The Fantasy of Flight story began on a "dark and stormy night." In August 1992, the powerful winds of Hurricane Andrew visited the Weeks Air Museum in Miami. Heavy wind is to airplanes what a femme fatale is to a hard-boiled detective: wildly attractive and ultimately destructive. So when Andrew came calling, trouble followed. Its legendary gales blew like the prop-wash of a B-29, scattering airplanes hither and yon. Rains pummeled the hangars like the business end of a Merlin piston, twisting architecture into metallic origami.

However-as is the case in so many stories-the dark night of wind and turmoil gave way to a bright morning of creativity and opportunity. The wind calmed, inventory was taken, airplanes were nursed, and the move began to the "calmer," spacious fields of Polk County, giving birth to Fantasy of Flight.

Thus began many short air hops and long road hauls up Highway 27 bearing the bounty of historic airplanes and all the attendant equipment that make up the "World's Greatest Aircraft Collection" Flash forward to 2009. 16 ½ years after Andrew, the last "Miami" airplane comes home to Fantasy of Flight...

Welcome Home, TBM Avenger

Legendary Navy Torpedo Bomber Joins Fantasy of Flight All-Star Cast

Those lucky enough to be looking to the skies in early February from Miami to Polk City may have spotted an amazing sight - a TBM "Avenger" World War II Torpedo Bomber - buzzing its way home to join part of the world's largest private rare and vintage aircraft collection. Fantasy of Flight founder and creator Kermit Weeks piloted the nearly 70-year-old aircraft in a 75-minute flight at a speed of 165 knots from Miami. "It feels great to have the TBM Avenger home in Polk City along with the rest of the collection," said Weeks. "This bomber played a major role in the victory of World War II and helps to tell the story of the Allies' win in ways that history books simply cannot. It's truly a tangible piece of American history."

The first segment of the three part Living History series proved to be a verifiable success. Hundreds of school children and adults found themselves mesmerized by the true life stories of the Tuskegee Airmen, told by the heroes themselves. Leo R. Gray and Hiram Mann who reunited on February 27 and 28 at Fantasy of Flight. "We are thrilled and honored to welcome the Tuskegee Airmen to Fantasy of Flight to share their experiences as WWII heroes as well as pioneers in the fight for equality," said Fantasy of Flight founder and creator Kermit Weeks. "The opportunity to talk with some of America's first and finest fighter pilots face to face is a real gift not only for aviation and history buffs but for every American."

On March 27 and 28, Fantasy of Flight will present part two of Living History: "A Passionate Pursuit," featuring the WASP-Women Airforce Service Pilots-a spirited squadron of pilots who left their homes and jobs at the height of World War II to serve their country as the first American women to fly for the U.S. Military. Three WASP will take the stage, Betty Blake, Helen Wyatt Snapp and Bernice "Bee" Falk Haydu, sharing their inspiring stories of breaking stereotypes and flying high during WWII. The third event in the "Living History" series will take place May 2 and feature an interactive symposium with legendary World War II Fighter Aces. More details to follow.

Brand New Fantasy Flyers R/C Club
Stages Inaugural Fly-In

On February 21, R/C enthusiasts gathered from near and far to celebrate the inaugural fly-in for the new Fantasy of Flight based R/C club, the Fantasy Flyers. A sunny day was the setting for "a great bunch of airplanes-diverse and fun-ranging from 3-D aerobatic planes to World War I scale planes to a four-engine C-130 model," according to Fantasy Flyers Safety Officer David Dudley. "Everybody flew. Everybody had a good time." Dudley credits the great success of the event to organizer Stephanie Conner and to Steve Thomas of Bob's Hobby Center who coordinated the Fly-In. Thomas has long experience with R/C aircraft and also stages the highly popular R/C element of Fantasy of Flight's annual Roar 'n' Soar. Keep an eye out for the next R/C club event: a WWI era fly-in coming in June 2009!

Attention All Boy Scouts:
Camping and Merit Badge Adventure at Fantasy of Flight

If you are a Boy Scout or know one, you'll want to bring your troops out on March 13-15 for a weekend-long camping adventure. During the stay, scouts will have an opportunity to earn their Aviation memrit badges and rub elbows with some of the top aviation restoration experts in the business. The low-cost event promises big fun and a lifelong memory too! Interested Scouts and Scout leaders, contact Stephanie Conner at sconner@fantasyofflight.com for fees and registration.

Fantasy of Flight's "Gifted Gator" Brad

One of Fantasy of Flight's most delightful smiles lives on the face of Gift Shop Coordinator Brad Amidon, who brings zest and enthusiasm to every task. And he is certainly a young man with tremendous energy! In addition to working at Fantasy of Flight, Brad is a full time student at Polk Community College, preparing to enter the engineering program at University of Florida. Asked what he likes best about his job at Fantasy of Flight, Brad declares, "I love special events because they are fast-paced and exciting. Plus I really enjoy working with Scott and the other managers." Brad's ability to pay attention and react fast was probably developed during his days as a high school champion Greco-Roman wrestler-when he placed 1st in the Southeast Region and 3rd in the nation. Be sure to say hello to Brad next time you drop into the Gift Shop. He's a really nice guy, so we're pretty sure he won't pin you!

And speaking of Gift Shops...

This month's featured items are in stock but going fast, thanks to special pricing: the official Fantasy of Flight ball cap and T-shirt, bundled together for only $14.95. Get in on a great deal by clicking here!

Suppose you owned one of the most produced airplanes of the 20th century and need to find parts to keep it running... No problem. Right? Wrong! Here is one of the unwritten laws of historical aircraft: the more that a plane was produced, the less chance that it survived.

The Polikarpov PO-2 began prototype production in 1927 and-in one form or another-was produced steadily until 1959, with an estimated production run of over 40,000 units. This famous Soviet biplane served an enormous range of purposes, from training to crop dusting, but attained its greatest fame as the chariot of choice for the heroic "Night Witches" of World War II, an all female squadron of wildly courageous nuisance bombers whose single purpose was to deprive the enemy of sleep. Of the tens of thousands PO-2s produced, only a dozen or so survive... and one has been living in the Maintenance Hangar for months as the crew scours the world for parts to make her fly again. With new valves from Poland and plenty of ingenuity, the PO-2's engine now growls in its uniquely Polish accent. Ground tests and engine runs are all done. In a few days, Kermit Weeks will air test her, and she will return to the sky. (To learn more about the PO-2 and the Night Witches, check out the Audio Experience next time you are at Fantasy of Flight."