For Russell Magnussen, there is no place like the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
The New Britain native worked as a mechanic his entire life. His love for flying began many decades earlier. He obtained a pilot’s license at the tender age of 16. In his retirement, he spent 15 years as a tour guide at the museum, sharing his knowledge and love for the field.
But ask him to tell you one of his greatest accomplishments, and he will likely respond that it was his work restoring the Goodyear blimp to its World War II glory. This was the blimp that escorted American cargo ships to England, bringing necessary supplies that would help the war effort – but it almost went to the scrap heap.
Russell spent 23 years rebuilding the blimp, and recently had a chance to share his passion for fine antique aircraft with his neighbors from Hartford HealthCare’s Mulberry Gardens, 12 of whom joined him on a field trip to see the kinds of pieces that have always fascinated Russell.
The field trip was the idea of Mulberry Gardens’ activities director, Donna Johnson. She wanted to celebrate what he had done, so she organized this special tour.
“We were so impressed. We couldn’t keep this a secret. We were in awe,” Johnson said.