The Museum of Flight: 23rd Fighter Group

Greetings! Successor to the World War II's legendary "Flying Tigers" American Volunteer Group, the U.S. Army Air Force 23rd Fighter Group made arguably the largest contribution toward the Allied victory in the China-Burma-India Theater of combat of any air unit during World War II. Author Carl Molesworth will recall this record in a presentation based upon his 2009 book, "23rd Fighter Group--Chennault's Sharks." The program is on Saturday, April 3 at 2 p.m. Molesworth will field audience questions and sign his books after the presentation. The Museum has just released 100 tickets to our VIP Gourmet Soiree food and beer pairing event on April 24 from 6-7 p.m. Tickets are $100 each and include admission to the 8th Annual Hops and Props event (7-10 p.m.) Contact Sandra Ewing at sewing@museumofflight.org or 206.768.7221 to reserve your tickets today. Hops and Props has been sold out for weeks, so don't miss this opportunity to attend this popular event! On the radar: Vietnam-era pilots panel, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum space historian Dr. Roger Launius and more! Check out the calendar below for details. Click here to vote for The Museum of Flight in Evening Magazine's "Best of Northwest Escapes" contest! The Museum is nominated for the "Best Museum" category. Voting ends on Sunday, April 11. Dream, Discover, Soar! Sincerely, The Museum of Flight In This Issue Family Programs In Search of Amelia Earhart April 2010 Events           Bank of America Weekend Family Workshops   Saturdays and Sundays 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.   Kites on the Fly! Mask Kites: April 3, 4, 10, 11 Fisherman's Kites: April 17, 18, 24, 25 Did you know that people have been flying kites for over 2,000 years? Come hear the story of these incredible yet simple flying objects, then make and decorate your own kite to fly at home!           CONTACT INFORMATION   The Museum of Flight  206.764.5720, email   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, email     TTY  1.800.833.6385 April 2010 Events   Wells Fargo Free First Thursday Thursday, April 1, 5-9 p.m. Once a month, the Museum stays open late--and admission is free! Enjoy the Museum's T.A. Wilson Great Gallery, J. Elroy McCaw Personal Courage Wing, Space: Exploring the New Frontier exhibit, and more from 5-9 p.m., courtesy of Wells Fargo. Museum Store and Wings Cafe will also remain open for the extended hours on this night.   Girl Scout Day Saturday, April 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Explore the wonders of the night sky in the Museum's portable planetarium while satisfying elements fo the Space Explorer Try-It and the Sky Search Badge   Participants must bring a bag lunch. $12/Girl Scout. Accompanying adults at no charge. Payment required at time of reservation.   To register, call 206.764.1384 or contact www.museumofflight.org/contact/On-Site+Programs. Registration closes March 26.   23rd Fighter Group: "Chennault's Sharks" Lecture and Book Signing Saturday, April 3, 2 p.m., Allen Theater Successor to WWII's legendary "Flying Tigers" American Volunteer Group, the U.S. Army Air Force 23rd Fighter Group made arguably the largest contribution toward the Allied victory in the China-Burma-India Theater of combat of any air unit during WWII. Author Carl Molesworth will recall this record in a presentation based upon his 2009 book, "23rd Fighter Group-Chennault's Sharks."   Vietnam Panel Discussion II Saturday, April 10, 2 p.m., Allen Theater Veteran flyers from the Vietnam era--Jim Platt, Doug Clarke and Don Scott, will share their experiences in a panel discussion in conjunction with the Seattle Opera's upcoming production of "Amelia," a new work that explores the American experience in Vietnam and our fascination with flight.   "Robots vs. Humans in Spaceflight: Technology, Evolution, and Interplanetary Travel" Lecture by Dr. Roger Launius Thursday, April 15, 7 p.m. Allen Theater Chair of the Division of Space History, National Air and Space Museum and former Chief Historian at NASA, Roger Launius will make a presentation based on a recent book that explores the history and possible futures for human/robotic spaceflight, "Imagining Space: Achievements, Possibilities, Predictions, 1950-2050." Admission is $10 for general public and $5 for Museum members.   "Perspectives on the Past, Present and Future of Human Spaceflight" Lecture by Dr. Roger Launius Saturday, April 17, 2 p.m. Allen Theater Launius will explore the history of spaceflight during the past 50 years and offer comments on the core challenges for future exploration. Those challenges include political will; cheap, reliable access to space; smart robotics; protecting this planet and this species; and exploration of the moon and Mars.   Hops and Props 2010 Saturday, April 24, 7-10 p.m. The Museum's 8th annual Hops and Props event is sold out. $30 designated driver tickets will be available in the Museum Store the night of the event.

