Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Indy Transponder 31-December 2300z

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Air Force Thunderbirds schedule Branson in 2009 - Branson Courier, United States
by Gary Groman aka The Ole Seagull It's official, the US Air Force Thunderbirds will be performing in Branson on May 9 through May 10, 2009. On Dec. ...

Evans fly-in touted to be best yet - Lismore Northern Star, Australia
Unlimited Australian champ Tom Moon will show off his Extra 300S while Matt Hall, a competitor in the Red Bull Air Race will show us mere mortals how to ...

Ask The Air Racer: Matt Hall - Bleacher Report
by Sheiban Shakeri (Columnist) To start 2009 off over here at the Red Bull Air Race section on Bleacher Report, I will be interviewing the Australian Red Bull Air Race Rookie Matt Hall. Matt is a decorated Top Gun in the Royal Australian Air Force and ...

Polish cash bid to give city plane its wings - Lincolnshire Echo, UK
The Germans then repaired his aircraft and flew it until the end of the war when it was taken to Berlin and exhibited in an air museum. ...

Black Aviators Deserve Honor at Inauguration - Lynchburg News and Advance, VA
He was an aviator and member of the US Army Air Corps. He was a civil rights leader way before that term became popular in the 1950s. ...

Teasers from Aeroplane Monthly News
Manufacturing the De Havilland Mosquito..... from Theo Spark by Theo [video]

Scientist skippered 1970s Mars landers program - Denver Post, CO
He was a B-17 pilot during World War II. While a senior at MIT, he met Dorothy Ann Williams, and they were married 60 years ago. She survives him. ...

Airport Berlin Tempelhof closed for ever... from Military Photos by T.S.C.Plage
The 30th October 2008 was a sad day for Berlin and aviation history in general. The Berlin City Airport Tempelhof closed it's gates for ever. The airport mostly known for the "Big Airlift" that took place shortly after WWII existed over 85 years and was closed by decision of the Berlin senate against the will of the population because it's not considered cost effective anymore. One of the main thoughts behind the decision is to force

Chasing the Dream | By Eric Van Gilder from www.blurb.com
This book is a journal of my aviation photography for the calendar year 2008. It's been a fantastic year for me being able to capture some rare aircraft in some rare moments. I have also had a wonderful opportunity to fly in some classic warbirds and experience flying in them as others have before me.

Milestones of Flight: 12/31 from Cut and Paste Aviation by KenInfinite

Jepson music show to swing again - TheReporter.com, CA
The concert program, held within view of restored World War II "warbirds," will feature 100 middle school students who perform music, skits and monologues ...

'Space Rose' Adds New Year's Parade to 5.3 Million Mile Journey from SPACE.com
A 'space rose' will add the New Year's Day Rose Parade to its 5.3 million mile trek.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 is fully integrated from Dick's Rocket Dungeon by Dick
Yesterday, SpaceX completed integration of their Falcon 9 at Cape Canaveral. They are understandably excited and hope to have a full erection early in 2009. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.*) I didn't see when the launch is currently scheduled but it should also happen early in the year. I'd like a better close up of the business end. I also hope they have a pad-cam! ...

First Falcon 9 now fully assembled at the Cape from RLV and Space Transport News
SpaceX has achieved its goal of a fully integrated Falcon 9 at Cape Canaveral before the end of the year: "Falcon 9 is now fully integrated at the Cape! Today we mated the 5.2 m payload fairing to the Falcon 9 first stage (see below). This was the final step in the integration process—one day ahead of schedule. ..."

Bishop Aviation Air Show 2009 from Fence Check
Bishop Aviation Air Show 2009
North Vernon
Indiana
United States
06/20/09
http://www.davidbishopaviation.com/airshow.htm

David Wolf Interviewed on The Bob and Tom Show - Examiner.com
by Mary Beth Ellis, Space Exploration Examiner Astronaut Dr. David Wolf recently appeared on the TV version of The Bob and Tom Show, which airs five days a ...

Rolls-Royce Secures More Defense Work from Headlines - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick
Indianapolis-based Rolls-Royce Corp. is being awarded a $221 million contract modification to perform work for the U.S. Navy. The contract deals with MV-22 and CV-22 engines and one year of support services. The work will be performed at the company's Indianapolis facility.

Maybe Next Year from Neptunus Lex by lex
The best aviation-related New Year's Eve Party venue? from Flight Image of the Day by Michael

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The Museum of Flight: Happy New Year!

