This month, Hangar Talk promises some engaging presentations which will take us back in time. Our flying demo features one of our most popular aircraft and a World War Two combat veteran – the Vought F4U-1A Corsair.
The Saturday, March 4, 2023 event has all the makings for a great day.
Here’s What’s Happening During Hangar Talk
Hooray for Hollywood Part III: “Winning Hearts and Minds”
With America at war, the nation’s film industry was busier than ever. Fundraising efforts for the war were among the many roles which Hollywood played in supporting the nation. World War Two was immensely expensive, and the American public had to step up in a big way to help pay for it all. Hollywood stars went on war bond sales tours while Hollywood animators helped convince the populace to pay their income taxes. Newsreels brought information about the war to American theaters, and Hollywood helped boost the morale at home with high numbers of film releases. Many stars also devoted significant effort into entertaining the troops – both at home and overseas.
TheWorld War II Legacy of the 91st Bomb GroupThe museum’s Jim Llano will conclude his series on the 91st Bomb Group – Heavy during its World War II experiences. This month, Jim explores the 91st’s legacy through the stories of its servicemen and the other activities of this highly decorated B-17 Bomb Group. He will conclude his presentation with a brief look at the soon-to-be-installed display wall dedicated to this famed unit.
TED Talk: Making Dreams Come True
Our TED Talk for this month will feature Ted Mount’s inspirational look at one of aviation’s most prolific aircraft designers and inventors, Igor Sikorsky. Before emigrating to the United states, this Ukrainian engineer began his aviation career by building aircraft for the Imperial Russian Army during the Great War. Massive in size, these designs were just a sampling of what was to come. After moving to the United States in 1919, Sikorsky first built flying boats for Pan American Airways before delving into the idea of vertical flight. By 1939, he was perfecting his first helicopter, a mode of transport for which the modern-day company he founded is synonymous with. Ted will look beyond Sikorsky’s many accomplishments to focus on his perseverance and drive for pursuing his dreams – wherever they might take him. Ted will show us how we can follow Sikorsky’s lead – in chasing our own dreams.
Vought F4U-1A Corsair Flying Demo
This month we will fly one of our most popular aircraft – our World War Two combat veteran and movie star, the Vought F4U-1A Corsair.
United States Marine Corps pilots flew the museum’s Corsair in combat over the South and Central Pacific during the Second World War – flying numerous missions in some of the toughest fighting conditions.
The Flying Demo will begin at 12:15pm. Jim Llano will first make a brief presentation to introduce the subject aircraft, which will conclude with the Corsair starting its engine directly in front of the crowd. The aircraft will then taxi away, and while it heads for the runway we will conduct our “Members Only Raffle” which will feature a free flight in the Museum’s Vultee BT-13B Valiant.
We will then thrill to the sight (and sounds) of the Corsair flying over the museum for twenty minutes! Upon its return, guests will be able to ask questions of the vintage fighter’s pilot.
In addition to all of the above, we will have food trucks on hand, our docents will tell you stories about the museum and its world-renowned collection, there will be fun for the kids, and our B-17 will be open for visitors to tour inside. It will be a great way to spend the day at Planes of Fame!
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.
After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.
Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.
