 It was hoped that the Air Force would guard the plane but , lacking hangar space , it was left outdoors on a remote part of the air base , exposed to the elements . Souvenir hunters broke in and removed parts . Insects and birds then gained access to the aircraft . Paul E. Garber , the first head of the National Air Museum of the Smithsonian Institution , became concerned about the Enola Gay 's condition , and on 10 August 1960 , Smithsonian staff began dismantling the aircraft . The components were transported to the Smithsonian storage facility at Suitland , Maryland , on 21 July 1961 . 
