It's true that there is plenty to see at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum's World War II Weekend.
But just wait until you see it from the air!

This June you have the rare opportunity to fly in one or more of the most famous and successful aircraft of World War II.

Don't wait too long to decide, though; seats will fill quickly and some may sell out prior to the show.  So make your reservations early - he who hesitates gets grounded!

Listen to a high-flying tune while you decide!

Updated 12-22-22

FLY ABOARD THE PLANES THAT TURNED CADETS INTO PILOTS...
 

U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS PRIMARY TRAINER
FAIRCHILD PT-19 CORNELL

Back again this year, yet another legendary primary trainer, Bay Aviation's Fairchild PT-19 "Cornell", joins the ride fleet.  The trim little open-cockpit monoplane was designed for the US Army Air Corps as a more up-to-date, modern primary trainer with higher landing speeds and more responsive handling.  It was used by the USAAF, RAF, and RCAF.  Inexpensive, simple to maintain, and virtually vice-free, the PT-19 truly lived up to its nickname - the "Cradle of Heroes."

MID-ATLANTIC AIR MUSEUM

Perhaps you would prefer the powerful SNJ-4B "Texan", designated the AT-6 by the Army, and "Harvard" in the UK and the British Commonwealth.  This plane was often the last step in flight training - a plane so powerful and nimble that it was actually used by many countries as a fighter and bomber! It is equipped with  .30 caliber machine guns and bomb racks, for the purpose.  A Mexican T-6 actually sank a German U-Boat!

If you want to emulate the Airmen who qualified through Primary and Advanced flight training, then were assigned to pilot a multi-engine bomber or transport , the "Bobcat'" may have been your next mount.  Cadets who "washed out" of  pilot training might also be assigned to specially equipped UC-78's for navigator training .

The US Army Air Corp began purchasing the Cessna UC-78  from the Cessna Company of Wichita, Kansas in 1939.  It was the military version of Cessna's first multi-engine and retractable landing gear aircraft, the T-50  commercial light transport. It was equipped with  two Jacobs R-755-9 245 HP radial engines and could carry a pilot and four trainees .

In 1942, the U. S. Army Air Force adopted the T-50 as its light personnel transport, and designated it as the C-78 (later UC-78). It also officially became the “Bobcat”, although popularly known to Army Air Force personnel by the nickname“Bamboo Bomber” . This was because the airframe consisted of a fabric covered fuselage made of steel tubing , while the wing and tail frames were made from spruce wood.

The Bobcat was used by not only the Army Air Force, but also by the Navy as a JRC-1 , and the Royal Canadian Air Force as the Crane I.

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain was a military transport developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. C-47s had many roles, from dropping paratroopers in Europe, to transporting troops in the jungles of New Guinea and Burma to airlifting supplies to the embattled American forces during the Battle of Bastogne. Their most influential role in military aviation may have been flying The Hump from India into China and later in the Berlin Airlift.
 
The former "Yankee Doodle Dandy" of the Yankee Air Museum has been repainted as "Hairless Joe" , a C-47 flown by Dick Cole in the China-Burma-India Theater. LtCol Cole was Jimmy Doolittle's co-pilot in the daring Tokyo Raid bearing his commander's name, and was the last surviving member of those legendary raiders.

...OR, IF YOU WANT SOMETHING MORE AGGRESSIVE...
 

The incomparable North American P-51D Mustang is a plane that needs no introduction.  This meticulously restored fighter, known as "Red Nose" , was the first aircraft in the Commemorative Air Force's fleet, purchased in 1957.  Airbase Georgia of the CAF, based at Peachtree, Georgia, was given the honor of maintaining and flying this gorgeous and historically significant airplane. 

You can experience the glory of flight in the "Cadillac of the Skies" and thrill to the roar and of its incomparable Rolls Royce Merlin engine.  "Red Nose" is  operated by the Airbase Georgia of the Commemorative Air Force.

DOUGLAS SBD-5 DAUNTLESS
"LADY IN BLUE"

Though considered obsolete on the "Day of Infamy", by the end of the war, the Dauntless had gained a reputation as the most destructive air weapon of the U.S. Navy.  The SBD sank over 300,000 tons of enemy ships, a greater tonnage than any other Allied aircraft during WWII. Her victims included six aircraft carriers and a dozen other warships in the decisive Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway.

Despite its nickname of "Slow but Deadly", it was the first aircraft to shoot down a Japanese Zero at Pearl Harbor and continued in the service throughout the war. The "Lady in Blue" is operated by Airbase Georgia of the Commemorative Air Force.

GENERAL MOTORS TBM AVENGER
"DORIS MAE"

The General Motors TBM Avenger entered service in 1942 and became the most widely-used torpedo bomber of WWII, sharing credit for sinking the battleships Yamato and Musashi, the largest battleships of any nation, as well as 30 submarines.

You may choose to fly in either the Observer or Turret seat.  The Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force flies this aircraft.

FLY ABOARD THE "SWEETHEART OF THE FORCES"  -
B-25J MITCHELL
"PANCHITO"

The B-25 became the most widely used medium bomber of WWII because of its adaptability and durability.  It flew a great variety of missions in all climates against all enemies and is one of the most widely recognized bombers of that era.  It flew the first high profile mission of the war, Jimmy Doolittle's daring daylight raid on Tokyo on April 18, 1942.    The B-25 was in service for the entire war and served in all theaters of the War.  Feel the power.  Experience what it was like for a combat aircrew that took to the skies in WWII.  The original "Panchito" served with the 396th Bomb Squadron, 41st Bomb Group, 7th Air Force on Okinawa in 1945. "Panchito" is owned and operated by the Delaware Aviation Museum.

The Commemorative Air Force, B-29/B-24 Squadron's majestic "Diamond Lil"  is fresh off  a renovation and looking to please potential riders.  Unlike its better known heavy stable-mate, the B-17 "Flying Fortress, the B-24 is a rare bird indeed, being one of only two still flying today.  Perhaps most famous for the Ploesti Oil Refinery Raids, the "Lib" fought in every theater of the war, was manufactured in greater numbers, and dropped more tonnage of bombs than the B-17.

RESERVATIONS WILL NOT  BE TAKEN BY THE MID-ATLANTIC AIR MUSEUM.

JOIN THE CREW  ABOARD THE AIRPLANE THAT ENDED THE WAR -
B-29  SUPERFORTRESS
"FIFI"

Imagine it's 1944 and you are crawling up into the huge fuselage of the state of the art B-29 heavy bomber. You are one of a 15 man flight crew, young, far from home, climbing to altitude at 30 degrees below zero, flying missions in the fight to defeat tyranny and defend freedom. Hear the rumble and roar of the engines. Honor the men and women of that era who rallied when America called.  The Commemorative Air Force, B-29/B-24 Squadron will take you on a ride you will never forget.

RESERVATIONS WILL NOT  BE TAKEN BY THE MID-ATLANTIC AIR MUSEUM.

PHOTO CREDIT: DARIUSZ JEZEWSKI, DEN PASCOE, RICHARD SEAMAN, CHARLES TRAINOR, GARY WOLF