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 Zoo
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
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
The museum was formerly at MCAS Miramar in San Diego CA. In 2021 the museum was closed to the public. The aircraft were going to be relocated to other museums around the country. In 2022 we were contacted to look at the museum and give a quote to relocate the entire museum.
The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum along with the city of Irvine CA got together and found a location suitable for all the aircraft and the artifacts. The location is formerly known as MCAS El Toro in Orange County. The base was closed in 1999 and to this day still has 2 of the aircraft hangers on site.
In 2024 we began disassembly of 41 aircraft and throughout the year we were tasked with relocating the aircraft to former El Toro hangers. The movement took months of planning and logistic work to get the aircraft ready for transport. The transported aircraft ranged from legal, oversized, and super (VAR) loads which required CHP escort.
The new museum will later be located about 100 yards from the current hangers and is planning to be open in 2026 to the public. The aircraft are currently being restored to museum condition after being outside for years.
