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The American Airpower Museum will be gearing up for the Bethpage Airshow at Jones Beach this Memorial Day weekend.
The museum’s Arsenal of Democracy Warbird events will include a B-25 Mitchell Bomber, Douglas C-47 Skytrain troop transport, Grumman TBM Avenger Torpedo Bomber, North American P-51D Mustang Fighter (pictured) and two AT-6 Texan trainers.
The vintage military aircraft will perform aerial demonstrations over Jones Beach on Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28. If you aren’t headed to Jones Beach, you’ll get the chance to watch these awe-inspiring aircraft take off to perform practice flybys over Republic Airport all day Friday, May 26.
Also, three visiting Navy EA-18G Growlers will be parked on the American Airpower Museum’s ramp as well, subject to other military commitments, museum officials said.
Jeff Clyman, the museum’s president, said the idea for the three-day event is two-fold:
“To honor the men and women of the ‘Greatest Generation’ who built, maintained and piloted the iconic warbirds of yesteryear, in a bold defense of freedom during World War II, as well as active-duty military, reservists and the National Guard, who continue this mission to our present day,” he said.
But, public support for the shows helps the museum in its mission to educate the next generation about American military aviation history, and also helps maintain the museum’s iconic aircraft.
“Help keep ‘em flying,” Clyman said.
If you go
The American Airpower Museum, “Where History Flies,” is located at Republic Airport’s Hanger 3, 1230 New Highway in Farmingdale.
If you go Friday to Monday during Memorial Day weekend, you’ll get the opportunity for flight experiences on one of the museum’s AT-6 Texans, plus the red WACO Biplane.
As a special promotion, every paying museum guest (18 and over) on Friday, Saturday or Sunday is entitled to win a Cockpit USA “made in the USA” leather flight jacket. Cockpit USA, sponsor of the American Airpower Museum, is the official supplier to the United States Air Force of A-2 leather flight jackets.
Parking is free in the museum parking lot along New Highway. Food trucks and ice cream trucks will also be on-site. Hours for all three days are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. No tickets or preregistration required. Regular admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and veterans, $12 for children ages 5-12.
Top: The museum’s North American P-51D Mustang. (courtesy)
