OUR STORY
Worldwide Aircraft Recovery was started in Rockford, Illinois in 1987 by Ben Nattrass. Ben got the idea to move aircrafts as a business after he was asked to transport a small aircraft from the Rockford Airport in his enclosed refer trailer. Since it’s found in 1987 the team from WWAR has successfully relocated thousands of civilian and military aircraft.
Worldwide Aircraft is the ONLY aircraft recovery company that performs all phases of the relocation in-house. The individuals who disassemble your aircraft are the same people who transport and reassemble.
Founder Ben Nattrass Circa 2003
Kalamazoo Air Museum
OUR SERVICES
AIRCRAFT DISASSEMBLY & RE-ASSEMBLY
Our team of experts will disassemble the aircraft to a suitable dimension to be transported. After we deliver the aircraft the same team that disassembled will begin reassembly.
AIRCRAFT PACKAGING & TRANSPORT
We disassemble each panel and part that needs to be removed, placing each piece in protective wrap and crates to prevent damage. We safely transport the load following all laws & regulations.
OVERSEAS RECOVERY & SHIPMENT
As logistic professionals we will coordinate with overseas shipping companies to safely transport the aircraft to the destination. Once the aircraft is delivered our team would arrive and begin reassembly.
PYLON/PEDESTAL DISPLAY MOUNTING
With onsite fabrication capabilities we can mount your aircraft on ground static display stands, pylon mount or ceiling suspension.
OUR CURRENT PROJECT
F-18
This F/A-18C was disassembled and loaded onto a C-5 at NAS Pensacola FL and flown out to the Oakland International Airport in CA. The aircraft was then loaded onto a semi-truck and trailer at the airport and drove over to the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda CA. The aircraft was then reassembled on the pier and raised up to the ship by Biggie crane. The aircraft is now on display on the ship. The BuNo of this aircraft is 163502 and was 1 of 2 F/A-18 that had combat kills in Operation Desert Storm. Both aircraft have credit for shooting down Migs. This aircraft 163502 was piloted by Lt Nicholas “Mongo” Mongillo and served on the USS Saratoga (CV 60) at the time. Aircraft 163502 and 163508 both were credited with shooting down Iraqi Air Force Mig-21s on January 17th, 1991. This was the Only U.S. Navy air-to-air victories during the Gulf War.
