By: Susan Moffat-Thomas, retired Executive Director Swiss Bear Downtown Development
Watching crews recently wash and repaint the historic F-11A Grumman jet brought back memories of its October 30, 2011 dedication celebration and the interesting story of how this 300th Anniversary Celebration project was restored and relocated to its highly visible location in Lawson Creek Park, adjacent to Highway 70.
In 1973, Major General Paul Fontana, Commander of MCAS Cherry Point, presented this aircraft to the city of New Bern as a symbol of friendship. The aircraft is owned by the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) in Pensacola, Florida, and, in the original agreement between MCAS, city officials and the NNAM, the city agreed to maintain it. Displayed at the edge of the (then) city limits, adjacent to the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, over the decades, as growth and development took place along that corridor, the jet lost its visibility and suffered from deterioration, neglect and vandalism.
In 2006, when several members of Swiss Bear’s 300th Anniversary Connectivity Committee examined the jet and determined the jet was an aviation treasure that needed to be restored, the city approved Swiss Bear’s request to spearhead a fundraising campaign and coordinate the restoration and relocation of the jet to a suitable location.
Rudy Ramcke’s research (Connectivity Committee member and retired Northrop Grumman employee) determined the aircraft was flown as a US Navy Blue Angel, for the 1966-67 season, and the decision to re-paint it in the Blue Angel livery, was approved by NNAM. Further research revealed, the F-11A #141802 was put into service in 1958, served with several Navy units until 1965, and when it was transferred to MCAS Cherry Point, it was put in storage. In 1966 it was overhauled before reassignment to the 1966-67 Blue Angel season. Of 201 built, forty-five of the F-11A’s served the Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration team between 1959 and 1961.
The F11 F-1 (later F-11A) Tiger is Grumman’s first supersonic fighter. It was a top Blue Angel performer for many years, before it was transitioned to F-4’s. This modification, with higher powered engines, achieved distinction as the first airplane to capture the world’s altitude record using zoom climb techniques. It’s first flight was in 1945. In 1958, the Tigers, assigned to the advanced training command, served as advanced trainers, and along with the Blues, their excellent flight characteristics were used to an advantage until they were fazed out of service late in 1968.
When the public became aware of the project and our fundraising efforts, controversy ensued. Most vocal comments came from individuals with memories of playing in the park as children, or ate lunch in it when they were in high school, and wanted it to remain on the original site. Others wanted it in Union Point Park. However, our research indicated Lawson Creek Park was the best location and the Aldermen agreed. This gated Park, with controlled hours of use, would be a deterrence to vandalism, and had the space to accommodate its physical size without infringing on park activities. In the meantime, in 2009, as the restoration and fundraising effort moved forward, an unidentified call, to the NNAM, led to a museum official’s visit to New Bern. Following his inspection of the jet (at its original site) he said, the city did not maintain it as per the original agreement, and if the city didn’t restore it soon, they were required to return it to the museum, at their expense. The caller, later identified as the pilot who flew the jet in the 1966-77 season, was upset, the city allowed its deterioration.
In January, 2010, the newly elected Board of Aldermen declared the city was taking this project away from Swiss Bear, and appointed Fire Chief Bobby Aster, then Interim Director of Public Works, to head up the project. That decision was soon reversed when they learned the city was responsible for restoration costs and/or costs incurred in returning the jet to the Naval Museum. With reluctance, Swiss Bear’s Board agreed to take back the project, when Swiss Bear’s Director and the Fire Chief agreed to be co-chairs and on-site coordinators with Connectivity Committee members. Swiss Bear would continue raising funds, and the city would provide in-kind support.
In the spring of 2010, the jet was transported to Cherry Point’s Fleet Readiness Center-East for restoration by FRC-E employees and volunteers. Many well qualified enthusiastic volunteers worked numerous hours repairing, restoring, priming and painting this historic aircraft to its original Blue Angle glory.
In the meantime, construction of the concrete base, pedestal and fuselage mount was completed. When the newly painted F-11 was transported to Lawson Creek Park, a crane hoisted it into the air and it was attached to the pedestal. The sidewalk circling the base of the pedestal was constructed, flag poles were erected, the mound of compacted soil around the base was planted with a heavy ground cover, and the NC Department of Transportation cleared the easement/access area adjacent to the highway of scrub trees, brush and undergrowth to enhance the site and the jet’s visibility to travelers.
Today, interpretive signage, includes a summary of the history of the jet, and recognizes the high level of participation and support of the many people who contributed thousands of dollars, and invested thousands of hours of their time, to ensure the project’s success.
On October 30, 2011, state, military and local officials, dignitaries, the USMC Airwing Band and several hundred citizens joined together to dedicate and celebrate the completion of this historic newly restored aviation treasure.
Like Swiss Bear’s many other projects, this project met the objective of having a “lasting outcome” and our community is all the better for it.