On Saturday, October 5, 2024 we’ve got a great line-up for “Hangar Talk” plus another “fan favorite” “Flying Demo” of our twin-engine B-25 “Mitchell” 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” . . .

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

Last 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.

Shot Down: The True Story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B-17 “Susan Ruth”

We’re thrilled to have acclaimed author Steve Snyder join us as he presents his presentation of “Shot Down,” his award-winning book.  Steve will recount the dramatic experiences of each member of a ten man B-17 bomber crew after their plane, piloted by Steve’s father, Howard, after it was knocked out of the sky by German fighters over the French/Belgian border on February 8,1944.

Some men died. Some were captured and became prisoners of war. Some men evaded capture and were missing in action for months before making it back to England. Their individual stories and those of the courageous Belgian people who risked their lives to help them will have each of us on the edge of our seats.

Finding Uncle John – A Journey of Faith

We’re also joined by Dr. Michael Cushing for this special presentation about his great uncle’s service.  Next month will mark the 80th anniversary of one of the most horrific missions in 8th Air Force history – the bombing of the synthetic oil facilities near Merseberg, Germany.  Lieutenant John Liekhus was in command of his B-17G “Bomber Dear,” one of 37 aircraft from the 91st Bomb Group assigned to fly on November 2nd, 1944.  This mission would be the costliest and deadliest of the 340 missions that the 91st would fly during World War II.  Dr. Cushing will tell us the story of his great uncle John, from his early days growing up in Anaheim to his war experiences, and ultimately the quest his family followed to find answers about what happened to “Uncle John.”

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 North American B-25 “Mitchell” Medium Bomber

At 12:15, the Museum’s David Willis will present our Flying Demonstration with a short presentation about this amazing aircraft from the World War II-era.  From its early combat introduction during the famed “Doolittle Raid” over Japan in early 1942 to its service in all theaters until war’s end, the B-25 was the workhorse of the US Army Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps.  David will talk briefly about the range of missions flown by B-25s and tell us the history of the Museum’s B-25J variant.

Following David’s presentation, our pilots Matt Nightingale and Jeff Whitesell will fire up the B-25’s two 1,700 horsepower radial engines directly in front of the crowd to give everyone a thrill.  The aircraft will then taxi away and Matt and Jeff will put on a great 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.

Education/Model Room: The 2024 Ed Maloney Scale Model Contest is Here

Open to all Museum Members, Donors to the Model Room, Volunteers and our Junior Modeler Club Members

The 7th Annual Ed Maloney Scale Model Contest is set for Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the Planes of Fame Air Museum.  The contest is open to all Museum Members, individuals who have donated to the Model Room, Museum Volunteers, and members of the Junior Modeler’s Club.  

All entrants must make the model and can enter up to three models in the contest.  Judging will be done before and during the first half-hour of “Hangar Talk” on November 2nd.

All scales and subject matter for aircraft and armor are welcome.  There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons presented in five divisions.  The one modeler from the two adult divisions and one modeler from the two junior divisions with the most votes will have their names permanently placed on the Ed Maloney Contest Trophy (Note:  if the Armor Division winner has the most votes, it will be counted as either an adult or junior modeler and be eligible).

Modelers must pre-register (form below) no later than Thursday, October 31, 2024 to enter.  Modelers must bring their models to the Museum by 8:45am in order to have them eligible for judging.  Modelers whose models do not win must take them home on November 2nd.  Modelers whose models do win are invited to keep them at the Museum until Saturday, January 4, 2025.

DIVISIONS:

• Armor Division: Armorer & Military Vehicles (open to all ages)
• Junior Modelers – Aircraft Division I (ages 11 and under)
• Junior Modelers – Aircraft Division II (12 years to 17 years old)
• Adult Modelers – Aircraft Division I (beginners to Intermediates)
• Adult  Modelers – Aircraft Division  II (6 or more years of modeling experience)

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, and they’ll be fun hands-on activities for everyone.

A great way to spend the day on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Planes of Fame!