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Yankee Air Museum wants home at ex-bomber plant

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VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - The Yankee Air Museum is kicking off a $6 million campaign to make its home at a former facility that built B-24 bombers during World War II.

Museum officials announced this week an effort to purchase and renovate part of the former Willow Run powertrain plant. The museum is housed at Willow Run Airport, near Ypsilanti in Wayne County's Van Buren Township.

The former Yankee Air Museum's headquarters at Willow Run Airport burned in 2004. Three historic aircraft were saved, but many artifacts, tools, and other museum pieces were lost.
Credit Yankee Air Museum
The former Yankee Air Museum's headquarters at Willow Run Airport burned in 2004. Three historic aircraft were saved, but many artifacts, tools, and other museum pieces were lost.

Its original headquarters was destroyed by fire in 2004.

Dennis Norton, the founder and president of the Yankee Air Museum, has presented plans to Ypsilanti Township officials. The museum says it has until Aug. 1 to secure funding, and would buy the site from the Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response Trust.

Ford Motor Co. built the plant for B-24 production. It later was taken over by General Motors.

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.
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