Sunday, October 09, 2011

New Jersey: Millville Aviation Celebration lands on October 15th. Millville Municipal Airport (KMIV)


MILLVILLE — The Millville Army Airfield Museum is hosting its third annual Aviation Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Rare World War II aircrafts, military aircrafts, homemade airplanes, and classic aircrafts will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum.

“This is a static display with World War II aircraft and some EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) planes on display,” said Lisa Jester, museum executive director. “This is not an airshow, but there are plenty of exciting and educational things to experience at the celebration.”

The aircraft display will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and Millville Airport’s role in the U.S. War Department in 1941.

Many of the planes on display are from Tim Duffy’s private Warbird collection.

“Duffy keeps the collection at a hangar at our airport, but they aren’t regularly on display,” Jester said. “It’s heartbreaking for us that we can’t keep them on display normally, but Duffy has been so generous in offering us the chance to display them for the celebration.”

Most notably, Duffy’s P-47 Thunderbolt, “No Guts, No Glory,” has significance at the air base, as dozens were kept there for the first half of the 1940s.

Only 10 original Thunderbolts exist today, according to Chuck Wyble, museum president.

“We are proud to have this one at Millville Airport to commemorate its history,” Wyble said.

Also on display are two B-25 Mitchell Bombers, the FG-1D “Marine’s Dream,” the Mk 1X Supermarine Spitfire, one or two P-51 Mustangs, several North American AT-6/SNJ Texans, a U.S. Coast Guard Widgeon, a Piper L4-H Grasshopper, multiple L-Birds, a Vultee BT13 Valient, and a number of Primary Trainers, all restored and ready for the public.

Though the event is not an airshow, like the event last May, Jester said that attendees can expect to see some planes off the ground.

“If the pilots come in, they’ll probably be taking the planes up as well,” Jester said. “As long as the weather is good.”

If it’s not, the rain date is Sunday, Oct. 16.

Reenactment groups will also be on hand, as well as bounce equipment for children, and 30 vendors with food or information on their respective business.

“Kids will love the event because they can get up close and personal with the aircrafts,” Jester said.

Jester added that each year Boeing has been cooperative in sending out a Chinook CH-47 helicopter.

“Usually, they can be seen, but not toured,” Jester said. “If Boeing is willing to bring out the Chinook — they have been in the past — attendees can go in it and see how it works. We hope we can make that happen.”

Jester also stressed that the museum building is open and that the steel received from 9/11 is on display.

“This (event) is a great opportunity to anyone to come view our 9/11 steel beam that we received last month,” Jester said. “Our display is completed and open.”

The museum is located at 1 Leddon St. Admission to the event is $5.

Contact Lisa Jester at 856-327-2347 for more information.

http://www.nj.com

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