Let’s Get Specific (What I need)

(This Post is retroactive - original date of publication was june 13, 2026)

McDonnell 220 Update

Over the last 48 hours, my original post about the world’s first business jet prototype being at risk of the scrapyard has attracted a surprising amount of attention. I wanted to provide an update on where things stand and ask for your help (not your money).

Since making that post, I have made contact with several people who have extensive experience in historic aircraft preservation, aviation history, and transportation logistics. Together, we’ve started identifying the major obstacles to preserving this airplane.

The good news is that none of those obstacles appear insurmountable. The challenge now is solving them one at a time.

The Biggest Question

The single largest technical question is how the wing structure attaches to the fuselage and what level of disassembly is possible for transportation.

If the wings and tail can be removed conventionally, moving the aircraft becomes dramatically simpler and more affordable. Finding documentation that answers this question is currently my highest priority.

What I’m Looking For

Technical Documentation

* Engineering drawings

* Maintenance manuals

* Structural repair manuals

* Parts catalogs

* Service manuals

* Any other technical documentation relating to the McDonnell 119/220

People Connected to the Aircraft

* Former McDonnell Aircraft employees

* Former McDonnell Douglas employees

* Boeing employees or retirees familiar with the program

* Anyone who has owned, flown, maintained, inspected, transported, or researched the aircraft

A contact for the aircraft’s former owner, Floatron Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona, would be especially valuable.

Historical Material

* Photographs

* Articles

* Reports

* Company publications

* Flight test information

* Archival material of any kind

I’ve already searched several online archives, including University of Washington collections and Boeing historical resources, without much success. I’ve also reached out to several archives and organizations that may have relevant records, but at this stage even a good lead or educated guess could be helpful.

Transportation and Preservation Expertise

* Heavy-haul transportation

* Rigging and crane operations

* Aircraft recovery

* Museum preservation

I have already spoken with one individual experienced in oversized-load transportation. While they are not in a position to assist directly, they felt that the project appears feasible at first glance—provided the aircraft can be properly disassembled.

Previous Preservation Efforts

* Information about any previous attempts to preserve the aircraft

* Individuals or organizations that have evaluated it in the past

* Existing transportation studies or technical evaluations

How You Can Help

If you have information, documents, photographs, contacts, expertise, or even a promising lead, please send me a message.

Every lead helps.

Let’s solve enough of these problems to Save The ’220.

I now have a proper email address for this project. Please send all information and resources you may have to info@savethe220.org

Thank you all!