 2011 Series Honors Heroes
Fantasy of Flight proudly presents Legends & Legacies: A Symposium Series honoring brave American heroes whose personal contributions became part of our country's rich history and helped shape our society.
These intimate symposiums provide the audience with an opportunity to learn first-hand the personal struggles, challenges and accomplishments of these amazing Americans. Although the path was not always easy, they faced their challenges with amazing courage and strength. Don't miss these rare opportunities to meet and celebrate real heroes.
2011 Legends & Legacies Events
February 10-12
They Dared to Fly: Tuskegee Airmen
March 4-5
Breaking All Barriers: The Amazing Women of WWII
April 15-16
Calculated Risk: The Extraordinary Life of Jimmy Doolittle
May 13-14
D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy
June 10-11
The Pacific War: Power and Pursuit
October 14-15
The Great Escape: Heroes Underground |
 Airliner Reflections and Holiday Gift List
You never know what you might encounter on a seemingly normal day! Take today for instance: I was contemplating my holiday gift list, when a concerned aviation fan reached out...
Hello G. Willie,
My family visited the museum in June and absolutely loved it. Great work! I am the webmaster of www.sunshineskies.net, a site about commuter airlines of Florida and will be posting photos of your ex-PBA Martin 404 fuselage. I'd like to include information on future plans for the fuselage. Will it be restored or scrapped? Thanks for any info you can provide and keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
David Henderson
Dear David,
What a terrific question! When I realized I had no answer, I went to the boss. "So is it for restoration or scrap?" I asked.
"It was scrap when I acquired it," said Kermit. "I'm not sure exactly what we will do with it." And then, David, he got a twinkle in his eye... and continued, "I've always wanted to do a guest experience called 'Airline Flight from Hell' where the guest would be forced to sit in an uncomfortable seat in an airport as his flight runs later and later. Then we load them into the airliner, strap them in, and give them a wild ride." He was laughing hard at this point, fully reliving every bad airport/commercial flight experience ever... We started regaling about food and kids kicking the back of seats...
So, in response to your question, the fate of the Martin 404 is uncertain... but it is better off now than before we got it. Who knows? Sometime in the future, you may find yourself lining up for a hellish airline experience in it... (but I'm pretty sure he was just joshing.)
Wishing you blue skies,
G. Willie
Now... back to my Holiday Shopping List...
For my brother Mustang Willie: A Fantasy of Flight Annual Pass
For my pals at the Acme Tall and Quiet Aviator Factory: A Corporate Event at Fantasy of Flight
For all my favorite people: Fantasy of Flight Gift Certificates
Happy Holidays to One and All!
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