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The Membership Newsletter for The Military Museum November 2019

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Santa is On His Way to the Museum

Albatros D. Va 2 Goxhill Watch Office 3 Holiday Hangar Concert 3 Summer of Flight 4 Runners Runway 4 and Brews 5 Mid-Atlantic Dawn Patrol 5 , Wheels, Air & Auto 6 Creeds Drone Club 6 STEM Exploration Tours 7

Military Aviation Museum www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org Virginia Beach Airport www.VBairport.com Fighter Factory www.FighterFactory.com Biplanes and Brews www.BiplanesandBrews.com

Santa can’t wait to hop on our to come up for the show: Atlantic Coast S Gauge Association, visit the and bring his South N-trak Club, Tidewater O favorite Tidewater Model Railroaders with him to Gauge Association (TOGA), Tidewater Modular the 11th annual PLANES, TRAINS and SANTA Railroad Club (TMRC) (HO scale) and Richard event taking place November 29, 30 and December 1. Schwab (N scale). The groups will set up in the Navy Hangar. The kids and parents all have a great time Waiting for Santa’s arrival at the new time of looking over all the train displays and the Museum’s 10AM is always the hardest part of the weekend. . Everyone lines the runway to await his arrival. Santa expects to spend several hours Friday thru Sunday Mark your calendars and bring the whole talking to hundreds of kids to find out what they family out to kick off the holidays and avoid the want for Christmas. The Marine Corps mall crowds. Kids 17 and under get free admission. Reserve has been invited to be on hand to collect Santa, Planes and Trains, Marines and motorcycles toys and donation for Toys-For–Tots. Stop by the … what’s better than that! q Gift Shop and select an unused and wrapped toy to donate to the Marines. Each kid that donates a toy will get a ride in a motorcycle sidecar that very day! Everyone is looking forward to this November. Planes, Trains & Santa November 29 - December 1 The following model train groups are expected to set PAGE 2 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4

HANGAR HIGHLIGHT

1917 Albatros D.Va

The Military Aviation Museum’s Albatros D.Va was originally built in 1978 by master craftsman Art Williams and his team at Williams Flugzeugbau at Guenzburg, 35 miles east of Augsburg in southern . Williams Flugzeugbau was one of the first companies to build highly accurate Great War reproductions, and go to the expense of making quantity runs of the German lozenge fabric. Our Ranger-engine Albatros D.Va was registered to the Surrey-based Leisure Sport Company in August 1978, and flew alongside several other Great War replicas. Until recently it was displayed at the Museum (FAAM) in Yeovilton, Somerset, England. The Museum’s Albatros D.Va is painted in the markings of D.Va D5397/17, flown during December 1917 to January 1918 by Lt Hans von Hippel of Jasta 5. It was acquired by the Museum in late 2012. On 17 May 2016, it received its airworthiness certificate from the FAA. q VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4 PAGE 3

The Goxhill “Watch Office” is Coming to Life … Written By Mike Potter

The WWII control tower, relocated from Goxhill England to the Virginia Beach airport is opening to the public. After two years of interior work, restoration, the retro-fitting of appropriate temperature and humidity controls, and the addition of extensive original period equipment and furnishings, the museum is starting to experiment with the “soft opening” of this historic building to learn how to create the most powerful guest experience possible. Many of our guests are largely unaware of the historical significance of the Goxhill Airbase, and future exhibits will focus on this. Just months after Pearl Harbor, men and machines were beginning to flood into England as part of the “Friendly Invasion”, and the base at Goxhill, England was the very first of hundreds of such bases turned over to or built for the United States Army Air Forces. Moreover, Goxhill is the first independent home in England of what was to become “The Mighty Eighth.” Goxhill was an initial and crucial part of the beginning of the long road to Victory in Europe. Getting to this stage has involved thousands of volunteer hours in research, fabrication, and exhibit planning. While there is still much to be done, the initial results have garnered high praise from museum professionals and guests alike. Our visitors will be able to reflect on the use of RAF / USAAF Goxhill by both services and countries as well as learn much more than in typical museums about what life was like on an airbase and on the “Home Front” in England. There are literally hundreds of period pieces now on exhibit with the hope that the way the rooms are arranged will help guests feel like they are in a working World War II control tower, not a museum. Museum volunteers built the very large main control room desk based on period photographs, and also constructed many of the exhibits for the building. Also, our relationship with the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk brought us a selection of high- quality purpose-built museum display cabinets that blend in perfectly with the exhibits. If you have not seen this building and its upgraded contents lately, you owe it to yourself to see the many exhibit details that our guests will be telling their friends about for years to come. q

