NEWS

Friends of Bellanca Airfield

NEWS!

Bellanca Airfield Hangar to share in "Save America's
Treasures" Federal Grants

January 13, 2005

New Castle, DE -

Great News!
For Preservation, Aviation & History Enthusiasts

Friends of Bellanca Airfield &
The Trustees of The New Castle Common
announce

New Castle's Bellanca Airfield Hangar to share in "Save America's
Treasures" Federal Grants, the innovative federal partnership
Funds that assure preservation of the U.S.' irreplaceable and
endangered buildings and collections.

The old Air Service Hangar, Bellanca Airfield
Rte 273, New Castle, DE 19720 has been given a significant
restoration grant.

Announcing the grant were Senators Joseph Biden and Tom Carper at a special reception and press conference at the hangar on Thursday, January 13th.

We all feel very confident in approaching our restoration campaign after hearing the good news that New Castle's Bellanca Airfield Hangar will share in "Save America's Treasures" Federal Grants.

We had a reception on Thursday. Friends of Bellanca are very pleased to report we had over 175 guests attending, in good part to see and hear Senators’ Joseph Biden and Tom Carper announce the grant award.

Maj. Gen. Vavala-DNG, Col. Pray-DAFB, CAP officals, as well as other State, County, and City officials and local townspeople attended and enjoyed the event. The great turnout is indeed an indicator of the popularity and enthusiasm for this restoration project of the last remaining relic of Bellanca Aircraft Corporation and Bellanca Airfield.

Local Group to Restore Bellanca Field Hangar

December 2004

New Castle, DE - A classic circa 1935 hangar, the last remaining structure of the Bellanca Airfield in New Castle, DE is located on route 273 at Centerpoint Boulevard and is owned by the Trustees of the New Castle Common. A concerned group, Friends of Bellanca Airfield,, Inc. has been formed to preserve the original Bellanca Field hangar. The volunteer group, composed of individuals with background and knowledge of local history, aviation or architecture, is working in close cooperation with the Trustees and is pursuing readaptive uses for the structure.

Wilmington preservation consultants and members of the Society of Industrial Archeology recently conducted a Structural Analysis of the hangar and concluded it is in very good structural condition. This report will provide valuable data for discussions with potential groups interested in the utilization of the building.

Friends of Bellanca Airfield, stated that the group expect to complete pending studies regarding costs of restoration and adaptive uses soon, and will be actively pursuing membership and funding drives. Interested individuals may contact FOBA by email at contact@friendsofbellanca.org for more information or membership data.

Download a membership application here: MEMBER APPLICATION

Historical Marker Dedicated at Bellanca AIRField Site

October 2003

New Castle, DE - On October 9, 2003, The Friends of Bellanca and an enthusiastic crowd of well-wishers and supporters assembled to dedicate a new state historical marker celebrating the history of Bellanca Field and the 75th anniversary of its opening. On that day in 1928, a crowd of 30,000 people and more than 100 civilian and military aircraft joined in the festivities to welcome Bellanca and his company to Delaware.

Friends of Bellanca Airfield, Inc.

PO Box 267

New Castle, DE 19720-0267

Send comments about this web site to: webmaster@friendsofbellanca.org