Great Gallery Banner 


Greetings!,

 


It's a busy week here at The Museum of Flight! The annual Blackbird Tip-to-Tail tours continue through Sunday, Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Even if you think you know the Blackbird story well, you are sure to learn something new among the astounding facts and figures the docents share.

 

Thursday, Jan. 1 the Museum stays open late for Wells Fargo Free First Thursday. From 5 - 9 p.m., enjoy the Great Gallery, Personal Courage Wing, Space: Exploring the New Frontier exhibit, flight simulators and more--for free! The Museum Store and Wings Cafe will also remain open for the extended hours on this night.

 

Finally, Sunday, Jan. 4 is your last chance to see Harmony of the Universe: The Art of Toshiro Sawanuki in the Great Gallery. The Museum's new temporary exhibit, The Berlin Airlift--A Legacy of Friendship opens in the Great Gallery on Saturday, Jan. 10.

 


Dream, Discover, Soar!

  

Sincerely,
The Museum of Flight

 

December 2008

DECEMBER 2008 
 
blackbirdBLACKBIRD TIP-TO-TAIL TOURS

Friday, Dec. 26 - Sunday, Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily


Still the fastest piloted jet the world has ever seen some four decades after its first flights, the Lockheed Blackbird continues to fascinate and amaze. And so do the Museum's wonderfully knowledgeable docents! Continuing a holiday tradition, the docents pull out all the stops for their special Tip-to-Tail Tours of the Museum's unique M/D-21 Blackbird and Drone. Even if you think you know the Blackbird story well, you are sure to learn something new among the astounding facts and figures the docents share. 
 

 

January 2009

JANUARY 2009

WELLS FARGO FREE FIRST THURSDAY 

Thursday, Jan. 1, 5 - 9 p.m.

 

Once a month, the Museum stays open late--for free! Enjoy the Museum's Great Gallery, Personal Courage Wing, Space: Exploring the New Frontier exhibit, flight simulators and more from 5 - 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. Museum Store and Wings Café will also remain open for the extended hours on this night.

 

BANK OF AMERICA WEEKEND FAMILY WORKSHOP: SPACE STATIONS: A HOME IN THE SKY!
Saturdays and Sundays, Jan. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

 

Since the 19th century, scientists and writers have dreamed of an outpost in space orbiting the Earth, where people could live and work. Learn about space station design, then build your own space station model!
 
Berlin AirliftTHE BERLIN AIRLIFT--A LEGACY OF FRIENDSHIP

Saturday, Jan. 10, Great Gallery


On view for one month, this exhibit honors the 60th anniversary of the humanitarian effort commonly known as The Berlin Airlift.  


The exhibit is presented in part by The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Washington, D.C. The Museum is one of only a few places this exhibit can be seen during its year-long tour of the United States. 

 

PAPPY BOYINGTON FIELD: A DOCUMENTARY FILM BY KEVIN GONZALEZ

Saturday, Jan. 10 and Sunday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m. each day, William M. Allen Theater


"Pappy Boyington Field - A Campaign to Honor a Hero" tells a story surrounding the controversy in paying tribute to a hometown hero by changing the name of the local airport. The town is Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and the hero is World War II Marine fighter ace, "Pappy" Boyington. Filmmaker Kevin Gonzalez will be on hand to introduce the film and to answer any questions during both screenings.

AMERICAN FIGHTER ACES PANEL: US ARMY AIR FORCE ACES OVER EUROPE

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2 p.m., William M. Allen Theater

 

Join the Museum as we honor a panel of WWII Aces who flew over Europe:
Maj. William H. "Bill" Allen flew P-38 Lightnings and P-51 Mustangs during the war. Hear how he became an "ace in a day."
Maj. Frank McCauley, credited with 5 ½ aerial victories, flew the P-47 Thunderbolt and completed 46 fighter missions over Germany.
1st Lt. George P. Novotny was credited with three confirmed aerial victories flying in the P-40 Warhawk with the 325th "Checkertail" FG while in Africa in May, 1943. In December he was transferred to Italy and flew the P-47 Thunderbolt, gaining five more aerial victories.
 
TIP-TO-TAIL TOUR: THE DOUGLAS DC-3
Sunday, Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Great Gallery

 

Docent Dr. Dieter M. Zube will present the role of the military C-47 and the civilian DC-3 in the Berlin Airlift. Zube's Father was involved in the Airlift operation. 
 
