THE LIBERTY AVIATION MUSEUM--

This little jewel sits on the southeast corner of the Port Clinton airport and is a nearly brand-spanking new, spit and polish presentation of aviation memorabilia.

It's also a hangar with a small but world-class collection of historic airplanes and an aircraft factory, more or less, with a 50's era diner attached like a shiny and delectable accessory to its west side.

Tucked into a corner of the hangar a crew of aviation enthusiasts are building a brand new from the tires up, absolutely authentic to the original specifications, Ford Tri-Motor, 3-engine airplane.  That's it in the top photo just coming into almost recognizable form as volunteer Clarence Gilbert of Huron shares details of the effort with my ladyfriend Sue.

You may remember the Tri-Motor was long in commercial service from this very airport ferrying folks and goods between Port Clinton, the Bass Islands and their near-by companions in just off-shore Lake Erie.

I can clearly remember a bone shaking, airplane rattling, wind in the passenger's hair, Tri-Motor flight out to the islands to do a newspaper story on ice fishing those many years ago.

It's newest sibling will be a one-of-a-kind in the world, fully certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, airplane approved for modern flight service.  Already there are two highly experienced Tri-Motor pilots ready to put the incubating bird into action.

They currently are flying one of the few remaining, original Tri-Motor's still in service, this one in Michigan.

The construction crew includes only one paid member.  He is the boss who sees that all of the very, very specific requirements imposed by the FAA before this machine pops out of its mechanical birth canal are met with precision.

Gilbert smiles and shakes his head in near disbelief as he enthusiastically expresses his gratitude for this marvel of a workplace and financial support which promotes this project allowing the volunteers to proceed unburdened by a typically freezing cold, airplane hangar workplace, and worrying about how the next electric bill is going to be paid.

A now deceased Cleveland benefactor via his supportive agent and a generous foundation have built this facility and continue to make its operation possible.

Visitors enter an ultra-modern lobby with a delicious taste of an airport terminal of long ago.  The museum room is to the right of the folks at the admission counter.  The hangar is behind that and the diner is hiding behind the left wall in the small photo and is pictured below.

The Tin Goose Diner is an authentic one built in 1950 and operated for years as the Sunrise Diner in Jim Thorpe, PA.  It became a permanent part of the museum just this year.  All proceeds from the diner help fund the museum's operation.

No, it is not the Air Force Museum just down the road in Dayton but it is a pristine miniature and will repay you many times over it's modest $5 a head, admission price.