Friday, December 19, 2014

Happy Holidays


The Museum has added a Christmas garden this holiday season. It started as a spur-of-the-moment suggestion that grew into a small layout, complete with some Martin aircraft. Visitors can ask to see it when they stop by during regular hours -- Wednesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 3 PM.

The Museum will be open regular hours.

Thanks to Martin State Airport for providing the room for this temporary exhibit.

Monday, December 8, 2014

WWII Remembrance

Ellis Woodward leads Scouts in the National Anthem.
Sunday saw the kick-off of a months-long remembrance of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Several people, including some Rosie the Riveters, attending the event at the Museum. The Museum has joined with the National Electronics Museum and the SS John Brown Liberty Ship to honor the women and men working on the Homefront who made the victory possible.

Stay tuned for a calendar for a list of what will be happening in 2015!

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Members enjoy holiday cheer

Theresa Brinkerhoff enjoys chatting with some of the attendees.
The cafeteria at Lockheed Martin was full of cheer and good conversation as Museum members and their guests renewed old acquaintance and made new friends at the annual holiday party. Ellis Woodward once again provided the festive music.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Thanks for the memories

Jimmy Mathis gets ready to introduce Tom Jones.

An enthusiastic crowd showed up Saturday night at Columbus Gardens to help the Museum honor veteran astronaut and Essex native Tom Jones for all his support and work in the community. Radio talk-show host and record-setting pilot Jimmy Mathis was the emcee and recounted his exploits as a teen-ager flying solo across the country.

Tom enthralled the audience with his journey from Essex to the Space Shuttle program and reminded people about the importance of reaching for the stars, or Mars, in the nearer future. He also put in a plug for the viability of some day capturing an asteroid for research and commercial use.  Also on hand was Alan Walden, who lent his unique voice to the evening.

Our scholarship winner, Shelbie Owens, was introduced to the crowd and this year's recipients of the "Purple Martin" award for their support of the Museum were announced: Fred Fahdt, Al LaPorte, Joe Toskes and Roger Mason.

Thanks to all those who made it a great evening.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

A very successful weekend

Waiting for the onslaught of customers are, from left, Karen Armacost, Bobbie Davis and Theresa Brinkerhoff.
Saturday's rain did not stop people from getting their photos taken in a "Blue Angel."
Thousands of people showed up at Martin State Airport for the weekend's Star-Spangled festivities. Over 4,000 visitors walked through the museum over the two days and the gift shop did a brisk business. Anything connected with the Blue Angels was quickly gobbled up by the aviation enthusiasts, both young and old.

Four aircraft from the Strawberry Point static display -- the B-57A, TA4-J, F4-C and T-34C -- were popular with people who came to see the planes, including the Blue Angels, on the airport tarmac.

The weather was perfect Sunday after a rain-spattered Saturday kept the crowds down and the air show behind schedule. Both the Blue Angels and the Canadian F-18 entertained the crowds with their take-offs and landings.

Many visitors expressed the hope that the successful weekend could convince officials to return air shows to Martin State.


Friday, September 12, 2014

School children meet a Blue Angel

Children listen to a Blue Angel describe challenges of flying.
Friday morning a group of home-schooled children got a chance to hear about life as a Blue Angel. A pilot and maintenance crew member described what it takes to be on the Navy's elite demonstration team. Education was emphasized as the children peppered the Navy men with questions about what it's like to fly that fast and how do you become a Blue Angel.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Glenn Martin 'likes' the Blue Angels

Glenn takes a "selfie" with the Blue Angels at his airport.

The Blue Angels are at Martin State Airport as the excitement builds for this weekend's Star-Spangled Spectacular. The Museum will be part of the celebration at the airport that runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.  There will be food and souvenir vendors and aircraft to ogle. You can watch the Blues take off en route to the air show over Fort McHenry.  Or, if you're patient, you can wait for their return and possibly catch an autograph. Please check the website link above or head to http://www.starspangled200.com/ for the latest information on the events in the Baltimore area.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Blue Angels arrive at Martin State

  

The Blue Angels team has arrived at Martin State Airport in preparation for this weekend's Star-Spangled Spectacular. The Air Show over Fort McHenry will be Saturday and Sunday.

You can see the Blue Angels and other aircraft at Martin State during the festival Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. There will be vendors selling food and aviation-related items. Security will be tight, so be sure to check what you can bring and have fun.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Author Jon Guttman visits


Well known aviation writer Jon Guttman was the guest  September 8 at the Museum's monthly Speaker Series. Jon, whose latest book, "Fighter Aircraft Combat Debuts" comes out this month, talked about the increased importance of aircraft in wartime. During World War I, aviation changed from simply being an "eye-in-the sky" to an integral part of strategy.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

So long until next year


The Liberty Foundation's Movie Memphis Belle spent the weekend at Martin State Airport and flew dozens of people in the historic B-17.

A crew with a C-130 from the Kentucky Air National Guard got an up-close look when the B-17 taxied within fleet on way to another flight (see video below).




Sunday, August 10, 2014

Perfect weather for perfect day

Susan Merryman got a chance to tell visitors about the historic Rearwin Cloudster brought out for Open Cockpit.


Real Rosie the Riveters (Grace, Rena, Loretta and Susan) answered questions.
Betsy, a new volunteer, welcomed visitors as Rosie the Riveter.
Over 200 visitors got a chance to experience Open Cockpit Day on Saturday when the museum opened several aircraft on its Strawberry Point static line. Yougsters of all ages could sit in a nuclear bomber or one of several fighters and trainers, including a Top Gun TA-4J Skyhawk and F-100F Wild Weasel. The most popular aircraft with visitors were the Skyhawk and T-34C Mentor trainer. People also got to see the latest addition to the collection, the UH-1M "Huey" helicopter which elicited knowing glances from several Vietnam-era veterans.

