The Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s Douglas AD-5 Skyraider left Texas Tuesday to join the Commemorative Air Force’s Boeing B-29 Superfortress “FIFI” on the CAF AirPower History Tour in Florida. The Skyraider, owned by the Addison, Texas-based museum, will be at Lakeland, Fla. today and Thursday (11 and 12 March), then on to Titusville, Fla., for the TICO Warbird Airshow this weekend (13-15 March).

The plane, given the bureau number 135152, was delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1955. It served with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Twelve (VAW 12) from November 1956 through December 1960. The next assignment was with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Eleven (VAW 11) from May 1961 through November 1962. It was retired from Navy service in 1963. In 2008, the museum added 135152 to its collection. The paint scheme is representative of AD-5s serving in the USN.

To book a ride aboard the Skyraider in Florida, call 972-380-8800972-380-8800, ext. 100

Sun N Fun has announced that the historic P-38 Glacier Girl will be appearing at this year’s show.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fantasy of Flight Takes a Bold Next Step on Its Journey
POLK CITY, FL (March 4, 2014) – Fantasy of Flight owner, Kermit Weeks, announced today that effective Sunday, April 6, the attraction will be closing its doors as a public attraction and will focus on its private event business and the design and development of a new future destination attraction. “Although we are located just 20 minutes west of Walt Disney World, we’re currently outside the center of mass tourism and not perceived of as a destination.  We have a great product, but people have a misperception of what we offer,” said Weeks. “After 18 years of being in operation, it’s time we close the attraction and move forward toward creating the vision for what I know Fantasy of Flight can become,” Weeks told employees today.

Fantasy of Flight will close the daily attraction and focus on its successful events business. It will also turn the facility into what it was originally designed for, which is a restoration and maintenance facility that will be needed to build future attraction elements.  For those who wish to enjoy the historical aspects of aircraft, plans are to open an aspect of the collection in a reduced capacity and admission price later this year.

While saddened that closing the attraction will necessitate a reduction in workforce, Weeks is optimistic that his long-term vision and future product will mean far more jobs and greater impact to Polk County.  “We have great employees,” said Weeks, “and will be working with several local, state and private agencies in the upcoming weeks in order to offer our employees assistance and training for the transition.” An event-focused staff will be retained as the facility continues to host weddings, meetings and corporate events, including team building and birthday parties via the Wing Walk Air Confidence Course & Zip Line.

Weeks assured, “This isn’t the end of Fantasy of Flight, it’s just the next step on the company’s journey to become what it was always meant to be – a quality attraction that uses entertainment as a means to an end for self-discovery and self-transformation. Think of this as a caterpillar going into its cocoon. We expect to re-emerge as a brand-new butterfly!”

Groups that are currently booked for admittance to the attraction after April 6 will be issued refunds (including deposits). Groups currently contracted for Wing Walk Air only and/or private events will not be affected by these changes. Annual pass holders will receive a pro-rated refund based on the date of purchase, and refund checks will be mailed to the pass holder’s address on file via USPS beginning April 8.  If you are an annual pass holder with questions or to update your mailing address, please contact Brittani Taylor at btaylor@fantasyofflight.com.