The plight of the Marine plane at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport has struck a chord with readers.
Since the story was published Wednesday about the airport commission’s pending decision to repaint the vintage aircraft or let it go, there have been offers to help.
But Steve Sievek, airport manager, said it’s not simply the idea of spending $20 for paint.
The job is expected to cost several thousand dollars and maybe more than $10,000. Sievek said the plane will have to be soda blasted to remove the current paint and airplane paint is typically several hundred dollars per gallon.
The plane was first installed along Highway 210 but was moved closer to the airport terminal after work on the highway in the early 1990s because a wing of the plane extended over the ditch and road right of way, and the airport was required to move the plane.
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Many people would help preserve this plane. This plave has alot of history and needs to be preserved- it is a treasure!! My father was a Marine Pilot, Judge Robert Ryan. All the Veterans of foreign wars can relate to the plane and it is honoring their service for the freedoms we enjoy!!
I know the National Guard has
I know the National Guard has a 25 ton crane they were always looking for training for when I was a member. Maybe the 142 Engineer’s at Camp Ripley can be contacted to see if they can help out if you need to move the plane. I know we did training at the airport one year.
Thank You
Wow this is really cool, how nice it is to see CONSTRUCTIVE things taking center stage at the airport.
After the last couple stories in the paper we have had many, many calls pledging assistance or offering ideas to help save this historical landmark.
After two years of attempting to get this done, it appears that we will now actually be able to make this happen.
What a wonderful community response, the airport and the people surrounding it are great!
Mike Petersen
Brainerd Airport