Fairchild A-10 “Warthog” Returning to Hagerstown for Permanent Display

Hagerstown, Maryland, will soon welcome a significant piece of its aviation history as a Fairchild-Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II, often known as the “Warthog,” makes its way back to the community for permanent public display. The aircraft, tail number 79-0087, is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force and is slated to fly to its place of creation on September 22, 2025. This event marks a homecoming for a plane deeply connected to Hagerstown’s industrial and aviation past, and will be housed at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum.

The Fairchild Republic Company established a notable presence in Hagerstown, operating a primary aircraft manufacturing plant in the community since 1929. This plant was instrumental in the production of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, with the initial production deliveries commencing in October 1975. Fairchild held a Department of Defense contract for 727 A-10 aircraft, and by August 1983, the company had nearly completed its obligations under this contract. The subsequent phasedown of A-10 production contributed to the closure of Fairchild’s main aircraft plant in Hagerstown at the end of 1983, a move that resulted in over 1,000 employees losing their jobs. Earlier in August of that year, approximately 400 layoffs were attributed to the A-10 production slowdown, alongside Boeing’s recall of a subcontract for 757 aircraft work. Despite optimism regarding potential foreign sales of the A-10, Fairchild officials acknowledged the difficulties of restarting operations at a closed plant. While the main facility ceased operations, a smaller Fairchild facility nearby continued to function for bonding components, albeit with a substantially reduced workforce.

The Hagerstown Aviation Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing over a century of regional aviation history. Over its 29-year existence, the museum has cultivated the world’s largest collection of historic Fairchild aircraft. Its collection features more than 25 aircraft, including a 1919 Bellanca CE, a 1928 Kreider-Reisner KR-31, and various Fairchild models spanning from the 1930s through the 1950s. The museum’s archives have also grown significantly, now encompassing over ten thousand photographs, thousands of artifacts, models, personal items, films, and artworks.

The concept for the aviation museum emerged in 1995 during the Fairchild Homecoming Air Show, an event that celebrated historic Fairchild aircraft and the individuals who built them. The show included engineers, assembly line workers, and many World War II “Rosie the Riveters,” with a display of Fairchild photos, models, and films sparking the initial idea for a museum. This enthusiasm led Richard Henson, Kent Mitchell, John Seburn, and Kurtis Meyers to formally establish the museum as a non-profit organization in 1996.

For many years, the museum operated without a dedicated facility, holding numerous outdoor events at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. The annual “Wings & Wheels Expo” consistently drew thousands of visitors and featured the museum’s collection, along with opportunities for rides in a Fairchild PT-19 aircraft, offering a glimpse into World War Two pilot training. A significant development occurred on September 27, 2020, when the museum secured a lease for the 1943 Fairchild Aircraft Flight Test Hangar, commonly known as the Dome Hangar. This lease agreement, which included an option to purchase, helped safeguard the historic structure from potential demolition. Volunteers began the extensive work of preparing the long-unoccupied hangar for the museum’s needs shortly after the lease was signed.

The museum’s long-held aspiration to make the Dome Hangar its permanent home was significantly advanced in February 2022. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan visited the Hagerstown Aviation Museum, surveying its current work, collection, and future plans. Following this visit, the museum received $5 million in funding from the State of Maryland, enabling the purchase of the Dome Hangar, a restoration shop, an annex building, and approximately 8 acres of ramp space for housing its collection and hosting events. The Hagerstown Aviation Museum officially opened its doors to the public on December 8, 2023, marking a major milestone after years of searching for a permanent home. The organization is currently undertaking a Capital Campaign to fund ongoing renovations, which will include the expansion of exhibit areas, the development of classrooms, and the creation of an “Aviation Factory Experience” featuring interactive STEM displays.

The welcoming home of an A-10 Warthog will be a much celebrated event for the museum, representative a goal of the museum for many years, and an aspiration of many local residents.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from the Hagerstown Aviation Museum, the USAF, Military.com, and the the 1983 article on Fairchild’s closure from the Washington Post

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