Sunday, November 1, 2015

Season finale

People enjoyed great weather and some special visitors -- a Med-Evac helicopter at left and ANG Warthog at right --  at October Open Cockpit.
An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed a balmy October day at the Museum's last Open Cockpit event of the season. Added attractions included a new State Police Med-Evac helicopter and a Maryland Air National Guard A-10 Warthog.  An airport fire pumper also provided a demonstration of its fire-fighting capabilities.  Some people also got to see the helicopter crew called to an emergency and take off.

See you next year, when we plan more exciting Open Cockpit days!

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Rosies and WWII veterans honored

Honorees get a standing ovation from an appreciative audience.
The Museum, as part of the Sprit of '45 national campaign, got a chance to once again thank the women and men who helped win World War II. A special program was held at the Lockheed Martin auditorium and over 70 people came out to honor the group. During the program, the words of those who could not join us were mixed with the memories of the Rosies and veterans in the audience.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Open Cockpit enjoyed in September

Visitors enjoyed a sunny day to view the aircraft.
Open Cockpit closed out its regular season as families enjoyed a chance to sit in jet fighters, a bomber or 1950s-era airliner. The airport fire department brought two trucks for the day and people also got a chance to sit in them. As a bonus, the trucks put on a water display.

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Tom Jones talks about Flak Bait

Tom Jones took time after his talk to visit with audience members.
Monday's presenter at the Museum's Speaker Series was veteran astronaut and Essex native Tom Jones, who talked about Flak Bait, the most famous B-26 in the war.  Tom joined the Museum's bus tour in the Spring to get a look at the Marauder under restoration at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center.  He has been back to watch the progress. Tom showed several pictures of Flak Bait under restoration and during its combat years.



Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Rosies honored


Several original Rosie the Riveters were honored May 16 as the Museum marked Armed Forces Day. Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot was on hand to present a special proclamation honoring the important work of the women during World War II. Students from Notre Dame Prep showed their support dressed as Rosies and the Commemorative Air Force provided its B-24 as a backdrop.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Museum awards scholarship

Jane Michael, Museum board chairman, meets Gabriel Wach.
Board Chair Jane Michael presented the Museum’s third $1,000 scholarship to Gabriel Wach at the Chesapeake High School Awards Ceremony in May.
Gabriel will attend the University of Maryland College Park and plans to become an aerospace engineer.
During high school, Gabriel was active on the Robotics Team, traveling to Kentucky and California to participate in national competitions. He was also active in Boy Scouts, Chess Club and the National Honor Society. He is currently working on his Eagle Scout project, which he hopes to finish by October.
Gabriel is the youngest of five children. His parents Pam and Roman are very proud of his accomplishments.
Gabriel and his family will be attending the Wings over Maryland Hangar Dance and Silent Auction in September as guests of the Museum.


Saturday, May 23, 2015

Members get special treatment

Martin Mauler Triple Wasp engine sits in cradle ready for restoration.
Members took advantage of special day Saturday to get personal tours of the museum. Besides the regular Museum, members got behind-the-scene looks at the archives and the restoration center in Lockheed Martin's C Building. People were impressed with the Museum's holdings that are never open to the public, especially the historic engines undergoing restoration.

The top it off, visitors got a chance to leisurely look at the aircraft and sit in several planes on a beautiful spring afternoon at Strawberry Point.


Friday, May 15, 2015

The P-51 was buzzing all weekend


The Commemorative Air Force's AirPower History Tour has left Martin State Airport after a fun-filled four days. Also on hand this weekend were the B-29 "Fifi," B-24 "Diamond Lil" and the C-45 "Bucket of Bolts."

Hundreds of people took the opportunity to see some of the last World War II aircraft still flying. A large number even bought rides to close out their "bucket lists" of activities.

The Museum welcomed many first-time visitors and hosted a Rosie the Riveter special event on Saturday to thank the working women for all they did to help win the war.  Comptroller Peter Franchot presented a special proclamation to the Rosies for their historic work. The Martin Company was the first to hire women to work on the production floor and the first woman hired, Alice Whitmer Podolsky, was there.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

The CAF has arrived


The Commemorative Air Force has started to fly in some of its World War II aircraft that are here for the weekend. The C-45, B-24 "Diamond Lil" and the B-29 "Fifi" are here and the P-51 is expected Friday morning.

The museum will be open 10 AM to 5 PM. The Strawberry Point flight line is closed for this event. See the items below for more details on the weekend events.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Sorry, we missed you

Visitors board the bus to head back to the museum.
What began with iffy weather, turned into a glorious spring day at the Museum's Open Cockpit event on Saturday. People enjoyed their tour of the museum and a chance to sit in the aircraft at Strawberry Point. This month saw the added attraction of a UH-1M Huey helicopter, a veteran of the Vietnam War. Visitors also got a chance to meet some of the people who worked at the Martin Company in World War II.

