Kissimmee Air Museum, located at Florida’s Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), has expanded to include not only a new hangar, but also new exhibits and programs.
Warbird Adventures has been offering T-6 flights from the Kissimmee Airport since 1998. It expanded its operation in 2006 by building its first new 10,000-square-foot hangar, which is now home to the Kissimmee Air Museum, WWII Fighter Aircraft Foundations Restoration Center and the T-6 flight operations. The expanded facilities allowed for the expansion of educational exhibits that trace the rise of air power from the predictions of Billy Mitchell in 1924 — that Pearl Harbor would be attacked by the Japanese on a Sunday morning — to the actual attack on Dec. 7, 1941. Included in the new displays are never-before-seen photos taken from a Japanese bomber that give a bird’s eye view of the attack. The new exhibits are developed around World War II artifacts.
Visitors to the museum can witness work being done on the planes, along with the restoration of a rare World War II FW 190 project “Weisse Eins” in the WWII Fighter Aircraft Restoration Center.
The museum also offers new experiences for visitors through its VIP program, “Very Important Planes and Pilots.” Historically significant pilots and planes come to the museum to share their stories throughout the year, making their history accessible to those who want to hear about history from those who made it. Museum officials also note they are dedicated to collecting and recording the stories of World War II veterans who flew or supported flight operations.
Upcoming museum VIP events include the VAC’s WWII C-47 TICO Belle offering flights, several of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) will be at the museum Feb. 28, 2010, to meet and greet along with author Jonna Doolittle (Jimmy Doolittle’s granddaughter), the B-25 “Panchito” will offer flights in March 2010, and a Warbird Formation clinic is slated for April 8-12, 2010.
For more information: WarbirdAdventures.com
