Indy Transponder: USAF Museum - News and Notes: September 2011

News & Notes

September 2011

Don't miss model aircraft show

See giant scale RC aircraft over Labor Day weekend

Just a reminder that giant-scale

models of jets, warbirds and helicopters will land on the runway behind the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force this weekend (Sept. 2-4) from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Nearly 200 pilots will entertain audiences with skillful and daring aerobatic maneuvers with radio-controlled aircraft, including a half-time show from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. daily. Admission is free, and food and merchandise will be available for purchase. Click here for more information.

See WWI aircraft take to the skies

Dawn Patrol Rendezvous set for Sept. 23-25

One of the nation's premier historical aviation events will bring the excitement and adrenaline of early air power to Ohio. The three-day World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous features vintage original and reproduction WWI aircraft, radio-controlled models, era automobiles, period re-enactors and a collector's show. This flying event is offered every other year by the museum and the Great War Aeroplanes Association. Hours for the event are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Admission and parking are free! Click here for up-to-date information.

C-130E lands at museum

Crewmembers of 62-1787 received Air Force Cross

An aircraft that participated in one of the greatest feats of airmanship during the Southeast Asia War arrived at the museum on Aug. 18. Not only is C-130E, 62-1787, representative of all C-130 transport aircraft, it also performed courageous work during the Southeast Asia War. Two members of its crew - Capt. William Caldwell, pilot, and Tech. Sgt. Charlie Shaub, loadmaster - were awarded Air Force Crosses, the U.S. Air Force's second highest award for valor, for their heroic actions during the siege of An Loc in 1972. The museum anticipates the C-130E to be on public display in the Air Park this fall. Click here for more information about the aircraft's arrival.

Free family fun

Learn about gravity on Sept. 17

Celebrate the beginning of the fall season while learning how we can overcome and cope with the force that causes falling during Family Day from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17. Visitors can sit in an actual B-2 ejection seat, try on a parachute, listen to aviation stories under the wings of airplanes and try out hands-on demonstration stations throughout the museum. Activities are free! Click here for more information on this and other upcoming Family Days.

Learn about air reconnaissance

Guest lecture set for Sept. 29

John Bessette, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who flew as a navigator and served in air refueling, airlift and gunship assignments, will present "Covert Air Reconnaissance in Europe: USAFE Operations, 1946-1990" as part of the museum's Wings & Things Guest Lecture Series. The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m., and admission is free. Click here for more information about Lt. Col. (Ret.) Bessette.

Featured exhibit

USAF Established

On July 26, 1947, while aboard the presidential C-54 aircraft, Sacred Cow, 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). Stuart Symington was sworn in as the first Secretary of the Air Force by Chief Justice Fred Vinson on Sept. 18, 1947, establishing the United States Air Force as truly an independent arm of the U.S. military. Click here to learn more about this exhibit, located in the museum's Presidential Gallery.

This month in USAF history

Sept. 14, 1951

Capt. John S. Walmsley Jr. died while illuminating an enemy supply train with his searchlight-equipped B-26 Invader. After stopping the train with bombs, Walmsley repeatedly passed over the train to guide other aircraft to the target. Walmsley's navigator/bombardier, 2nd Lt. William D. Mulkins, and photographer, Capt. Philip W. Browning, also died in the crash. One crewmember survived, though -- gunner Master Sgt. George Moror was badly burned but escaped from the aircraft. He became a POW, and survived the war. For his actions, Capt. Walmsley earned the Medal of Honor, and he is highlighted in the Medal of Honor exhibit in the museum's Korean War Gallery.

Featured Product	Boeing B-47 Stratojet: A Photographic History For information about this product and more, visit the online store at store.airforcemuseum.com.