COMPANY HISTORY

Worldwide Aircraft Recovery was started in Rockford, Illinois in 1987 by Ben Nattrass. Ben got the idea to move aircraft after he was asked to transport a small aircraft from the Rockford Airport in his enclosed refer trailer. From that idea Worldwide Aircraft Recovery was born and after building a reputation of moving civilian and military aircraft Ben and Worldwide Aircraft Recovery was ready for the next step. In 1996 Ben and his team were tasked with what could be called the biggest aircraft relocation project they have done. The Strategic Air Command (S.A.C) museum was ready to relocate to their own facility and open to the public. After successfully relocating the S.A.C museum Ben decided to relocate Worldwide to a more centralized location in Bellevue, NE.

From 1987 to 2023 the team from Worldwide Aircraft has successfully relocated thousands of civilian and military aircraft. WWAR has successfully moved 6 A-12s and 8 SR-71s, one of which is the only SR-71 suspended from the ceiling Richmond, Virginia. We have relocated all types of aircraft ranging from F-16s to C-17s. If you have an aircraft you need relocated whether it be on the ground, a pole or suspended from a ceiling, Worldwide Aircraft Recovery is who you want to call. The aircraft that get relocated are for several places including city projects, civilian museums, military gate guards and trainers for the military. Either way WWAR takes pride in relocating aircraft for future generations to see and use. Some of these aircraft have a lot of history behind them. With history comes a great deal of care and when any aircraft is in our possession it is treated with the care and respect it deserves.

Ben & Donna Nattrass Circa 1992
Indiana National Guard Base

WHAT SETS US APART

Worldwide Aircraft is a full-service aircraft relocation company. We disassemble, transport and reassemble aircraft worldwide. Worldwide Aircraft has experience with all types of aircraft. We have relocated aircraft from priceless vintage (Douglas World Cruiser) to modern jets (F-15’s, B-1, X-35JSF). We have extensive experience moving aircraft for warbird owners, museum collections, and the military. Worldwide Aircraft is the ONLY aircraft recovery company that performs all phases of the relocation in-house. The individuals who disassemble your aircraft are the same people who transport and reassemble.

Some of The Over 600 Organizations We Have Worked

  • National Warplane Museum – Elmira, NY
  • San Diego Air & Space Museum – San Diego, CA
  • Huntsville Space & Rocket Center – Huntsville, AL
  • NASA – Houston, TX
  • Air Force Armament Museum – Eglin AFB, FL
  • EAA – Oshkosh, WI
  • Columbia Helicopters, Inc. – Aurora, OR
  • Brazilian Aeronautical Commission – Washington, D.C.
  • Fantasy of Flight – Polk City, FL
  • USAF Museum – Dayton, OH
  • Beach Aircraft Corporation
  • U.S. Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs, CO
  • Air & Space Museum – Washington, D.C.
  • Virginia Aviation Museum – Richmond, VA