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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.