About H.A.R.P.
Hangar B at Floyd Bennett Field is a busy place. Mechanics and sheet metal
specialists flutter around dissected aircraft while other workmen tinker on aircraft tugs
or repair the building's heating and electrical systems. Although experienced and
highly skilled, these dedicated workers don't receive a paycheck for their labors.
They are all National Park Service volunteers.
The Historic Aircraft Restoration Project, or
HARP, is a unique volunteer effort created to preserve the rich aviation history of Floyd
Bennett Field. The airfield's roots go back to the early days of aviation when it
was New York City's first municipal airport, and continued through its period as a naval
air station.
Italian Air Marshall Italo Balbo landed a
flotilla of 24 seaplanes at the airfield in 1933. From the war years through the
1960's, everyone in this area of Brooklyn, watched as an endless stream of military
aircraft moved in and out of the field at all hours of the day and night. . In 1995 park
staff were approached about the idea of preserving the old aircraft and history of the
field. Soon later HARP was formed.
Currently the aircraft include a C-47 Gooney Bird,
C-45 Expediter, an amphibious Grumman Goose, an HH-3 Pelican Coast Guard Helicopter, an
A-4B Skyhawk, a PT-26 primary trainer, SP2E Neptune anti-submarine warfare plane, an HU-16
Albatross, and a Nike Missile. However, the pride of the fleet is a PBY-5A
Catalina. Frequently seen at Floyd Bennett Field in the 1940's and 50's, the large
twin-engine seaplane fills up one quarter of the hangar. It is on loan from the
Marine Corps, restoration of the aircraft will take about seven and a half years.
Although the PBY, like all of the aircraft on display at Floyd Bennett, will never be
airworthy, the restoration effort will preserve them for static display for generations to
come.
For many of their activities HARP volunteers
rely on donated materials and services. One such donation came from the United
States Coast Guard. Members from Air Station Brooklyn played a big role in restoring
the HH-3 helicopter by refinishing its exterior with the distinctive orange, white and
blue Coast Guard Colors.
Many HARP volunteers bring with them an
aviation connection. Several worked in aircraft maintenance while five are licensed
pilots, including one who flies Boeing 747's. Others come with no technical skills,
but bring a strong desire to learn and contribute. They range in age from the
teenagers at Aviation High School in Queens to a large force of retirees and
veterans. Working up to three days a week, HARP volunteers have put in more than
30,000 hours of combined time during the last year.
In addition to technical skills, HARP
volunteers are also part interpretive rangers. During the summer months they appear
at park festivals in their distinctive aviation jumpsuits, talking to visitors about the
planes and Floyd Bennett Field's heritage.
Gateway plans call for the acquisition of more
aircraft and the eventual restoration of the historic hangars. For their part, HARP
volunteers will play a critical role in those plans by restoring the planes that
interpreters will use to illustrate the history of Floyd Bennett Field.