Several Rosie the Riveters also were there to tell tales of World War II and answer questions.
Beautifully restored Plymouth was an added bonus.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Last chance of the season


This Saturday will be the final Open Cockpit day of the season, when children of all ages can get a close look at our aircraft.  A number of Rosie the Riveters are also expected at the museum to talk about their war-time experiences.

Don't miss your chance.  The next opportunity will be in 2015!


A surprise visitor at Flight Line


Come out and see the museum's Huey UH-1M on the flight line.  The museum had arranged several years ago for the helicopter to be displayed at the Vietnam Veterans of America site in Dundalk, but now it has returned. This particular helicopter saw two tours of duty in Vietnam.

The Huey needs repainting, restoration and it's inside cleaned and refreshed. The museum can always use help working on its aircraft.  Donations are also gratefully accepted to help defray the cost of this iconic aircraft.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Get ready for Open Cockpit



Eva and Aaron check out the display of the Ninety-Nines in July under the watchful eye of their father Adrien.
The weather looks good for Saturday's Open Cockpit event, so mark your calendars. This will be the last chance this season to sit in the museum's aircraft, so come on out, because there may be a few surprises. Several Rosie the Riveters will also be on hand to relate their stories about working during World War II.

Over 200 people took advantage of the July Open Cockpit day to visit the Museum and sit in our planes. People had a chance to get an up-close look at several jet fighters and other aircraft.
In the Museum, people met several Rosie the Riveters and Ninety-Nines (the international organization of women pilots), the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River, and author Vince Gisriel Jr., who signed his book "Hearts Away, Bombs Away."


Sunday, May 11, 2014

Oldest member reaches 100

One star shows off another. Harvey was wearing his summer hat to the event.
Harvey Hodgin, one of the early supporters of the museum, has hit a new milestone: 100 years. Several friends from Middle River and the museum showed up to wish him well. Debi Wynn arranged the party at Harvey's residence and baked an assortment of cupcakes to mark the occasion.
Old friends from the neighborhood reminisce about old times.

Harvey was well known for showing up at the museum with a package of cookies for the volunteers.  Al LaPorte decided to return the favor.
Well-wishers from the museum (from left), Debi Wynn, Carol Clarke, Al LaPorte and Jane Michael surround Harvey.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Rains cut short Open Cockpit


Dozens of people came early Saturday to enjoy the museum and Open Cockpit day.  When the deluge came, volunteers managed to close all the planes in time.  A few brave souls walked up and down the static line under umbrellas to make the most of a soggy afternoon.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

War in the electronic age

Group Captain Adrian Frost answers questions after his presentation.
Group Captain Adrian Frost was the guest at the museum's monthly Monday Speaker Series. He talked about how changes in technology have affected air warfare over the last quarter century, when "smart" bombs and laser-guided missiles have altered tactics. He provided video examples from the Gulf wars and Afghanistan to show how precision munitions have improved accuracy.  But, he emphasized that it is still the people on the front line who are the most important component of any strategy.  Captain Frost currently is the United Kingdom's liaison to U.S.  cyberspace operations.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Out in the neighborhood


The Oriole Bird was among the many visitors interested in flight who stopped by the museum's booth at the Crossroads Village Spring Festival on Saturday. Bernie Trent (left) and Joe Teal seemed to be enjoying their time manning the booth.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Sorry you missed us

Family members stand in line to enter TA-4J cockpit. Nearly 200 people took advantage of the perfect April weather to examine several aircraft at the Strawberry Point static line. Six airplanes were open and the newly arrived T-34C trainer was one of the most popular features. Two people at a time could enjoy the T-34C. The next Open Cockpit is scheduled for May 12 when the museum may be able to open even more aircraft.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Scouts earn their wings

Scouts and adults listen to talk on  historic "Spirit of Maryland."
More than 100 Scouts, accompanied by parents and Scout leaders, attended the second annual Aviation Day at the museum held by the Chesapeake District.  Scouts learned about rockets, principles of flight, navigation and building a community in space. The weather prevented a visit to the Strawberry Point static line, but they were kept busy with a variety of hands-on activities. They also had a chance to hold classes in the museum C Basement center where they also had a chance to see restoration projects and several historic craft, including Steven Oxman's balloon that crossed the Alps and Bill Morris' "Spirit of Maryland," which traveled to Europe and the Arctic several times.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Snow days pile up

The new structure at Strawberry Point survived the challenging weather.
Twin Beech and Martin 4-O-4 are visible behind snow piles.
B-57s were stationed in Alaska, but never looked like this.

The recent snows closed the museum for a few days, but the spring weather forecast should take care of that. The airplanes at Strawberry Point were snow-covered, but seemed to have weathered the storm. Anyone who wants to be escorted to the planes may have to look from afar or scale the snow piles.
Please call ahead to make sure the museum  is open. 410-682-6122

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Museum's F9F on the move

The museum's F9F shows years of neglect.
Volunteers have moved the museum's Grumman F9F Cougar from a storage yard on Eastern Avenue to Strawberry Point.  Eventually, the jet engine will be removed and restored for display.  Plans call for the fighter either to be restored. or converted into a Navy jet simulator. As always, people are invited to volunteer their services to accomplish the Cougar's final mission.

A look at history

Docent Bill Haugen explains the special tiles on the shuttle. A busload of aviation enthusiasts enjoyed the day November 8 at the Smiths...