Huge warbird fleet finds new owner

The extensive Flying Heritage collection assembled by the late Paul Allen has been acquired by Steuart Walton, a director of US retail giant Walmart.

It’s been reported that the considerable assets within the Everett, Washington-based fleet are being prepared for transportation to a new home.

A few of the late Paul Allen’s warbirds, with Mustang 44-72364 Upupa Epops in the foreground.
A few of the late Paul Allen’s warbirds, with Mustang 44-72364 Upupa Epops in the foreground. EAA

Since the Microsoft co-founder died on October 15, 2018, the future of his Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum (FHCAM) has been in doubt, with a large number of its restoration projects listed for sale. Although work had continued at a reduced pace following Paul’s passing, the museum closed its doors in May 2020 as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

The collection’s new owner is an established historic aviation enthusiast. Steuart already flies and owns several P-51 Mustangs as well as Vought (Goodyear) F2G-1 Corsair Race 57 NX5588N. The FHCAM featured numerous warbirds and several mouth-watering restoration projects, including a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, Messerschmitt Me 262, Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik, a ‘long nose’ Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-13, and the only surviving Fw 189.