MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Over the next few weeks, Heritage Hill will gain eight new static aircraft as part of a large expansion project on the lot behind the Evergreen Inn.

A C-47 Skytrain, F-86 Sabre, A-10 Thunderbolt, F-15 Eagle, F-101 Voodoo, F-106 Delta Dart, F-102 Delta Dagger and T-33 Shooting Star will join the B-23 Dragon and C-82 Packet that have been at the lot for the last couple of weeks.

"The expansion project will give people a good idea of what we started with and how we got to having the C-17 Globemaster III at McChord," said McChord Air Museum curator Ray Jordan, 62nd Airlift Wing.

Though the project has been in the works for years, current base leadership has been very instrumental in making the project a reality, he said.

"This project highlights an important part of McChord -- our history," said Col. Jerry Martinez, 62nd AW commander. "I was honored to approve this wonderful tribute to McChord's heritage."

There are plans to expand Heritage Hill in the future by adding a SA-10A Catalina, a sea and air rescue plane that used to be based here and a C-130 Hercules, the cargo transport plane that flew out of McChord before the C-17, Mr. Jordan said.

There are also plans to enhance the area by adding sidewalks, ground lighting, benches, a water fountain and plaques detailing the history of each aircraft, and the role it played at McChord, he said.

Mr. Jordan said he hopes to have all the aircraft and new infrastructure in place by June 1.