This Saturday – November 4, 2023 – is one of our most exciting “Flying Demo” presentations of the year.  With special thanks to the generosity of Planes of Fame friend Charles Somers, we’re flying his very rare de Havilland DH.98 FB MkVI “Mosquito” – one of only a handful of these World War Two aircraft left in the world.  

Making the day even more special is our 6th Annual Ed Maloney Scale Aircraft Model Contest where guests to the Museum judge our entries, plus a new line-up of engaging “Hangar Talk” presentations.  

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

Here’s What’s Happening During Hangar Talk

Ed Maloney Scale Model Contest

We’ve got a great line-up of contestants for this year’s 6th annual contest.  As guests to the Museum, you’ll be asked to judge entries in five different categories.  Be prepared to be amazed at the talents and skills of young and old modelers as you view and vote on your choices.

The Medal of Honor

We start a new ongoing series focused on one of the most prestigious awards in the world – the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Over the next several months, in each episode, we’ll look at the unique qualities of the men who have received this recognition and how their stories of courage and duty to their fellow soldiers, sailors, and Marines still serve to inspire each of us about the best of human nature.

The Amazing Mossie: How One Man’s Vision Changed the War

As war raged throughout Europe, Great Britain rapidly prepared to do battle against the Nazi onslaught.  Preparations for war meant the need for new weapons, straining the resources of the Empire.  One of Britain’s patriots from the Great War of 1914-1918, now an aircraft manufacturing giant, proposed a new and novel idea – why not make a fast and unarmed bomber entirely out of wood.  This is the story of Geoffrey de Havilland and the birth of his “Mosquito” the wooden wonder of World War II – how it came to be and the obstacles that needed to be overcome to make it a reality.

The Mosquito In Action

We’ll look at the various ways the Mosquitos served the allies during the war.  One of the first multi-role aircraft, the Mosquitos served in photo reconnaissance, as fighters, as bombers, and in other unique roles.

Flying Demo of the de Havilland de Havilland DH.98 FB MkVI “Mosquito”

At 12:15pm, Richard Malvino of the Museum will present the “Flying Demo” of the de Havilland DH.98 FB MkVI “Mosquito”. Richard will briefly detail the history of the Mosquito in World War II and the restoration of this beautiful example from that era.

Following Richard’s presentation, Pilot Steve Hinton will fire up the two powerful Merlin inline engines of the Mosquito directly in front of the crowd.  After Steve taxis the aircraft away, we’ll hold our Member’s Only Raffle Drawing for some great prizes, including a flight in the Museum’s Vultee BT-13B “Valiant.”  Then Steve will delight us with an aerial demonstration of the Mosquito through a flight over the Museum for twenty minutes.  Upon return, guests may meet and ask questions of Steve and learn first-hand what it’s like to fly one of the world’s rarest aircraft. 

IN ADDITION to all of the above, we’ll have food trucks on hand, our Museum Guides will tell you the stories of the Museum and its world-renowned collection, they’ll be fun for the kids, and our B-17 will be open for visitors to tour the inside.  A great way to spend the day at Planes of Fame!