Our Holiday Hangar Concert Returns for a Third Year

Start the holiday season with fun for the entire family! Come listen to the sounds of Symphonic Artistry on Sunday, December 8th from 5:30PM- 8PM (Doors open at 5PM) FREE Tickets are available in advance at Eventbrite. Or contact the Museum Gift Shop at: 757-721-PROP (7767). Enjoy Food Trucks and beverages for all ages. q

Free & Open to the Public Sunday, December 8th PAGE 4 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4

MUSEUM EVENT WRAP UP

Summer of Flight Comes to a Close

The following is a photo essay of our special Summer of Flight celebrating the museum’s 11th anniversary. We hope you got a chance to come out and enjoy the shows. Look for us again next year. Don’t miss out!

Fall 5K Runners Runway

Fall is in the air, and that means weekend mornings' runners and walkers swarm the runway with festive fundraiser events. Returning this year for their annual events are the 9-11 Heroes 5K run by the Travis Manion Foundation; Joggin' for Frogmen 5K run and walk operated by the Navy SEAL Foundation; and the Frick & Frack Breast Cancer 5K run for local families affected by this disease. New this year is the Out of the Darkness walk to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention and treatment. Here are a few photos from several of these events. Outdoors in the fall… in Pungo at the aviation museum… awesome! q VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4 PAGE 5

Cleared for Takeoff: Biplanes and Brews, 2019 Written By Jonathan R. Lichtenstein

As dawn broke over the Pungo , Also on hand during the weekend were time and place became indistinct. Was it a turf members of Tidewater R/C, Academy of Model runway somewhere west of the French salient Aeronautics (AMA) Charter No. 641. As part onto which the hangar doors had been opened? of the 8th-annual Mid-Atlantic Dawn Patrol, The absence of marching feet belied the fact it participants displayed an impressive array of was October of 2019, and not the autumn of remote-control scale models to recreate some 1919. However, even as the beleaguered armies of the more daring maneuvers reminiscent of of Europe withdrew their troops from the front man’s first forays into aerial combat. Besides lines a century ago, assuring an end to the “War sky pilots, we observed the pilots of fine antique to End All Wars,” the distant echoes of the “Guns motorcars from the Tidewater Region of the of August” could still be heard from the fields of Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), the Military Aviation Museum, in the course of including Mr. Samuel Kern’s 1925 Franklin, Mr. this year’s Biplanes and Brews. Ken Talley’s 1929 Buick Model 47, Mr. David Curl’s 1929 Ford Model A Huckster, and Mr. On display was the latest addition to the Tim Hund’s 1921 Locomobile Type 48. They museum’s stable of colorful WWI-era flying were joined by the Hucks Starter of the Military machines, a rare Thomas-Morse S-4 Scout of Aviation Museum, built on the chassis of a 1918, restored initially between 1955 and 1972 genuine 1919 Ford Model TT. by Mr. Roger Freeman and his late father, Mr. Among other guests at this year’s event were Ernest Freeman. This advanced single-seat talented vocalist Ms. Theresa Eaman, the ladies trainer of the First World War was dubbed of the Manhattan Dolls, and the musicians of the “Tommy” by pilots of the day. Due to the the Grace Street Seven, a period jazz septet. Ms. prevailing winds, the S-4 was scratched from Eaman gave a touching rendition of “The Star- the flight roster for the weekend, but it was the Spangled Banner,” before commencement of Mid-Atlantic Dawn Patrol pleasure of Mr. Mike Spalding, Chief Pilot of the flight operations on Saturday and Sunday. Her Fighter Factory, to demonstrate for guests the voice also helped to encourage the convivial The Mid-Atlantic Dawn Patrol, hosted by Tidewater Scout’s original 80hp nine-cylinder Le Rhône atmosphere inside of the museum’s Army R/C, the local chapter of the Academy of Model 9C . This was run in tandem Hangar where patrons found on tap an array Aeronautics (AMA), is a 5-day event featuring radio with a Gnome rotary engine of similar vintage, of craft beers and ciders. Eight different micro- controlled model . What is unique about this overseen by the technicians of the Fighter breweries served up samples of beverages simple show is that in contrast to the flight operations conducted Factory, lending its distinctive exhaust note to and complex, pouring into commemorative by our Museum’s veteran WWI aircraft, the R/C pilots the general cacophony of sound on the ramp. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 demonstrate the full potential of these ancient designs by engaging in aerial , and exciting close-calls. R/C pilots from around the country travel to attend. This year, over 45 pilots and model planes made the pilgrimage to join the fun. The planes ranged from small scale models all the way up to half-scale monsters. Many of the WWI radio control planes are one-third scale, with -spans of over ten feet. The ½ scale models range from 12 to over 20-foot wing-spans! This 8th annual event is a great addition to our Biplanes & Brews Air Show. All the RC flyers had a grand time flying and embellishing their tales of lore. Come join us for next year’s edition of the Dawn Patrol! q PAGE 6 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4

