Portside Aircraft Elevator

Portside Aircraft Elevator. . , Intrepid had three massive elevators used for moving aircraft between the hangar deck and the flight deck. One was forward in the center of the deck. Another was located aft on the starboard (right) edge of the flight deck, and one was amidships on the port (left) edge of the ship. These elevators have been essentially inoperable since Intrepid was decommissioned in 1974., The portside aircraft elevator was returned to operation during the 2006-2008 restoration of the Museum. The effort began when Mr. Jack Rudin, Chairman of Rudin Management and a great Intrepid friend and supporter learned of the Museum's goal of restoring the elevator during a now-famous lunch at the Four Seasons Restaurant. Mr. Rudin was dining with the leaders of Otis Elevator Company, and the team at Otis stepped forward to undertake the challenges involved in bringing the outdated technology back into service. The cost of the work was generously underwritten by the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, and the work was completed when the Museum reopened in November 2008., Now fully operational, the portside aircraft elevator allows visitors to experience how Intrepid personal moved aircraft between decks and allows countless disabled visitors to move freely between Intrepid's decks., Intrepid Museum extends our warmest thanks to Jack Rudin and the entire Rudin family, Otis Elevator Company, and the Four Seasons Restaurant. Intrepid Museum is truly grateful to the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust for their pivotal role in restoring this piece of Intrepid history.