Curating and Photos...

Along with doing living history, I also volunteer and am curator at the Naval Air Museum Barbers Point, located at the former Naval Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei.  I became involved with NAMBP about 5 years or so ago and in that time I have had some of the most rewarding and not to mention wacky experiences of my life; simply due to the fact that I was there on the right day at the right time.

The museum has been around since 1999 when NAS Barbers Point was finally shuttered after 58 years of service.  The mission of NAMBP is to preserve the history of the base and thus far, we have a collection of 11 aircraft which are representative of types which flew out of NAS Barbers Point in the Cold War years.

Out of all the aircraft in the collection, our flagship would have to be our P-3A Orion "Alphie" which has been the focus of our attention this year.  "Alphie" was retired from service at NAS Barbers Point and was left on the flight line when the base closed.  She last flew with the unit VPU-2 "The Wizards" which relocated to and now operates from MCAS Kaneohe.  "Alphie" is the largest aircraft we have and is symbolic of NAS Barbers Point because back in its day the P-3 Orion would have been a ubiquitous sight on the flight line and in the air space about the base.

"Alphie" from the rear showing the MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detector) Boom or "stinger" at the tail, which would have been used to help detect submarines during patrols.  While the purpose of the Orion is anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol, "Alphie" is unique in that she is a non-standard Orion owing to her service with VPU-2.  While with the "Wizards" she was a part of "special projects" read the testing and evaluation of top secret equipment and other related secret squirrel activities.

As part of our push to restore "Alphie" to presentable condition, we have partnered with a Boy Scout to refurbish the interior of "Alphie" for his Eagle Scout Project.  He and his volunteers have put in 3 day so far on just the cockpit alone, but the results speak volumes about the effort involved.

Looking towards the cockpit from the center of the plane.

Inside the cockpit.  The pilot (or aircraft commander) sits on the left and the copilot on the right.  All the gray areas on the consoles and floor were just repainted.

Close-up of the center console, note the pre-digital "steam guages" and analogue switches.  No high-speed "glass cockpit" here!  Again, all the gray you see was repainted after the instruments were removed and area carefully covered and masked.

View of the copilots station.

 View of the aircraft commanders station.

Even after going on for over 10 years now, NAMBP is still just a fledgling, grass-roots organization.  I myself refer to us as a rebel or guerilla museum, being that we are still largely unknown.  Despite the challenges though, there is still satisfaction to be found in the little victories we achieve here and there, and I think that this Eagle Scout Project is the perfect example of what a small group of dedicated amateurs can do.  When the work is complete, "Alphie" at least on the inside, will actually look better than an operational Navy P-3, quite the achievement considering that we are using spray paint and office carpeting, and on a shoestring budget too!

Being involved in projects like "Alphie" is why I enjoy giving my spare time to NAMBP, and despite the stress and challenges which inevitably arise; there is no greater satisfaction than knowing at the end of the day that the work you put in rivals or even beats that of the professionals.