the area. The unique tilt-rotor aircraft is a hybrid. It's not a helicopter or an airplane. It takes off like a helicopter, but after it's airborne, it can be converted into a turboprop airplane.
"It's to transport troops in the early stages of an assault - safely and quickly," Robrecht said. "The big benefit is it can take off vertically and because it can change its configuration, it's fast."
About 12 panels will be installed for the Osprey exhibit. Robrecht said the text and photos on the panels will be divided by subheadings for people interested in learning about specific topics.
Various sections address hydraulic systems, propulsion and avionics. A model of the Osprey more than a foot long will hang from the ceiling.
Robrecht said he plans to mention the hybrid's previous history of crashes. In 2000, 19 Marines were killed in Arizona, and four Marines from New River were killed near Jacksonville. Since, the aircraft has been redesigned, according to its Bell-Boeing manufacturers and its military proponents. Critics of the Osprey also have decried its cost overruns during its 25 years in development.
Museum director Rose Peters said the Assembly building was constructed by the Navy to assemble missiles launched into the ocean from a site now occupied by the Jolly Roger motel. The military was developing a propulsion system.
Concrete towers that were used to watch the trajectory of the launched missiles still exist on South Anderson Boulevard.
"These towers have withstood all the worst storms that Topsail has seen and the worst one was 1954's Hurricane Hazel," Robrecht said.
Some of the seven remaining towers have been remodeled into homes. Two of the towers, one used for observation, the other as a control tower, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Assembly building also is listed on the register for its significance as a Naval ordnance testing facility.
Peters said she's become fascinated by the island's "unique history."
"I just started loving it," she said of her museum work.
Ellie
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: A new exhibit on the V-22 Osprey development, design and military use
WHEN: April 7 to mid-October, open 2-4 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, or by appointment
WHERE: The Historical Society of Topsail Island Missiles & More Museum, 720 Channel Blvd., Topsail Beach.
WANT TO HELP?
Do you like to meet new people? Do you like to talk about Topsail Island and its unique history? The museum will conduct docent training from 10 a.m.-noon
April 2 and noon-2 p.m. April 3.
FOR INFORMATION: Call Rose Peters, 328-2488