ASTRONOMER DR. DON BROWNLEE AND THE STARDUST MISSION 

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2 p.m., William M. Allen Theater

  

On Jan. 2, 2004, NASA's Stardust spacecraft flew through the coma of Comet Wild 2 and collected approximately 1 million bits of dust from the comet. Two years later it flew back past Earth and dropped a capsule of comet dust samples that landed on the Utah desert. These are the first extraterrestrial samples returned to Earth since the 1970s and the first from beyond the Moon. This little comet dust bin has revolutionized our understanding of these cosmic building blocks. Stardust Principal Investigator Don Brownlee will share the details of this exciting mission and what it has shown us about the formation of our Solar System.

Saturday, Jan. 31, 2 p.m., William M. Allen Theater

 

In conjunction with the Museum's temporary exhibit celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, author Andrei Cherny will talk about his popular book on the subject, The Candy Bombers.  Bringing together newly unclassified documents, unpublished letters and diaries, and fresh primary interviews, Cherny tells the tale of the ill-assorted group of castoffs and second-stringers who not only saved millions of desperate people from a dire threat, but changed how the world viewed the United States - setting in motion the chain of events that would ultimately lead to the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and America's victory in the Cold War. 

 

NASA ASTRONAUT REMEMBRANCE WEEKEND
Saturday, Jan. 31 and Sunday, Feb. 1

 

The Museum remembers the fallen astronauts of Apollo 1 and Space Shuttles STS-51-L Challenger and STS-107 Columbia during the anniversary of the tragedies. Special remembrance exhibits include the display of the panels highlighting the lives of each of the 17 astronauts. There will also be a special display of personal memorabilia from Washington State resident and Columbia pilot Willie McCool.
 
BANK OF AMERICA WEEKEND FAMILY WORKSHOP: BADGE OF HONOR: REMEMBERING THE CREWS OF APOLLO 1, STS-51-L CHALLENGER AND STS-107 COLUMBIA.
Saturday, Jan. 31 and Sunday, Feb. 1 at 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

 

Learn about the history of space mission patches. Then make your own space mission button honoring the American astronauts who have given their lives to advance the progress of space travel.

 

February 2009

FEBRUARY 2008

NASA ASTRONAUT REMEMBRANCE WEEKEND LECTURE: DR. BONNIE J. DUNBAR

Sunday, Feb. 1, 2 p.m., William M. Allen Theater

 

In honor of NASA Astronaut Remembrance Weekend and in conjunction with the Friends Always: The Berlin Airlift--A Legacy of Friendship exhibition, Dr. Dunbar will give a presentation on her first space flight experience; STS-61-A Challenger--the West German D-1 Spacelab Mission.  

Scheduled Events

DECEMBER 2008 EVENTS

JANUARY 2009 EVENTS

FEBRUARY 2009 EVENTS

 

Candy Bombers Book
DC3

 Snoopy ClockPappy BoyingtonFlag

Stardust

NASA logo 

dunbar photoSawanuki Exhibit

 

 

The Museum of Flight
CONTACT INFORMATION

The Museum of Flight
206.764.5720

Membership
206.764.5711, email

Volunteering
206.768.7179, email

Giving
206.768.7162, email

Education
206.768.7116,  email

Museum Store
206.764.5704

 

Find us on Facebook

 

Indy Transponder 31-December 0030z

Thunderbirds release 2009 air show schedule from Air Force Link Top Stories
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds," has announced its 2009 air show schedule. In their 56th season, the Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform more than 73 shows in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Far East. ...

EAA Announces Tentative AirVenture 2009 Show Lineup - Aero-News Network, FL
Yearly favorites such as Sean D. Tucker, Mike Goulian, the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, and the Warbird Spectaculars will be part of the schedule as well. ...
More Details here
Air show returns to Sioux Falls | KXNet.com North Dakota News - KXMC, ND
... F-16 fighter jets; a P-51 Mustang gunfighter; Miss Mitchell, one of the few remaining B-25 bombers still in the air; and other aircraft. ...

Barrow man aims to put on new Walney Air Show - NW Evening Mail
A PLANE enthusiast plans to revive the Wings Over Walney Air Show next year - if he can raise £50000. Paul Rose, who is head of the local air cadets and owns his own plane, ran the successful air show for the first time with BAE in 2005.

