“Many of these photos and documents have never been seen before on a large scale. Through NDSU we hope students, researchers, and the general public can learn more about aviation history in North Dakota and the midwest as a whole.”
aviation museums
A short violent life
The Grumman F6F Hellcat entered service in the Pacific Theater in early fall 1943, yet by early fall 1945, it was relegated to second-line duty. “But what an impact it had in those two short years, sweeping the skies of Japanese aircraft and racking up the highest kill ratio of any World War II fighter,” say officials with the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing.
90th anniversary celebration of Amelia Earhart’s first solo across Atlantic
When Amelia Earhart landed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in May 1932, “no one had ever seen a woman driving a car, let alone flying an airplane or wearing trousers,” said Nicole McElhinney, co-founder of the Amelia Earhart Legacy Association. “Her fearless spirit was revolutionary, particularly for women, and continues to be an inspiration around the world.”
Musketeer takes flight as gateway to Canadian village
A Musketeer that trained Canadian military pilots has a new duty station: Serving as a gateway to the village of Mount Hope, Ontario, which has a rich aviation history.
Expansion planned at antique aeroplane museum
Since it opened in 2007, the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM) in Hood River, Oregon, has expanded four times. And the fifth is in the wings, with museum officials noting they have two more 40,000 to 50,000 square foot buildings on the drawing board.
Wanted: One small airplane, you keep the engine
The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum is planning a new exhibit that celebrates those who fly small aircraft over the water, searching for schools of fish. Museum officials need a small airplane, like a Cub or Cessna, as the centerpiece of the exhibit so kids can climb in and pretend to fly.
Work begins on exhibits for new Amelia Earhart museum
Officials with The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum report that work has begun on the exhibits surrounding “Muriel,” the world’s last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E aircraft, which will be the centerpiece of the new museum at Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport (K59) in Atchinson, Kansas.
Maiden flight of student-built aircraft is a soaring success
Officials at Wings Over the Rockies are celebrating the successful first flight of an RV-12 built by students as part of the museum’s’ education program, Wings Aerospace Pathways.
Aviation historian flies west
Bob Mikesh shared the joy of aviation as a pilot, model builder, National Air and Space Museum curator, and the author of definitive works on Japanese military aviation, as well as other historical aviation topics and museum restoration tutorials.