Published: Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Oak Harbor museum hoping for historic seaplane
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Kristi O’Harran / The Herald
Joyce Tighe volunteers at the PBY museum in Oak Harbor.
The wartime exhibits in Oak Harbor that would fit inside a typical three-bedroom rambler may be lean of space.
But they’re huge of heart.
Veterans, spouses and those interested in military history are fashioning a place to reminisce about combat from World War II through Iraq.
When you walk into the historic building on the Naval Station Whidbey seaplane base, there is a USO-type canteen. A Nat King Cole tune played on a 1940 Wurlitzer jukebox.
Joyce Tighe greeted visitors at the front door like cherished uncles at Thanksgiving. The widow’s husband, Don Tighe, was a radioman in Korea and Vietnam.
She guided folks past a replica of the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii.
“Come into World War II,” she beckoned.
Tighe knew all the wonders at the PBY Memorial Foundation Historical Display in Oak Harbor.
The display features information on the PBY, an amphibian aircraft flown by the U.S. Navy, Army and Coast Guard in the 1940s. It was known as “Dumbo,” and served as a rescue craft, anti-submarine weapon, minelayer and transport for people and materials.
The first PBY came to the seaplane base on Whidbey Island in 1942, piloted by Lt. J.A. Morrison. He made several sweeps before landing because there were too many logs in the harbor.
There is a picture at the Oak Harbor display of that first crew and pilot. Visitors can also see rooms dedicated to eras in history, a PBY nose turret and wing, flight goggles, vintage crew clothing, aircraft models, a flight simulator, library and gift shop.
Visitors can even take some time to listen to oral histories on tape.
It seemed odd there was no PBY hanging from the rafters or tethered in the parking lot. Acquiring a PBY is all part of a dream for the foundation.
The hold up?
They need about $250,000 to make a purchase. Members hope to surround a plane in a memorial hangar with dioramas, crew documentaries, a video theater, lecture hall and children’s center.
To become a member, mail $25 to PBY Memorial Foundation, Box 941, Oak Harbor, WA, 98277-0941.
In celebration of the 67th anniversary of the seaplane base, a PBY flew in Friday and folks may see it today and Thursday. Drop by the seaplane base during daylight hours. It might leave at noon Friday, but the time isn’t firm, said Richard Rezabek, who served in the Navy for 33 years and is chairman of the board of directors for the PBY group.
Rezabek said he enjoys putting exhibits together at the display on Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor.
If you make a visit, any of the volunteers will be fine guides. You’ll hear personal stories from warm hearts that admire those who served our country and the equipment they favored.
“I think it’s important to keep the history of every airplane alive,” Tighe said. “People who flew the PBY are getting fewer and fewer.”
Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com.
PBY seaplane on view today
See a PBY seaplane today and Thursday at the Naval Station Whidbey seaplane base, 1080 SE Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor.
Drop by during daylight hours. The plane may leave about noon Friday, but the time isn’t firm.
A PBY Memorial Foundation Historical Display is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 315 W. Pioneer Way, Building 12, Oak Harbor.
Call 360-240-9500.
But they’re huge of heart.
Veterans, spouses and those interested in military history are fashioning a place to reminisce about combat from World War II through Iraq.
When you walk into the historic building on the Naval Station Whidbey seaplane base, there is a USO-type canteen. A Nat King Cole tune played on a 1940 Wurlitzer jukebox.
Joyce Tighe greeted visitors at the front door like cherished uncles at Thanksgiving. The widow’s husband, Don Tighe, was a radioman in Korea and Vietnam.
She guided folks past a replica of the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii.
“Come into World War II,” she beckoned.
Tighe knew all the wonders at the PBY Memorial Foundation Historical Display in Oak Harbor.
The display features information on the PBY, an amphibian aircraft flown by the U.S. Navy, Army and Coast Guard in the 1940s. It was known as “Dumbo,” and served as a rescue craft, anti-submarine weapon, minelayer and transport for people and materials.
The first PBY came to the seaplane base on Whidbey Island in 1942, piloted by Lt. J.A. Morrison. He made several sweeps before landing because there were too many logs in the harbor.
There is a picture at the Oak Harbor display of that first crew and pilot. Visitors can also see rooms dedicated to eras in history, a PBY nose turret and wing, flight goggles, vintage crew clothing, aircraft models, a flight simulator, library and gift shop.
Visitors can even take some time to listen to oral histories on tape.
It seemed odd there was no PBY hanging from the rafters or tethered in the parking lot. Acquiring a PBY is all part of a dream for the foundation.
The hold up?
They need about $250,000 to make a purchase. Members hope to surround a plane in a memorial hangar with dioramas, crew documentaries, a video theater, lecture hall and children’s center.
To become a member, mail $25 to PBY Memorial Foundation, Box 941, Oak Harbor, WA, 98277-0941.
In celebration of the 67th anniversary of the seaplane base, a PBY flew in Friday and folks may see it today and Thursday. Drop by the seaplane base during daylight hours. It might leave at noon Friday, but the time isn’t firm, said Richard Rezabek, who served in the Navy for 33 years and is chairman of the board of directors for the PBY group.
Rezabek said he enjoys putting exhibits together at the display on Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor.
If you make a visit, any of the volunteers will be fine guides. You’ll hear personal stories from warm hearts that admire those who served our country and the equipment they favored.
“I think it’s important to keep the history of every airplane alive,” Tighe said. “People who flew the PBY are getting fewer and fewer.”
Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com.
PBY seaplane on view today
See a PBY seaplane today and Thursday at the Naval Station Whidbey seaplane base, 1080 SE Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor.
Drop by during daylight hours. The plane may leave about noon Friday, but the time isn’t firm.
A PBY Memorial Foundation Historical Display is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 315 W. Pioneer Way, Building 12, Oak Harbor.
Call 360-240-9500.
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