Museum takes program to Harford County

Harford County third graders have questions after presentation.

Thanks to support from the Dresher Foundation, the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum is offering its outreach education program “From Sand Dunes to the Moon” to third-grade classes at Harford County elementary schools at a discounted fee of only $1 per student. This interactive activity celebrating flight and Maryland's contribution to the pioneering days of manned space exploration is designed to inspire students to explore the future of aviation while they discover and learn to appreciate the technological wonders of the past. With rising gas prices often bringing bus transportation costs higher than Museum program fees, making field trip costs often unaffordable for students, the generosity of the Dresher Foundation has enabled the Museum to take aviation education into Harford County classrooms.

If you are a Harford County third-grade teacher who would like us to visit your school, click here. 

Scouts visit museum

Volunteer Richard Steinert tells Scout group about the Museum's T-33 at Strawberry Point.

Scouts and adults get pointers on night-vision goggles
 used by County Police Aviation unit.

Over 300 Scouts, adult leaders and parents spent Saturday at the Museum to explore several aspects of aviation.  Some worked toward their Merit Badges in aviation, while others just enjoyed seeing airplanes up close.  Scouts got a chance to see history, build rockets, learn to read maps (thanks to the work of Jane Toskes) and experience a real flight simular, provided by Kevin Walsh at Middle River Aviation.  The Baltimore City Aviation Unit brought a helicopter to Strawberry Point for an up-close look, and the Baltimore County Police Aviation Unit opened its facility for a tour. The local Civil Air Patrol Squadron brought its latest airplane to show and answered the questions of Scouts and adults and helped with traffic.
As an added bonus, some got a chance to tour the C Basement gallery with the support from Middle River Aircraft Systems.

Civil Air Patrol cadets and leaders wrap up
their day at the Flight Line.

Despite the biting wind, everyone seemed to enjoy the adventure-filled day and went home with more knowledge of flight, Martin State Airport and Glenn L. Martin.   People already were talking about coming back next year.

Meet the authors

As part of National Reading Month, the Museum hosted several authors on March 9.

The lineup included Jane Gardner Birch with her book They Flew Proud, Linda Martinak and Angela Martinak Sutherland with their book Essex and Middle River: Then and Now, Vincent dePaul Gisriel, Jr. and his book Hearts Away, Bombs Away and Stan Piet with his book Martin P6M SeaMaster.

If you missed the event, several of the books are available for sale in the Museum's gift shop.

Bob Dorr talks about B-29 raids

Bob Dorr met B-29 crewman John Swoboda after the meeting.

Bob Dorr, well known aviation author, visited the Museum February 4 to talk about the 1945 raids on  Japan covered in his new book, Mission to Tokyo. Bob set the stage by giving some background on the B-29 Superfortresses used in the latter stages of World War II and the war in the Pacific.

He focused his  talk on the firebombing of Tokyo the night of March 9-10 and the use later that year of the two atomic bombs. In dramatic fashion, he tried to recreate what is was like to be there 70 years ago on Tinian in the Mariana Islands as the B-29 crews prepared for their missions. He also reminded the audience that many B-29s, and specifically the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb, the Enola Gay, were built in a Martin Company plant.

In the audience was John Hamilton Swoboda, a B-29 gunner who was on Tinian during the time covered in the book and talk. They compared notes briefly.

Bob's appearance was part of the monthly Monday Speaker Series presented by the Museum at the  Lockheed Martin auditorium, 2323 Eastern Blvd., Middle River. The 7 PM events are free to the public, but you must have a photo ID.  Children must be accompanied by an adult with a photo ID.

The March speaker will be Ron Ball, who will talk about the video he compiled on the history of the Maryland Air National Guard.

Tom Jones speaks at Museum

Tom Jones visited after his talk with World War II veterans (from left) John Swoboda, Henry Benesch and Henry Koenig.

Tom Jones, retired astronaut and Essex native, took part in the Museum's Speaker Series on January 7.  His topic was the battle of the Coral Sea and the used of air power in the South Pacific. He also shared some insights from his recent visit to the area and talked about the differences between now and the ravages of war 70 years ago.

Tom Jones took a photo of the PBM display at the Queensland Air Museum. Several Martin planes were involved  in the South Pacific theater.

An early Christmas

Thanks to the families who came out to the Museum for Pizza with Santa. As Santa's elves (the children) were awaiting for the arrival of their boss, they were busy working on new toys as they assembled and tested Rudolph's Rockets and a fleet of air powered air gliders for The Claus Airlines under the supervision of Chief Elf Helen. They created cards for service men and women spending the holidays overseas and enjoyed singing holiday musical favorite "Jingle Bells" and other seasonal tunes with Ellis and Debi. With the weather being so fall-perfect for November, Santa's flight was on time and he taxied into our waiting area on schedule. He had a surprise passenger - Mrs. Claus! While each child had a private one on one chat with Santa, Mrs. Claus spruced up each elf with their favorite face painting design. The Museum thanks Kevin Walsh and Middle River Aviation, the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences, and Pedestal Events for their support of these festivities. If you missed this year's event, be sure to include Santa's arrival at the Museum on your 2013 calendar and save the date to launch next year's holiday season.

Santa's Workshop at Martin Museum. Start a family tradition and launch your holiday season with us on Friday. Twas the day after Thanksgiving and throughout the Museum excitement was building for Pizza with Santa!  Santa is arriving for a visit to the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum at Martin State Airport on Friday, November 23 as children 4 - 10 years old are put to work in his aviation workshop from 11am - 2pm. Pizza, crafts and a visit with this red suited sleigh pilot provides a memorable launching to the holiday season. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $10 for children, $5 for adults.  Tickets are available by calling 410-682-6122, or at GLMMuseumPR@aol.com.