Wings, Wheels, Air & Auto Creeds Elementary Drone Club

The 46th Annual Wings & Wheels Automotive Classic hosted by the Tidewater Region of the Antiques Automobile Club of America (TRAACA) held their antique automobile car show on a beautiful September day. This is the eleventh year in a row that this classic car event has been held here at the museum. Judges viewed a wide selection of choice vintage cars. Numerous Here at the Military Aviation Museum, computer programming skills as they code their others chose just to attend and be seen by all the car we celebrate the history of flight as well as the drones to fly set paths at the push of a button. enthusiasts. The crowd waited as judges picked their future of flight! We have partnered with Creeds This week, they programmed their drones to fly choice for the best in each category. Win, lose or just Elementary School to test out a drone after to a specific point, do a flip or two, fly back to the showing up, the beautiful weather, Summer of Flight school club. Drones can be flown for fun, but starting point, and land. They are also mastering operations and antique cars made for a gorgeous and they are also being used by private companies, fun day at the Museum. free flight skills as they race through hoops, the military, and emergency responders. The around cones, and under tables in various A few weeks later in October, the Porsche Club of possibilities for this branch of aviation are obstacle courses. Tidewater hosted their 9th Air and Auto Classic car seemingly endless. show on our ramp. The weather was warm and sunny So far, the club has been successful, and Our after school club is a shortened version and enthusiasm was widespread as the show progressed. of the popular summer camp course. One Creeds would like to provide additional sessions Beautiful Porsches, Teslas and other modern classics later in the school year. We would love to take our rumbled onto the ramp for judging! Food trucks kept day each week, our volunteers head to Creeds drones to other schools and introduce as many the guests fed while listening to the live band and sounds and introduce students to drone piloting. Ten students as possible to drone piloting! If your of the Museum’s biplanes. Convertibles, car buffs, music second and third grade students are learning and just seem to go together. q how to program and fly Parrot Mambo and school is interested, contact the museum at Rolling Spider drones. Students are learning (757) 721-7767. q VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4 PAGE 7