See you for next month's Open Cockpit on June 13, weather permitting!

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Rosie the Riveter celebration

Join us May 16 as the Museum honors the women who kept America working during World War II. Visitors can hear stories about the era and be there for a noon ceremony honoring Rosies and veterans in attendance.

At 2:30 PM you can join in as we try to set a world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as a Rosie the Riveter.
All you need do is adhere to the dress requirements:

  • A red bandana with large white polka dots
  • Red knee socks
  • A dark blue, long-sleeve cotton work shirt (but not denim)
  • Dark blue cotton or denim pants 
  • Black work-style boots.

See the poster at right for inspiration.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

CAF is coming to Martin State


The commemorative Air Force is returning to Martin State Airport May 14. Several World War II-aircraft will be on display and available for rides and tours. The Museum will extend its hours during the event. To book a ride

The schedule for the CAF is:
  • Thursday, May 14: aircraft arrive after noon and the plan is to be open for tours 2 PM to 5 PM
  • Friday, May 15: aircraft will be open for tours 9 AM to 5 PM. Supporting aircraft (P-51, C-45 and Hell Diver) available to fly all day. 
  • Saturday, May 16: aircraft open for tours 9 AM to 5 PM. B-29 flies 9 AM and 10:30 AM; B-24 flies 4 PM. Other aircraft available all day.
  • Sunday, May 17: aircraft open for tours 9 AM to 5 PM. Fifi flies at 9 AM; B-24 flies at 4 PM. Other aircraft available all day.
The Museum will be open 10 AM to 5 PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday.



Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Members see Flak Bait up close

"Rosie" Grace Henninger asks some questions of lead Flak Bait restorer Pat Robinson (foreground) and curator Jeremy Kinney.


 Over 50 Museum members and aviation enthusiasts rode a bus to the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center on April 25 to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the restoration area where the iconic World War II B-26 Flak Bait is undergoing a major preservation effort. The tour was led by lead restorer Pat Robinson and curator Jeremy Kinney.
Tom Jones explains the tiles on the Shuttle Discovery.
On board for the trip was "Rosie" Grace Henninger who was among the first women hired by the Martin Company to work on the production floor.  Grace thoroughly enjoyed the day and kept everyone mesmerized by her recollections of working during the war. Bud Gahs also made the trip and told how he worked on the Martin turret for the B-26 until he was drafted.
Meeting the group in Virginia was veteran astronaut Tom Jones, who  later led the group on a walk-around of the Shuttle Discovery. Tom also has done a lot of research on Flak Bait and wrote about the aircraft in the latest Air & Space magazine.
Joining the group was Dave Pawski, who is leading a group in Akron restoring a B-26. Also B-26 pilot Dave Patrisek was there as was Alex Bailey, a B-26 mechanic.
Steve Swartz was with a group touring the center and put together a PhotoShow of the day, which you can view here.  http://www.photoshow.com/watch/pg5rQ7HV


Members admire the cradle holding Flak Bait's wing assembly.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The case for a Rosie memorial

Professor Breihan chats with "Rosie" Violet Johnson after his talk.
How do you preserve the story of the "Rosie the Riveters" for future generations?
Jack Breihan, history professor at Loyola University, showed photos and talked about his recent visit to the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Park in California.
He then made the case for a memorial in Baltimore to honor those who worked in local factories.  Jack used his presentation to show the breadth of the war effort in Maryland that ensured victory for the Allies 70 years ago.
The Museum is joining with several other institutions this year to honor the women and men who made the victory possible.  www.WW2inMaryland.org.

Friday, January 2, 2015

Is a local Rosie memorial overdue?

Women were an integral part of the "Battle of Production" in Baltimore.
Hear Jack Breihan, a history professor at Loyola University Maryland and emeritus member of the Museum board, talk about and show photos from his recent visit to the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Park in Richmond, Calif.
Professor Breihan will make the case for a long-overdue memorial to local factory workers who won the "Battle of Production" to ensure victory in World War II. He also will show photos of Maryland factory sites during the war.
The 7 PM January 5 talk is part of the Monday Speaker Series hosted at the Lockheed Martin Corporation auditorium, 2323 Eastern Blvd. in Middle River. The event is free and open to the public. You must show a Photo ID and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the Museum will be joining with other local organizations to honor the occasion with several events.
Stay tuned for updates on the website www.WW2inMaryland.org



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...