This Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the American Airpower Museum’s summer with our “Legends of Airpower WWII Warbirds,” and their performance in the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Jones Beach Air Show. AAM’s legendary warbirds including the WWII B-25 Mitchell bomber, North American P-51D Mustang, Grumman TBM-3E Avenger Torpedo Bomber, and Curtiss P-40M Warhawk “Flying Tiger,” will take to the skies over Republic Airport on Friday, May 24th, (practice day) plus Saturday to Sunday, May 25th/26th, for the Jones Beach Air Show. Additional aircraft will be in the air including AAM’s WWII North American AT-6 Trainers, Vietnam-era AT-28D Nomad, and our Cold War-era L-39 Jet Fighter/Trainers.
Watch AAM’s awe-inspiring aircraft take off to perform practice flybys over Republic all day Friday, May 24th. Get up close and personal with these historic bombers and fighters of yesteryear! Then join us at AAM to catch even more aerial action on Saturday and Sunday, as our warbirds lift off to perform in the air show! Flight experiences are also available each day on one of AAM’s AT-6 Texans, plus our red WACO Biplane! Park for free in AAM’s lot or along New Highway. Food and ice cream trucks are available onsite. AAM is also open Monday, Memorial Day, closing at 4:00 p.m.
According to AAM President Jeff Clyman, the goal for this three-day extravaganza is two-fold. “To honor the men and women of the ‘Greatest Generation’ who built, maintained and piloted the iconic warbirds of yesteryear, in a bold defense of freedom during WWII, as well as active-duty military, reservists and the national guard, who continue this mission today,” Clyman said that public support strengthens AAM’s mission to educate the next generation about American military aviation history, and will also help maintain the Museum’s iconic aircraft. “Help keep ‘em flying,” he added.
Museum hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday 4:00 p.m.). Tickets and preregistration not required. Regular admission is $15 for Adults, $12 for Seniors and Veterans, and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. Three days of action are guaranteed to thrill aviation fans of all ages. Don’t forget your cameras or smartphones. American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735, (631) 293-6398, www.americanairpowermuseum.org
—Submitted by Robert Salant for the American Airpower Museum
