PRESS RELEASE
American Airpower Museum will kick off summer 2025 with a “Legends of Airpower Weekend” by flying its warbirds in the “Four Leaf” Jones Beach Air Show, on Memorial day weekend, May 24 and 25, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Honoring the museum’s 25th anniversary year, AAM will carry this theme with local events throughout the summer and fall.
AAM’s own World War II Legends of Airpower warbirds, flying in the weekend air show include a Douglas C-47 Skytrain, North American P-51D Mustang, Curtiss P-40M Warhawk “Flying Tiger,” Grumman TBM-3E Avenger torpedo bomber, North American AT-6D Texan and WACO UPF-7 Biplane. AAM’s Aero L-39 Albatros jets will periodically fly as well. Their North American B-25 Mitchell bomber will be on display but not flying. Complementing the flyable aircraft will be AAM’s collection of Republic Aviation Static Displays, including an F-84, F-105D and ever-popular A-10A Warthog.
But that’s not all folks! The B-29 DOC Flight Experience returns with flights and tours on their legendary Boeing Superfortress at the museum at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York. “It’s a tremendous privilege to welcome DOC and its crew to American Airpower Museum this Memorial Day weekend,” said Scott Clyman, AAM Director of Operations. “The B-29’s visit honors the men and women who built, maintained and flew these legendary warbirds during World War II. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to get up close, tour and even take a once-in-a-lifetime flight aboard one of only two airworthy B-29s in the world. The B-29 DOC is a true legend of American airpower and a powerful tribute to all those who contributed to the allied victory that ended World War II eighty years ago.” Ground and cockpit tours are available Wednesday through Friday, May 21-23, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last ground tour ticket sold at 3:30 p.m.). B-29 DOC Flight Experience rides will be available Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 24-26 at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., all three days, followed by ground and cockpit tours 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. all three days. Flight tickets are on sale now at www.b29doc.com/rides. Tickets for ground and cockpit tours will be available for purchase at the event. Admission for the ground and cockpit tour event will be $5 per person, plus the purchase of admission from AAM (attendees must purchase a Museum ticket and cockpit tour ticket to gain ramp access and see the B-29).
As Long Island’s only operationally flying living history museum, AAM is proud to preserve the area’s aviation history by celebrating its 25th year of operation. AAM honors both aircraft and the end of WWII, but also the men and women in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area who contributed to the “Arsenal of Democracy” with their incredible work ethic. This included plants at Republic Aviation, Curtiss in Long Island, NJ, and Buffalo, Sperry Gyroscope of Lake Success, Grumman of Bethpage, Grumman’s subcontracting manufacturers General Motors/Eastern Aviation in NJ and upstate NY, Vought-Sikorsky in CT, and Pratt & Whitney of CT. Just some of the massive industrial complexes based in our local region.
For the Jones Beach Air Show Operations, AAM will fly the C-47, P-51, P-40, TBM-3E and possibly two AT-6Ds. Next is AAM’s C-47, joining a C-17 Globemaster flying up from U.S. Air Force Joint Base Charleston South Carolina. The C-47 and C-17 will fly together during AAM’s flight period each day for an “Airlift Heritage Flight,” paying tribute to veterans and showcasing US airlift global reach capability, past and present. This incredible legacy began with C-47s, highlighted by General Eisenhower as one of the four pieces of equipment vital to winning WWII 80 years ago, and carried on by today’s capabilities of airlifters like the C-17 Globemaster, the backbone of today’s combat operations around the globe.
You won’t want to miss the United States Navy’s presence on AAM’s ramp! America’s Navy EA-18G Growler Demonstration Team, plus F/A-18E/F Rhino Super Hornet Demonstration Team, will both touch down on our ramp Thursday, May 22nd and operate from AAM during their Jones Beach Air Show flight performances. Where else can you get up close and personal with these incredible supersonic jet fighters?
Watch AAM’s awe-inspiring aircraft take off for practice flybys over Republic on Friday, May 23rd. Join AAM to catch more action Saturday and Sunday, as warbirds and Navy jets lift off to fly in the air show. Flight experiences will be available each day on one of AAM’s AT-6Ds, plus our popular red WACO Biplane. Park FREE in AAM’s lot or along New Highway. Food and Ice Cream trucks are onsite. AAM is also open Monday, Memorial Day, closing at 4:00 p.m. Regular Museum hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and veterans and $12 for children ages 5-12. Free 4 & under. Library passes not valid from May 21-26.
