Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum reports that they will be celebrating the 26th anniversary of AirFest over this Labor Day weekend.
WHEN: AirFest returns to a four-day format, September 2-5, 10 AM to 4 PM daily.
WHERE: NASW Aviation Museum, 500 Forrestal Road, at New Jersey’s Cape May Airport
COST: $16 adults, $14 kids 12-3, Under 3 Free
WHAT: This year’s event will feature aircraft from the Military Aviation Museum (MAM) & Fighter Factory in Virginia Beach, VA. The MAM is home to one of the largest private collections of World War I and World War II era military aircraft in the world.
Two new aircraft are expected to attend this year’s event, the Corsair and B-25 Mitchell.
Designed by Vought Aircraft Company, the “gull-wing” Corsair was one of the most powerful, unique and recognizable fighter aircraft of the war. The Japanese referred to as “Whistling Death.” MAM’s Corsair was delivered late in the war (1945) and was in storage for quite some time subsequently being one of the lowest time Corsairs know. The “Skull and Bones” represents the famous VF-17 from the Pacific Theatre.
The B-25 Mitchell medium bomber launched into history in the opening months of WWII. As the entire air bombardment concept owed itself to Gen. “Billy” Mitchell, the B-25 is the only U.S. aircraft to be named after a person. Just four short months after Pearl Harbor, Gen. James Doolittle led a one-way raid from the decks of the carrier Hornet against the Japanese Empire with B-25s. It is said that the emotional impact of the raid on both nations was far greater than the actual damage inflicted. B-25s served in all theaters of the war, and many survived the war as transports and cargo carriers.
The PBY Catalina is also expected to attend this event. It was an American flying boat of 1930’s design that was used in multiple roles during World War II. Uses include observation, night attack, maritime patrol, bomber, air-sea rescue, and anti-submarine aircraft. Catalina’s fought on all the world’s oceans and were instrumental in denying the Axis forces the use of the sea.
The 26th Anniversary AirFest is also expected to include the museum’s collection of over 27 planes and helicopters, presentations by Tuskegee Airman Dr. Eugene Richardson Jr. and the F-14 Tomcat Radio Show/Podcast.
The United States Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police, and AtlantiCare will also be expected to support AirFest with helicopters. Additional highlights include a fly in by the Aeroclub of Pennsylvania, classic cars, a visit by the 501st Legion Northeast Remnant (Star Wars), vendors, exhibitors, live music, food trucks, beer garden, and even free face painting & caricatures.
For more info, click HERE or call (609) 886-8787.
Travel Gal Kim Swidler 