News from Carolinas Aviation Museum

From the Carolinas Aviation Museum

The CAM News. A changing newsletter for a museum on the move!

Carolinas Aviation Museum Library is named in honor of Dolph Overton, an American ace pilot and native of South Carolina who upon retirement, donated many artifacts to the Carolinas Aviation Library.

Dolph recently suffered a stroke and was rushed to Wake Hospital Emergency. He is currently recovering in rehab and if all goes well he will come home and have home-care for a few weeks.

Dolph has contributed so much to the museum, we wish him the best.

Red Tail Exhibit Returns to CAM!

The Red Tails Exhibit is returning to CAM February 26 through Saturday March 2nd. This exhibit generated record crowds at the museum last year and we're looking forward to a great week.

The goal of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron's RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit is to share with everyone the inspiring legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen - America's first black military pilots and their crewmen. Their courage, determination and ability to triumph over adversity during World War II can serve to inspire others about how to succeed today.

We're excited to have them back again this year. Although the The actual Red Tail Mustang is currently in maintenance, we will have at least 1 (and possibly 2) P-51 Mustangs here for the event. Watch for more information on our website and in the media.

CAM Receives NASA Artifacts!

Emergency Escape Baskets

In a key acquisition of space history, an emergency escape basket - designed to whisk astronauts away from the launch pad in event of trouble - will become part of the permanent collection at the Carolinas Aviation Museum. This is an example of just one of the several artifacts and traveling exhibits that NASA will be sending to CAM over the next months. Stay tuned for more details!

CAM Focusing on Education!

Basics of Flight Wall

One of the cornerstones of any museum is education and Carolinas Aviation Museum is making that a priority. In addition to educational displays like the one above, we are working hard to select instructors and develop curricula complete, with scripts and guides for educational tours and special programs like an Aviation Merit Badge program for Scouts. These are the first steps in what will continue to be a major focus in the future.

Smithsonian Affiliate Ceremony scheduled for February 14th!

We mentioned recently that the Carolinas Aviation Museum was recently given the honor of becoming a Smithsonian Affiliate.

This is a tremendous honor given to only six institutions in North Carolina. The primary benefits of the affiliation for CAM are resources sharing opportunities and assistance with educational programs; technical information for the care, preservation, and safety of exhibits; and professional development opportunities.

We're excited about this recognition and on February 14th, the director of the Smithsonian will be at CAM to make the presentation.

Museum Founders Letter

Dear Members

High lights of the years gone by.

Looking back at February, 1993

Our CHAC member's trip to the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C in February, 1993 was a great trip. We not only had A VIP guided tour of the Air and Space museum, but was also treated to a tour through Silver Hill, storage and restoration center for the Air and Space museum.

(above) CHAC Members at the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum and Silver Hill, storage and restoration center for the Air and Space museum.

The B-29 " ENOLA GAY" was being restored at Silver Hill.

Our first guest speaker of the year was, the Aviation Director of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Mr. Jerry Orr. Mr. Orr spoke at our monthly dinner meeting at Gus's 49'er Restaurant. As I have written before, CHAC "Carolinas Aviation Museum" would not exist if it was not for the support and guidance of Mr. Orr. Mr. Orr gave an inspiring talk and a update on the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport and some expansion projects.( The Charlotte Business Journal selected Aviation Director Jerry Orr as its Business Person of the year for 2012) Attendance at this meeting was over 100 members and guests.

Mr. Jenks Caldwell, owner of Charlotte Aircraft and his son, Jenks Caldwell Jr. gave us 3 aircraft in February. A Lockheed P-80 jet fighter ( A USMC version a TO-1) which was America's first operational jet fighter. Plus a very rare straight-wing North American F-84 jet fighter. We also were given a replica of the 1902 Wright Brothers Glider. (The Glider is now in the main terminal at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport)

(above) P-80 (TO-1) and F-84 at Charlotte Aircraft

F-84 in November, 1995. The unveiling of the newly restored F-84. From Left to right , Floyd Wilson, Korean War ace Dolph Orverton, The F-84 was restored in the markings of his Aircraft in the Korean War.( next) Aviation Director of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport Jerry Orr, unveils the aircraft,(next) Robert Bob Morgan, Pilot of the WWII B-17 Memphis Belle and Pat McCrory our new North Carolina Governor,(in 1995 he was elected Mayor of Charlotte and was Mayor until 2009)

Don and D. Creason supplied the trucking, lifting equipment and man power in July picking up and delivering the aircraft to our Hangar.

Our membership was over 600.

Sincerely,

Floyd S. Wilson

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101 Years Ago This Month

From the CAM Library. More ads from the early years of aviation. This one is from February 1912!

Zoom in on your computer for some of the fine print.