Ladies! Want to learn to fly? Don't have the money from You Fly, Girl by Cathy Gale
Watch this video from Women in Aviation International - they award scholarships for women who want to fly:

Carrier? from www.airshowbuzz.com
I thumbed through my copy of We Rode The Thunder, here's a brief history of Thunderbird transports:
In 1955, the first transport acquired by the team was a C-119F Flying Boxcar. By 1958, it was replaced by two C-123Bs.

Luke pilot reaches F-16 milestone from Air Force Link Top Stories
In January 1979, the first operational F-16 Fighting Falcon was delivered to Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Nearly 30 years later to the day, a pilot from here has amassed 4,000 hours flying this workhorse of the air.
Col. David Lujan, 56th Operations Group deputy commander, became the 17th pilot, according to Lockheed's magazine, "Code One," ever to reach that milestone when he flew this memorable sortie Dec. 22. ...

Military museum to update history - Montgomery Advertiser, AL
The ball turret gunner tried to land a badly damaged B-17 during an ill-fated bombing mission over Europe in 1944. Although he was injured and most of the ...

Pilot from Saturday's crash released from hospital from www.naplesnews.com (via AAFO)
... Ron Buccarelli, a 51-year-old Hollywood man, was injured after his 1959 Beechcraft E18S crashed into a wooded area just outside the airport. He was the sole occupant of the plane, and he was conscious after the accident, despite suffering some head trauma, officials said on Saturday. ... Buccarelli, a long-time air racer who is lauded across the Internet for reaching speeds above 400 miles per hour in his P-51D Mustang, "Precious Metal," retired from the sport only a few years ago.
[photo from flickr: Don & Brenda]

1947 National Air Races from www.airrace.com
The 3-day 1947 National Air Race's at Cleveland attracted an unprecedented 104 entriescompeting for a total purse of $125,000 ... new was the Allison Race to Indianapolis and back. Fred Crawford, president of the National Air Races said in an interview "Cleveland will be the most exciting spot on earth this weekend"

Mach Match - Air & Space Magazine
Did an XP-86 beat Yeager to the punch?
Editors' note: October 14, 1947, was a day of undercover celebration at the Muroc Army Air Field in California's Mojave Desert. Captain Chuck Yeager had broken the so-called sound barrier in the experimental Bell XS-1, and the news was immediately locked away in the vaults of the newly independent U.S. Air Force and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Although the X-1 program was classified and there were no independent observers, Yeager was able to claim an official record because all airspeed, Mach number, pressure, and temperature data from test flights were tracked, recorded, and documented. Such documentation, like that produced by the Wright brothers, who painstakingly recorded all details of their flights, ensures an unassailable place in history. ...

Tuskegee Airman gets help to attend inaugural from Air Force Times - News
DULUTH, Minn.| Residents of Duluth are stepping up to help a member of the Tuskegee Airmen who was invited to attend Barack Obama's inauguration but didn't know if he could afford the trip.

Mike's Mystery Machines. # 06. "The Fleet Shadowers" from AeroHub by admin
...Two years prior to the outbreak of WWII in Europe, the Admiralty issued Specification S.23/37 which outlined a requirement for a very specialised carrier-borne aircraft. This was at a time when the concept of fast, long-range, land-plane, patrol and attack aircraft, carrying Air-to-Surface (ASV) radar, was only a vague future concept. What the Royal Navy planners wanted was an aircraft which could operate from small aircraft carriers and which had long endurance at very slow airspeed. It must have folding wings for under-deck stowage and be crewed by one pilot, an observer and a wireless operator. It would operate at night and must have quiet engines and propellers to minimise detection when operating at lowish altitude out abeam of, or downwind from, enemy ships. It was to be a stealthy, unarmed "Fleet Shadower"; sometimes referred to as the "Night Shadower". All rather 'mysterious' and exciting at the time. ...

What's it like to solo? from Earning My Wings: a video blog about learning to fly by Brady Lane
... I've been told a pilot's first solo is an experience that's never forgotten. As a small child, I remember my grandfather telling me about his first solo flight in a Stearman and knew even back then how memorable and momentous such a flight is. ...

Universe Getting Smaller As VirginMotherShip Proves Her Stuff from Airpigz Blog by Martt Clupper
Her name is Eve, she has a 140' wingspan, and now, she flies. On Sunday, 12-21-08, Scaled Composites' VirginMotherShip, also known as WhiteKnightTwo, became the largest all composite aircraft to fly. ...
AirPigz Podcast #1 Airfoil Designer John Roncz from Airpigz Blog by Martt Clupper

Some Year-End Mop-Up from Steve's AirVenture Site Updates by EAA Staff
The Christmas break came at exactly the right time last week. Over the course of four days, it snowed twice, rained hard for one day, and then came ice and snow before it turned colder again. We got a little break early this week, though, so work can continue. ...

