Tulsa Air and Space Museum seeks $60,000 to acquire F-16 Thunderbird

The Tulsa Air and Space Museum launched a community fundraising effort in Tulsa to secure an aircraft. Museum leaders want to bring a historic jet to their facility before an upcoming national holiday. The organization needs $60,000 for the project.

Officials hope to bring a U.S. Air Force F-16 Thunderbird to the venue by Veterans Day on Nov. 11. The team started a campaign called the “$16 Challenge” to collect public gifts. Museum officials said the campaign will hit its target if 3,750 people give $16.

The facility plans to move the military aircraft between Nov. 8 and Nov. 10. Organizers set the final arrival date for Nov. 11. Leaders said raised cash will cover multiple stages of the transfer.

The money will pay for four steps:

• Disassembly of the plane
• Transportation
• Reassembly
• Installation at the museum

The jet flew with the demonstration team during the 2006 air show season. The museum said the permanent exhibit will honor Tulsa airmen from the 138th Fighter Wing. Those service members flew and maintained the aircraft type for three decades. The display will also honor Oklahoma astronaut William R. Pogue, who flew as a Thunderbird pilot.

The venue preserves regional aviation history and displays vintage flight technology in Tulsa. Museums regularly rely on private donations to cover the cost of moving historic military hardware.

Community members can join the challenge by donating directly through the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. Donations help fund the arrival. The aircraft remains scheduled to arrive in November.