 

Fantasy of Flight April E-news

April 2010   Fun Facts of the 15th A continuing series of reflections in celebration of Fantasy of Flight's 15th birthday The "Dream Shop" Fantasy of Flight's Restoration Philosophy   Aircraft Restoration Specialist Paul Stecewycz speaks with guests touring the current Restoration Shop.   Behind everything you experience at Fantasy of Flight lies Kermit Weeks' vision and the emphasis he places in preserving vintage aircraft. Asked what he sees as his priority in restoration, Kermit replies, "The value in these aircraft is historic value. We aim for the highest degree of authenticity. As time passes and vintage airplanes become rarer, they also become more valuable and more effort is put on preserving them. For this reason, you'll find more vintage aircraft flying now than you would have 20 or 30 years ago."   The design of Fantasy of Flight reflects this value of ever-increasing emphasis on restoration. What is now the North Display Hangar was designed to be (and will eventually become) Fantasy of Flight's Restoration shop, or as Kermit calls it, the "dream shop," radiating with project rooms and specialty areas, e.g., sheet metal, wood, parts, welding. The width of the North Hangar is specifically designed to accommodate the whopping wingspan of a B-29, and the hangar door has a customized notch at the top to allow access for the tail of the biggest aircraft in the collection:  the B-29 and the Short Sunderland.   As Fantasy of Flight continues to expand and more immersion hangars pop up on the field, the "dream shop" will ultimately become a reality. And just imagine the "dream" Restoration Shop tour!     Don't Hold Your Horses   The 13th Annual Mustangs & Mustangs show, the only Mustang event that showcases both restored P-51 Mustang aircraft and hundreds of Ford Mustang autos of all eras, ages and styles, returns on Saturday, April 17.   America's greatest machines show their muscle at this unique car show. Fantasy of Flight general admission is required to attend this event. If you have a shared passion for war birds and automobiles, come marvel as show cars compete for a "People's Choice" award and rare, restored P-51 fighters perform live aerial demonstrations. Photo Credit: Marc M. Ellis / H2OPictures.   Mustangs & Mustangs Features Fighter Aces   Third in the Living History Symposium Series, "Victory in the Sky" will also take place Saturday, April 17, featuring American Fighter Aces of World War II. This elite strata of combat pilots shot down five or more hostile aircraft in air-to-air combat, becoming living examples of courage and service. Legendary P-51 Ace Col. Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson will be headlining the panel of heroes during the interactive symposium.   Don't miss this chance to meet several WWII Aces and see their glorious chariot of choice: the North American P-51 Mustang. This symposium is presented in conjunction with Mustangs & Mustangs.           Mirror, Mirror in the Mustang Dear G. Willie: I had a great day at Fantasy of Flight. Loved the collection and all the cool experiences. My whole family had a ton of fun. One question: how do you keep Mr. Weeks' Mustangs so shiny? Are they supposed to be that bright? --Looking Forward to my Next Visit   G. Willie takes the buffer to the P-51C in the Maintenance Hangar. Dear Looking: As Kermit always reminds us, authenticity is the priority. In fact, the interior of the war birds are restored to fighter specifications, even when it compromises Kermit's comfort. And in battle, no Mustang ace would want an aircraft that shone like the sun and reflected like a mirror.    However, the matte surface of the Mustang in battle is achieved with unpainted aluminum, which is roughly textured because it is actually in a state of gradual surface oxidization, also known as corrosion. The destructive enemy of all antique airplanes is none other than, you guessed it, corrosion.        G. Willie admires his work, the shiny aluminum of the P-51C.     So we keep the Mustangs in a hi-pro glow by buffing the aluminum to a glorious shine. In so doing, we extend their lives and preserve the aircraft for future generations. Plus we think they just look gorgeous glinting in the sunlight, just like the great symbols of achievement they truly are!   