2008 A look back of the years delights from Warbirdworld by WireFox
... Talking Mustangs still , I could not miss a word about the Mustang of Mr M Hammond at Hardwick of which I was lucky enough to see fly on two of the Hardwick open-days. The craftsmanship on this restoration is 110% and was a delight to see which is still on this blogsite
further down from this post of which you can hear that Merlin again. Tom Blairs new-build Fw 190 still did not fly this year due to the CAA and their endless 'paperwork' we all hoped to get a look at it in the air this year but it was not to be. We may not get the chance now has I understand that Mr Blair has sold a Spitfire and P-38 of his collection and wonders if more will depart. Anyway thats his 'shout' he can do what he sees fit to do. ...

From the 'Not A Good Idea' department . . .from Bayou Renaissance Man by Peter
. . . we have this story of corporate re-branding gone awry. ...Unfortunately, it then put the logo and its new name rather too close together on its aircraft. This caused speakers of English-English (as opposed to American-English, where the term isn't common) to do a double-take before they burst into raucous laughter. You see, in English-English, the two in combination appear to form a rather unfortunate word.

The Long Countdown for Apollo 2.0 from DailyAviator by Dennis Collins
The NYTimes covers the ongoing discussions between the incoming Obama administration and NASA.

Milestones of Flight: 12/30 from Cut and Paste Aviation by KenInfinite

Glacier Girl and Miss Velma make a pass on Flickr - Photo Sharing! from Google
1930s air racer "Mr Mulligan" replica from Fence Check
Stearman's from Fence Check
T-6 / SNJ / Texan / Harvard from Fence Check
Round trip with Endeavour - The Big Picture from www.boston.com

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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

OSHKOSH AIRVENTURE EARLY LINEUP

For more information contact: Dick Knapinski, Media and Public Relations (920) 426-6523 dknapinski@eaa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


'WOMEN FLY' LINEUP AMONG EARLY AIR SHOW CONFIRMATIONS FOR EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2009

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (Dec. 30, 2008) - Many of the world's top air show performers have already given early confirmations to participate at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration," on July 27-August 2 at Wittman Regional Airport.

Among the early confirmations are more than a dozen women who will participate in special "Women Fly" air show activities on Friday, July 31, and Sunday, August 2. Other invited performers include those with Canadian ties or aircraft to honor 100 years of aviation in Canada.

In addition, second-generation air show standouts Matt Younkin and Kyle Franklin will be appearing at AirVenture, as well as the Red Bull aerobatic helicopter, which made a spectacular debut at Oshkosh in 2008. Yearly favorites such as Sean D. Tucker, Mike Goulian, the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, and the Warbird Spectaculars will be part of the schedule as well.

"Each of these performers work as a headline act at air shows throughout the country, but they come together at EAA AirVenture to make an all-star roster of the 'best of the best,'" said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman, who flew as a member of the renowned Eagles Aerobatic Team. "Air show performers are eager to fly at Oshkosh because it represents a major achievement in their careers, flying in front of the most knowledgeable and appreciative audiences on the air show circuit. Look for even more top performers to be added to the list in early 2009."

The afternoon air show is an anticipated spectacle each day at EAA AirVenture, providing an exciting way to round out to a full day on the Oshkosh flight line. In 2009, the best elements of the daily air show and the "showcase" flying from previous years will be combined to provide several hours of exciting and entertaining aerial entertainment.

Exact daily performance schedules will be finalized in the weeks prior to EAA AirVenture and will be announced through the event's extensive website at
www.airventure.org.

"Each afternoon's showcase and air show create a daily attraction that simply cannot be seen anywhere else but EAA AirVenture," Poberezny said. "Oshkosh is the place where the airplanes, people and innovations come together each year in aviation's family reunion."

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA's yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket purchase, is available online at
www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org.

