Take A Ride On Hairless Joe At Wurtsmith Air Museum

PRESS RELEASE

BELLEVILLE, MICH. (August 14, 2023) – Experience a ride that thousands of Allied troops took during World War II on a C-47 airplane on August 19-20 at the Wurtsmith Air Museum located at 4071 E Van Ettan Street, Oscoda, MI 48750. Celebrating 100 years of aviation in Oscoda and 70 years since naming Wurtsmith AFB, and the 30th anniversary of the base closure, the Wurtsmith Air Museum will host a two-day fly-in and pancake breakfast from 8am until 11am each day with the Museum open from 11am until 3pm each day. Visitors can also take a quick ride around the pattern in the C-47, an aircraft that pays homage to the heroic crews operating in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater of World War II.

For thrill-seekers desiring a once-in-a-lifetime experience, rides on the C-47 are available at 10:00 am and 11:00 am on both August 19th and 20th. This short introductory ride called “Fly the Pattern”, is $95.00 per person. You can book it HERE or take a chance and walk up the day of the flight. The C-47, Hairless Joe, is owned and operated by the Yankee Air Museum and was one of the most vital pieces of military equipment in winning the war according to General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The C-47 Skytrain was developed from the Douglas DC-3 civilian airliner. One of the most mass-produced aircraft in history with 11,000 manufactured before and during WWII, there are still 172 of the aircraft flying today. Also known as the Gooney Bird, the C-47 was built to last.

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The Wurtsmith Air Museum is based on the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Oscoda, Michigan, which served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. Since its establishment in 1923, Wurtsmith played an important role in World War II, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf War, hosting the 134th Army Air Force Base Fighter Unit and 379th Bombardment Wing, respectively.  Wurtsmith was selected for closure under the 1991 Base Realignment and Closure decision and was officially closed on June 30, 1993. For information on Wurtsmith Air Museum, visit www.wurtsmithairmuseum.net.

About Yankee Air Museum

Established in 1981 the Yankee Air Museum is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization.  The Yankee Air Museum dedicates itself to educating individuals through the history of American
aeronautics, aerospace industry and its associated while inspiring generations through personal experiences to instill pride in our national accomplishments. Yankee Air Museum, located at 47884 D Street, Belleville, Michigan on the grounds of historic Willow Run Airport. Visit  www.yankeeairmuseum.org to discover more or call 734-483-4030.

Angela Decker

Angela Decker, from McPherson, Kansas, discovered her passion for aviation after earning a Master’s in Military History from Norwich University in 2011. Since 2012, she has volunteered with vintage aviation groups, excelling as a social media content creator and coordinator. Angela has coordinated aviation and WWII events, appeared as Rosie the Riveter, and is restoring a Stearman aircraft. She is the Operations Logistics Coordinator at CAF Airbase Georgia and an accountant with a degree in Economics from the University of Georgia. Her son, Caden, shares her love for aviation and history and is studying Digital Media Arts.

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