Your pal, G. Willie In this Issue: Mustangs & Mustangs   Real Top Guns Sun 'n Fun Splash-In   Meet "Miracle on the Hudson" Co-Pilot    Final nightFlight G. Willie's Mail Call WASP Wrap-Up April 3 Closure Connect with Us      Fantasy of Flight and Sun 'n Fun Collaborate in the Best Splash-In Ever    In its former location, the Sun 'n Fun Splash-In accommodated only 25 or so aircraft. Two years ago, Fantasy of Flight stepped forward and, in the spirit of cooperation, offered up the sparkling waters of Lake Agnes and its groomed mile of shoreline. The result: seaplane participation tripled in the first year and grew another 25 percent in the second year.    Every year the event grows and improves! A perfect "win/win" situation for everyone involved. Join us for all the Splash-In fun on Thursday, April 15. Lakefront activities are included with general admission and free for all Annual pass holders.    Meet "Miracle on the Hudson" Co-Pilot   This year, Kermit plans to "splash-in" with special guest Jeff Skiles, Captain "Sully" Sullenberger's co-pilot on the U.S. Airways Flight 1549 now famously known as the "Miracle on the Hudson." Experienced with water landings as he is, perhaps he'll let us know how Lake Agnes compares with the Hudson River! Jeff Skiles Meet the famous pilot at a special luncheon at noon on Thursday, April 15 in our Orlampa Conference Center. The luncheon requires a separate reservation of $20 plus tax per person and has limited availability. Click here to make your reservation now.     Last Chance for nightFlight   If you haven't mustered up the courage to join our nightFlight paranormal investigations yet, here's your last chance. The final date for this stage of the investigation has been announced:   Saturday, April 3   Click here for more information about this unique supernatural adventure. Space is limited.     Pass Holders Corner   One of Fantasy of Flight's "Open Cockpit Days," is scheduled for Saturday, April 17 in conjunction with Mustangs & Mustangs and the "Victory In The Sky" Living History Symposium. This special "Open Cockpit" opportunity offers you a chance to get up close and personal to some of America's most rare vintage aircraft. The Stinson Tri-motor and Spitfire are scheduled as the featured aircraft for this "Open Cockpit" opportunity (subject to change and weather permitting).     Remember: All Annual Pass holders can step inside the featured aircraft for FREE. (The opportunity is available to General Admission guests for an additional fee.)     Important Reminder:   Fantasy of Flight will be closed for a private event on Saturday, April 3, 2010. The attraction will reopen to the public at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 4, 2010. Please plan your visits accordingly!     Connect with Fantasy of Flight:                                 Living History WASP Inspire and Entertain   Recently awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) were in high-flying form during their Living History Symposiums in late March.   Florence Rubin Mascott, Barry Vincent Smith, Kermit Weeks, Helen Wyatt Snapp, Bernice "Bee" Falk Haydu in front of the North American AT-6 / Photo credit: William A Ruzin, Spring Hill Camera Club, Spring Hill, FL.   In honor of Women's History Month, stories of changing the system while serving their nation were the order of the day. Special guests included four of the original WASP: Bernice "Bee" Falk Haydu, Florence Rubin Mascott, Barry Vincent Smith, and Helen Wyatt Snapp.           Topping off the event: an unforgettable Living Legends Luncheon, saluting the WASP and featuring another special guest, Susan Butler, the author of East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia Earhart. Butler's Earhart biography was made into the blockbuster movie Amelia.   Another special visitor landed at the facility last Friday, long-time Fantasy of Flight friend and female pilot and instructor Sarah Wilson. Wilson took Florence Rubin Mascott up in her Stearman, one of Mascott's favorite planes, and they had a blast!  Fantasy of Flight was also pleased to partner with Girls Inc. of Winter Haven as part of last weekend's activities. The attraction sponsored a field trip to Saturday's symposium, granting twelve girls a unique chance to meet these groundbreaking women.          Helen Wyatt Snapp and Bernice "Bee" Falk Haydu with Girls Inc. members and staff. Photo Credit: Don Keeton Photography