USAF Museum News and Notes SEP-2009

News & Notes September 2009       Two flying events set for this month  RC Air Show and Dawn Patrol Rendezvous to take place on museum's back field Two exciting outdoor aerial events are set to take place this month at the museum. The Giant Scale Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Air Show will happen Sept. 4-6 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. From Sept. 25-27, the World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous comes to the back field, bringing early air power to life. Click here for detailed information.     Celebrate 'fall' by learning about gravity  Try on a parachute or sit in a B-2 ejection seat Celebrate fall while learning about gravity during this month's Family Day on Sept. 19 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visitors will have variety of aerospace stations to choose from that demonstrate the force of gravity. One station will explain how parachutes work and will allow participants to try on a real parachute and to sit in an actual B-2 ejection seat. Other activities include storytime and an opportunity to make a paper parachute. Visit the Family Day page for more information.     Band of Flight celebrates America during September concert  Music celebrates the spirit of our great nation The U.S. Air Force Band of Flight's largest performing ensemble will present an exciting evening of music. The program includes Joseph Wilcox Jenkin's popular "American Overture for Band," an original composition by the band's staff arranger, Staff Sgt. Scott Wise, based upon the tune "This Land Is Your Land," as well as "Battle Hymn of the Republic," sung by Staff Sgt. Terra Mason. The free concert takes place Sept. 12 at 7:30. Click here for more information.       Author presents 'Hell Hawks!'  Book is about true story of aerial band of brothers flying the deadly P-47 Thunderbolt  Dr. Thomas D. Jones, a veteran NASA astronaut, scientist, speaker, author and consultant, will speak about a book he co-authored with Robert F. Dorr called "Hell Hawks!: The War No One Told You About and the Heroes Who Helped America Win It" on Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Click here for more information about the book and the authors.     Home School Day set for Sept. 28  Variety of educational experiences for all grade levels Registration for this fall's Home School Day will open on Sept. 1 at 9 a.m. Those interested in participating can learn more by visiting the Home School Day page here. Activities and classes are available for all grade levels from preschool through high school. Space is limited, so register early!      Featured exhibit of the month The Tragic Story of The Flying Dutchman On Nov. 10, 1942, the C-47 nicknamed The Flying Dutchman (S/N 41-18564) hit a strong down-draft over the Owen Stanley Range while carrying U.S. Army troops from Port Moresby to Pongani, New Guinea. It crashed into the side of Mount Obree, killing seven of the 23 onboard and destroying most of the food it carried. Of the 16 survivors, eight received serious injuries and burns. Twenty-five years later, the crash site was rediscovered and on a door was scribbled the daily experiences of those survivors who were never rescued. Click here to learn more about this new exhibit in the Air Power Gallery.     This month in USAF history  Sept. 18, 1947 While aboard the presidential C-54 aircraft, Sacred Cow, in July 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947, officially establishing the United States Air Force as a separate service under the National Military Establishment (renamed in 1949 the Department of Defense). On Sept. 18, 1947, Stuart Symington was sworn in as the first Secretary of the Air Force by Chief Justice Fred Vinson, establishing the United States Air Force as truly an independent arm of the U.S. military. For further information, visit the USAF Established page. In this issue Outdoor Aerial Events Family Day Band Concert Lecture Home School Day Featured Exhibit USAF History On the Radar IMAX® Schedule     On the radar Sept. 4-6 · Giant Scale Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Air Show     Sept. 7 ·  Labor Day, MUSEUM OPEN   Sept. 12 · Band of Flight Concert   Sept. 14 · Berlin Airlift Special Exhibit Opens   Sept. 19 · Family Day   Sept. 23 · Wings & Things Guest Lecture   Sept. 25-27 · WWI Dawn Patrol Rendezvous See more events     IMAX® schedule Fall schedule begins Sept. 7   Space Station · 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily   Fighter Pilot · 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily   The Magic of Flight · 1 p.m. daily, 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday    10 a.m. shows can be arranged for groups of 50 or more. For ticket prices and to confirm show times, visit www.afmuseum.com.