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TIN ROOF! rusted.

Today was a momentous day. One of those days that I am proud to say "I was there."

It's one of those situations that I really think you had to be there to experience, but there were moments where I had serious chills and tears in my eyes. I got to be a part of both National and New Mexican history.

What happened? The National Atomic Museum's B-52 bomber, that has been sitting in the same spot at the old museum location on base for THIRTY FIVE YEARS, had one of the final phases of deconstruction done. The wings were removed from the fuselage (the body).

Three of the largest cranes in New Mexico were on hand to hold up the ends of the wings and the box in the center that holds them together. The staff from World Wide Aircraft recovery worked tirelessy all morning to prep to remove the FOUR BOLTS (each the size of my arm) that held the wings to the plane. Then, as if the many hours that passed hadn't yet, the wings and the body were no longer one. The fuselage was towed out from underneath the wings, and the wings then lowered in preparation to be seperated.

Sometime in December, Worldwide Aircraft Recovery will be back to tow the B-52 to its new home - The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History here in Albuquerque. Not only will this be momentous because of the new museum, but also because this plane will be towed there ON ITS OWN WHEELS.

All you history, military, and science buffs out there - get your cameras ready! This is going to be some kind of an event! While we (the museum staff) can't have people coming up onto the new museum property, you CAN park yourselves in the parking lot of the Costco accross the street and take as many photos as you'd like!

Dates and times of this event will come!

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Comment by Paula Manning-Lewis on October 31, 2008 at 5:44pm: That's pretty awe inspiring, RiRi! Which Costco is the new museum across the street from?

Comment by RiRiSynCyr on October 31, 2008 at 6:17pm: excellent question! The new museum is being built on the southwest corner of southern and Eubank. SO, if you head up to the Costco on Eubank, just south of the 40, you can see the amazing progress going on with the construction. Most of the actual building construction going on now is in the interior, but over the next few months all our outdoor exhibits are being moved over piece by piece.

I should mention that our B-29, and other large exhibits are ALREADY THERE! AND YES - we have security 24-7 to protect this valuable collection.

Comment by RiRiSynCyr on October 31, 2008 at 6:25pm: a powerful thought rudolfo....

it is also being reconstructed at the new site, so I'm not sure how Jacques would interpret that?

Comment by Stephanie on October 31, 2008 at 8:47pm: They will be putting all kinds of airplanes, sub pieces, an atomic cannon, and many atomic-era military goodies. I'm really excited to see it all in one place.

Comment by Sarahjmd on October 31, 2008 at 10:47pm: I am excited t hear this. All of it. I took my girl scouts to the museum way back, and the favorite thing was touring the plane. (I think it was the B-29, because i didn't even know there was a B-52 out there. Unfortunately, I never got to take my dad out to see the museum. He crewed on a B29.They were the first crew to complete thier missions and return home. The day they arrived stateside was the day the first atomic bomb was let loose on Japan. The crew received the Distinguished Flying Cross. I am proud of him. The were on the same island in the Marianna's that the Anola Gay crew were stationed, but didn't know it until later. All hush, hush.

I thought the museum was going in over by the Balloon Museum? I like the Eubank location better. If anyone evr gets to Oregon, The Aviation Museum there is astounding. We saw the Spruce Goose there this summer.

Comment by Coco on November 1, 2008 at 11:47am: Cool.

And thank you for another thing RiRi. For all this time, all these years, I swear - between when I first heard that song and now, today, your post and your post title - I never knew what she's shouting about in the Love Shack. "TIN ROOF! Rusted." Of course and thank you.

Comment by Lahjik on November 1, 2008 at 12:28pm: My grandfather worked for Boeing and was a foreman on the line which built the wing-spars for the BUFFs. It's entirely possible that his signature is on the box of that bird! Also, my fav nickname for the 52 was 'Aluminum Overcast'

Comment by Doc Mara on November 1, 2008 at 1:54pm: Derrida, rest his soul, would have had very little to say (except "that's a pretty big crane"). Now, Baudrillard would have a LOT to say about this scene, I suspect.

Comment by Khan on November 1, 2008 at 9:15pm: We're looking forward to the new digs & set-up. As you know, we really enjoy the Atomic Museum!

Comment by norman p on November 5, 2008 at 3:36pm: shouldda joined us to open up the b-29 cowls and shovel out the masses of bird crap. i am looking into a cleaner for pressure washing that will have a neutral PH when finished. un be leiveable ammount of corrosion in the cowl panels, oil cooler and supercharger plenums etc.i do have a couple of sheetmeal buddies that are on standby to see if they can fabricate replacement parts, but thats up to dennis.
i can send u some pics from that day if u like.