WE APOLOGIZE, BUT DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS FOR ATTENDEES AND AIRCRAFT FROM THE EXTREME HEAT, THIS HANGAR TALK EVENT IS CANCELLED. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE AS WELL.

On Saturday, September 7, 2024 we’ve got a great line-up for “Hangar Talk” in store along with a great “Flying Demo” of our World War II combat veteran, the Douglas SBD “Dauntless” dive-bomber!

Doors to the Museum will open at 9:00am. Regular admission prices are in effect and Museum Members always get in free!

Hangar Talk begins at 10:30am.

Here’s what’s in store for “Hangar Talk” . . .

Remembering the “Powder Puff Derby” of 1929

Air Racing has been a part of aviation history since the earliest days.  For the 1929 National Air Races, the promoters thought that a novelty race of female pilots flying cross-country from Los Angeles to Cleveland might gain more press coverage and help stimulate ticket sales to the event.  But to the 20 women who would fly the race, it was anything but a publicity stunt – it was a chance to prove that they could fly as well as any man.  In this presentation, the Museum’s Brian Finnegan will look back ninety-five years ago to the 1929 Women’s Air Derby – comically referred to as the “Power Puff Derby,” and examine the courage, skills, and challenges faced by these intrepid women pioneer pilots in this dangerous cross-country race. 

Operation “Market Garden” – the Allies Bold Attempt to End the War in ’44.

This month marks the 80th anniversary of one of the pivotal battles of the Second World War and one that had disastrous consequences for the allied nations.  To build on the momentum from the D-Day landings and the breakout and liberation of France, the allies believed that an aerial invasion of German-held Holland could prove devastating to German morale and their abilities to continue the fight with the goal of ending the war by Christmas 1944.  The Museum’s Jim Llano will look at this operation – code named “Market Garden” and see where it went well, and where it went terribly wrong.

Tech Notes – Gravity and its Effects on Human Pilots

In this presentation, the Museum’s Ken Saltgaver will explore the toll that flying faster and more aggressively has on the human pilot.  Ken will explain that while aircraft can be designed and built to withstand the strong forces that aerial maneuvers place on the machine, these same gravitational forces can prove deadly to the human occupants of the aircraft.  Ken will walk us through the challenges faced by scientists to combat the effects of “G-forces” that ultimately led to the development of sophisticated equipment to measure these forces and resulted in special G-suits to prevent G-LOC (Gravitational Loss of Consciousness). 

Ted TALK – “Egon Mayer and Success Through Adaptation”

The Museum’s Ted Mount will close this month’s “Hangar Talk” with another inspiring episode in his “Aces of World War II” series.  Egon Mayer was a Luftwaffe wing commander who flew the BF 109 and FW190.  His aerial credits include 102 enemy aircraft shot down over 353 combat missions.  Mayer was the first fighter pilot to score 100 victories entirely on the Western Front.  His Ace victories included 26 heavy-bombers, 51 Supermarine Spitfires, and 12 Republic P-47 “Thunderbolts.”  Behind this success was his ability to adapt to the ever-changing circumstances of aerial combat.  In this “Ted TALK,” we’ll explore many of the tactics he developed to gain the upper edge and, in the process, Ted will show all of us how adapting to our own circumstances can lead to new breakthroughs.

History Takes Flight: Flying Demo of the Douglas SBD “Dauntless”

At 12:15, David Willis of the Museum will present our Flying Demonstration with a short presentation about this amazing combat veteran of World War II.  The Museum’s SBD-5, one of only a handful of surviving “Dauntless” aircraft, flew with the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the United States Marine Corps in engagements throughout the South Pacific in World War II.  Historically, the Dauntless was the hero of the June 1942 “Battle of Midway.”  

Following David’s presentation, our pilot John Kerpa will fire up the “Dauntless’” powerful radial engine to give everyone a thrill.  The aircraft will then taxi away and John will put on an aerial demonstration over the Museum for twenty minutes.

We’ll also be holding our “Member’s Only” raffle contest for a flight in one of our WWII-era military trainers for one of our lucky Museum Members.

Fun for the Whole Family

We’ll have food trucks on hand, the Gift Shop is stocked with plenty of great items, our Museum Guides will tell you the stories of the Museum and its world-renowned collection.

There WIll be fun for everyone with a series of hands-on demonstrations and activities, and our B-17 will be open for visitors to tour the inside.  

A great way to spend the day on Saturday, September 7 at Planes of Fame!