Chino, CA. – On Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 10:00am to 12:00 noon, Planes of Fame Air Museum hosts its monthly Living History Flying Day. Museum doors open at 9:00am. The theme for January 5 is the “Luftwaffe vs. the 8th Air Force”, featuring the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 reproduction. The presentation is followed by a question and answer period then a flight demonstration of the Fw 190. At 12:00 noon, following the presentation, there will be a Membership Sponsored raffle flight.
By November of 1943, the P-51 was introduced into the European theater as tactical fighters, but finally used to escort VII Bomber Command B-17 and B-24 bombers in December. It was now that the USAAF had fighter escort aircraft that was equal to the Fw 190 and the Bf 109. The Fw 190, in particular, was used by the Luftwaffe in many roles; as a night and day fighter, ground-attack aircraft, and a fighter-bomber. The P-51s and P-47s were effective in ridding the skies of the Luftwaffe over Europe. With their help, the bombers of the Eighth Air Force decimated the German Luftwaffe.
In February 1944, an immense reorganization of USAAF airpower in Europe resulted in the VIII Bomber Command, later renamed the Eighth Air Force with fighter and support commands under the command of Major General Jimmy Doolittle. German industry was the bombing target.
Operating primarily in Northern Europe during WW2, the Eighth Air Force was the largest combat air force, having the most equipment and personnel, in the European Theater, engaging in air-to-air fighter combat as well as it core mission of strategic bombing.
About Planes of Fame Air Museum
The Planes of Fame Air Museum, founded in 1957 by Edward Maloney, is where aviation history lives. It is the oldest independently operated aviation museum in the United States. The museum collection spans the history of manned flight from the Chanute Hang Glider of 1896 to the space age Apollo Capsule. The mission of Planes of Fame Air Museum is to preserve aviation history, inspire interest in aviation, educate the public, and honor aviation pioneers and veterans. The Museum sponsors regular events in the form of inspirational experiences, educational presentations, flight demonstrations, and air shows in fulfillment of this mission. Photos available upon request. Visit the Planes of Fame Air Museum website www.planesoffame.org and our Facebook page.
