Throw Back Thursday to 2002 and a visit to Fantasy of Flight to see the B-26 Marauder.
Author: floridawarbirds
National Naval Aviation Museum Live event, talking about the SBD Dauntless
From the National Naval Aviation Museum’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/307824580213335/
“We invite you to join us live on Facebook on Thursday, June 4 at 11 a.m. CT for our History Up Close series with Hill Goodspeed as he spotlights the SBD Dauntless BuNo 2106.
This one-of-a-kind SBD Dauntless, Bureau Number 2106, is a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor and participated in dive bombing runs against a Japanese carrier during the pivotal Battle of Midway, making it one of the most historic aircraft in existence. Throughout World War II, the Dauntless proved a highly effective dive bomber with the Marine Corps, its unique split flap/dive brake allowing for very steep and accurate diving attacks (70 degrees). Dauntlesses accounted for the sinking of four Japanese carriers at Midway, turning the tide of the Pacific War
Leave your questions and comments and he will answer them during the live broadcast.”
National Naval Aviation Museum Live event, talking about the F4F Wildcat
From the National Naval Aviation Museum’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2291834267784689/
“Join us Thursday (today) at 11 a.m. CT as LtGen Duane Thiessen, USMC (Ret.) President & CEO of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation spotlights the F4F Wildcat. Leave your questions and comments and he’ll answer them during the live broadcast.”
New addition to the Valiant Air Command collection — Beechcraft RU-21A
For the past couple of years, members of the 138th Aviation Company, that was based at Orlando International Airport, have been working to restore a Beechcraft RU-21A (67-18113) for display. This aircraft flew during Desert Storm, with the 138th Aviation Company and served as a platform for signals intelligence gathering with this unit. This aircraft also saw service in Honduras, Egypt and flew missions Counter Narcotic missions.
But recently, the 138th Aviation Company Memorial Inc. board decided to donate the aircraft to the Valiant Air Command. The aircraft was recently moved from Orlando to Titusville, where restoration will continue, with the intent to display at the museum.
Sun N Fun 2020 has been cancelled
It has been announced that Sun N Fun 2020 has been cancelled. Read the post here or in its entirety below:
“For over 45 Years, SUN ‘n FUN has brought millions of aerospace professionals, businesses, supporters and enthusiasts together each spring to celebrate the incredible wonder and limitless opportunities of flight.
In 2014, we proudly unveiled that the annual SUN ‘n FUN event would become the primary fundraiser for the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), our STEM-based learning campus created to Engage, Educate, and Accelerate the Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals. At SUN ‘n FUN, serving our local Lakeland, Florida as well as the global aviation community has always been our ultimate mission.
This year, we will serve those same communities by assisting in the defeat of the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize and acknowledge that this threat has changed the world we live in, and that it is our responsibility to join the fight to bring it to as swift an end as humanly possible.
We stand with our local, state, and national leaders in supporting public health practices that will bring this outbreak to a halt as quickly as possible. Even now, most of our staff are working from home in compliance with social distancing directives, with those that must come in adhering to strict isolation and sanitation policies.
Unfortunately supporting these initiatives will mean that the 2020 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo will be unable to proceed as originally planned. Regardless of the financial impact, for the safety of all, we will move our 46th event to join with the 47th in April of 2021.
The annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo provides over $2 million annually for STEM education programs, flight training and aerospace-related college scholarships, and hands-on learning facilities. Based on the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus, this year-round institution reaches over 50,000 students annually, and provides free resources for educators to assist them in delivering high-quality STEM learning material.
To continue providing these critical resources, our team is working hard on bringing the spectacle and excitement of SUN ‘n FUN to you in the digital world! We will be utilizing the latest technology to host exciting events and content online in new and innovative ways. While we are of course disappointed that our traditional show must wait until 2021, we are invigorated and excited to announce several things to look forward to in the coming weeks in our brand new “SUN ‘n FUN at Home” Series.
We are in the process of a complete overhaul of our website, www.flysnf.org, in order to bring you a brand new digital experience. Here you will find ongoing updates and information on upcoming events, as well as details for current ticket holders and event partners.
We need your help to continue our mission, so please, visit the website and keep in touch with us on our social media channels. We’re already working on making 2021 the best event ever, and we’ll look forward to welcoming you back here next spring to celebrate the return of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo!”
Closures affecting warbirds in Florida
To all of the faithful followers of warbirds, various warbird museums/collections/shows in Florida have enacted various states of closures, limitations or are open. This list is not inclusive of all locations, I will list what I know of and will update this list as possible.
Again, best thing to do is call before travelling to visit.
Updated 31 May 2020
Warbirds Adventure: Currently open.
Fantasy of Flight: The museum “lite” is currently close until the winter season.
Valiant Air Command: The museum is closed.
Air Force Armament Museum: Closed at this time.
National Naval Air Museum: Museum is closed.
Stallion 51: Lots of people like to stop by and they are very accommodating to visitors, not sure if this is still the case.
American Aero Services: Lots of people like to stop by and they are very accommodating to visitors, not sure if this is still the case.
Florida Air Museum: Temporary hours as of May 29, 2020. At this time, we will be open on weekends – Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sundays 12 pm from 4 pm. $10 admission donation for adults 18 and older.
Deland Naval Air Museum: Closed at this time.
Sun N Fun 2020 Warbird Announcement: P-40N “American Dream”
Thom Richards P-40 “American Dream” from Warbird Adventures in Kissimmee will be at Sun N Fun 2020.