THE PAST MEETS THE FUTURE

Now Offering Three New STEM Exploration Tours

These" tours tell thematic stories about the people and planes that made history during World War II, Biplanes Continued using hands-on materials pint glasses and helping spirits to soar, even as the museum’s aircraft flew yet higher out of doors. and our warbirds as actors Brews this year were provided by Smartmouth Brewing (Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA), to bring history to life. Parkway Brewing (Salem, VA), Stone Brewing (San Diego, CA), Reaver Beach Brewing (Virginia Beach), New Realm Brewing (, GA), Reason Beer (Charlottesville, VA), Pleasure " House Brewing (Virginia Beach), and Potter’s This school year, teachers have new tour that dominated the skies in the early to Craft Cider (Free Union, VA). New for 2019, offerings to choose from for their students! the fighters that transformed World War II. the Military Aviation Museum offered guests a Three new STEM Exploration Tours have been refreshing non-alcoholic option in the form of Finally, Victory Through Flight explores developed; each are aligned to the Virginia ice-cold root beer floats. Standards of Learning and integrate elements the impact of aviation on military strategy as Our patrons’ thirst for these events guarantees of science and history. These tours tell thematic well as the impact on the home fronts during we shall return in 2020 with an even more stories about the people and planes that made World War II by learning about The Battle of history during World War II, using hands-on Britain, the Battle of Midway, and D-Day. ambitious schedule. None of this would be materials and our warbirds as actors to bring possible without the dedication of the Military On these tours, students will have a chance history to life. Aviation Museum’s staff, the expertise of the to pass around various artifacts including fabric mechanics and pilots of the Fighter Factory, In Untold Stories, students discover some samples and gas masks, turn a replica air raid and the commitment of the museum’s corps of the men and women who shaped the course siren, and demonstrate the Bernoulli principle. of volunteers. Their combined efforts ensure of history during World War II through their contributions to life on the front and at These hands-on, story based elements the continued safety of our operations, which home, including the female pilots and factory are not limited to school groups! Interactive enables the public to enjoy daily access to one workers, the Tuskegee Airmen who paved the Display Stations will be added to the hangars in of world’s most extensive collections of historic way for black men and women in the military, the near future. They are portable stations that aeroplanes. We hope the persistent enthusiasm and the daring Russian Night Witches. provide guests opportunities to interact with for such occasions will be enough to persuade you to join us at the Military Aviation Museum Innovation and Transformation is a STEM the same hands-on materials as school groups. focused tour that weaves history and science Volunteers will be able to engage with guests for next year’s season of flights from the Pungo together as students trace the innovation and in new and meaningful ways that bring history Aerodrome. Mark your calendars now: the next key design changes throughout early aviation to life and provide an even more memorable edition of Warbirds Over the Beach will be 15–17 from the Wright Brothers’ flyer to the biplanes experience for visitors! q May, 2020! q NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID VIRGINIA BEACH, VA PERMIT NO. 235 Membership Newsletter for the Military Aviation Museum ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED 1341 Princess Anne Road Virginia Beach, VA 23457 (757) 721-PROP

Open Daily 9:00 am - 5:00 p.m.

Piper NE-1 Super Cub “Glimpy" Join us for a great time dining and dancing. Jump, jive and swing the night away! night the swing and jive Jump, dancing. and dining time great a for us Join

FEB Come dressed in your finest vintage fashions, alongside your sweetheart, to the museum. museum. the to sweetheart, your alongside fashions, vintage finest your in dressed Come

Dance Hangar Band Big 2020 15, February

g of great holiday music! holiday great of g evenin an for us Join 5:00PM. at open Doors 8:30PM. at ends and

DEC

This festive occasion is FREE to the public, with tickets available in advance. The celebration begins at 5:30PM 5:30PM at begins celebration The advance. in available tickets with public, the to FREE is occasion festive This

Concert Hangar Holiday

December 8, 2019 8, December The Tidewater Division of the National Model Railroad Association hosts this 9th-annual Model Train Show! Train Model 9th-annual this hosts Association Railroad Model National the of Division Tidewater The

NOV

Free from 9:00AM to 5:00PM to children 17 and under, with a paying adult. Santa arrives each day at 10:00AM. 10:00AM. at day each arrives Santa adult. paying a with under, and 17 children to 5:00PM to 9:00AM from Free

Santa & Trains Planes, November 29 – December 1, 2019 2019 1, December – 29 November

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