PERFORMERS CONFIRMED FOR EAA AIRVENTURE 2009 (as of 12/30/2008 - more will be added and the list is subject to change without notice)

Chuck Aaron / Red Bull Helicopter
AeroShell Team / T-6s
Melissa Andrzejewski / Edge
Herb Baker / T-28
Bob Carlton / Jet Sailplane
Matt Chapman / CAP 231
Chandy Clanton / Edge 540
Julie Clark / T-34
Collaborators / Modified Pitts, Edge 540, Extras
Susan Dacy / Stearman
Dave Dacy/Tony Kazian / Stearman Wingwalking
Kyle Franklin / Waco, Wingwalking act
Debbie Gary / Marchetti
Mike Goulian / Extra
Bud & Ross Granley / Yaks
Ed Hamill / Pitts
John Klatt / Stauduacher
Greg Koontz / Decathlon
Liberty Parachute Team / Skydiving
Jill Long / Pitts
Misty Blues / Skydiving
Steve Oliver / Chipmunk
Steve/Susan Oliver / Skywriting
Jim Peitz / Bonanza
Greg Poe / MX-2
Debbie Rihn-Harvey / CAP, Pitts
Gene Soucy / Showcat
Soucy/Teresa Stokes / Wingwalking
Bill Stein / Edge
Sean Tucker / Modified Pitts
Patty Wagstaff / Extra
Warbirds of America / Warbirds
Matt Younkin / Twin Beech

USAF Museum News: January 2009

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

 

News & Notes

January 2009

 

NMUSAF Aerial View

 

NASA astronaut appearance 

USAF Col. Gregory H. Johnson to visit on Jan. 22

Gregory H. JohnsonHear a first-hand account of life at the International Space Station from NASA astronaut Gregory H. Johnson at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22. Johnson was pilot of STS-123 Endeavour on March 11-26, 2008, which completed both launch and landing at night. It was the 25th Shuttle/Station assembly mission and was accomplished in 250 orbits of the Earth, traveling over 6 million miles in 15 days, 18 hours, 10 minutes and 54 seconds. Click here to learn more about this event.

 

 

State-of-the-art exhibit to open

'Warrior Airmen' features new technology

Warrior AirmenA new exhibit in the Cold War Gallery will feature emerging museum technology to engage visitors in the compelling stories of Air Force Airmen in Operations Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Iraqi Freedom. Sound and lighting effects, videos, interactive displays, dioramas and hundreds of artifacts will make visitors feel as if they are part of the storyline. Watch the museum's Web site for up-to-date information about this exciting new exhibit, opening to the public on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

 

 

Family event set for Jan. 17 

Learn about boomerangs this month

Family DayThe museum's popular monthly Family Day is scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17. This month, celebrate Australia Day by learning about one of the first known uses of the airfoil: boomerangs! Also, special guest Gary Broadbent will talk about the history, craft and competition of boomerangs, and visitors can participate in aviation-related demonstration stations, storytime and an Aerospace Adventure. Activities are located throughout the museum's galleries. Click here for more Family Day information.

 

 

Featured exhibit of the month

Sikorsky MH-53M Pave Low IV

MH-53MThe museum's MH-53M Pave Low IV helicopter (S/N 68-10357) is now on display in the Cold War Gallery, next to the new Warrior Airmen exhibit. This aircraft carried the command element during the mission to rescue American prisoners of war from the Son Tay prison camp near Hanoi, North Vietnam, in 1970. After Vietnam, it flew in many more combat engagements including Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After 38 years of service, its final flight was a combat mission in Iraq on March 28, 2008. Click here to learn more about the MH-53M.

 

This month in USAF history 

Jan. 13, 1962

XC-142AOn this date, the USAF's XC-142A Verticle/Short Takeoff and Landing (VSTOL) transport aircraft made a perfect first transition flight, taking off like a helicopter, adjusting its wings for conventional flight, and making a vertical landing. The only remaining XC-142A (one of five built) is on display in the Research and Development Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (Information provided by Air Force Historical Studies Office)

In this issue

NASA Astronaut

Warrior Airmen

Family Day

Featured Exhibit

USAF History

On the Radar

IMAX® Schedule

 

 

On the radar

Daily · USAF Heritage Tour

 

Jan. 1 · New Year's Day, museum closed

 

Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 · Behind the Scenes Tours

 
Jan. 13 · Warrior Airmen exhibit opens

 
Jan. 17 · Family Day

 
Jan. 19 · Martin Luther King Jr. Day, museum open

 
Jan. 22 · NASA Astronaut Special Appearance

 

 

IMAX® schedule

Space Station · 11 a.m. daily

 

Fighter Pilot · Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily

 

The Magic of Flight · 1 p.m. daily

 

Straight Up: Helicopters in Action · 3 p.m. daily

Deep Sea · 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday

 

For ticket prices and to confirm show times, visit www.afmuseum.com.