Grissom Air Museum Seeks Help On Cold War-Era Bomber Exhibit

BUNKER HILL, Ind. (AP) — The aircraft museum at northern Indiana's Grissom Air Reserve Base is seeking $100,000 boost from local government toward a building to protect and display one of the few surviving Cold War-era B-58 Hustler bombers.

Grissom Air Museum leaders are asking for Miami County economic development fund money as they plan the estimated $700,000 exhibit space featuring the bomber, dozens of which were stationed at the Indiana base in the 1960s. The B-58 was the U.S. Air Force's first operational supersonic bomber and only seven remain out of the 116 built, the Kokomo Tribune reported.

The museum has raised more than $100,000 toward the project and hopes to build a roof over the Hustler this year while continuing to raise money, museum Director Tom Jennings said.

“It’s really important that we maintain this and protect it, because Indiana weather is not that great for the aircrafts, and this plane is worth saving,” Jennings said.

Jim Tidd, executive director of the Miami County Economic Development Authority, said he supported the contribution as the museum along U.S. 31 is a top tourist attraction for the area.

The project plans call for a display of artifacts about the bomber’s history and a loft area allowing visitors to look down on the plane.

The Miami County Council could vote on the funding request next month.