VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (April 20, 2016) – Virginia Beach skies will be alive with the sight of flying vintage aircraft for the Military Aviation Museum’s Annual Warbirds Over the Beach Air Show, held Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, May 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Military Aviation Museum in Pungo. The weekend boasts a real 1940s atmosphere with entertainers, re-enactor encampments, a military flea market, hangar dance and more!
The museum’s large collection of World War II aircraft fly both days, including their new Messerschmidtt Bf-109. This will be the Bf-109’s first ever debut flight in the U.S. Each day will feature a variety of entertainers to include Theresa Eaman, a nationally known jazz artist, and The Victory Belles, who travel the world entertaining with the USO. A military flea market will offer aviation-themed treasures and local vendors will be ready to serve up some tasty cuisine. A hangar dance headlines Saturday evening–live music by the Mark Michielsen Big Band and a chicken or steak dinner, available at an additional cost.
For the full experience, guests can ride in an authentic World War II aircraft. The museum’s 1941 Boeing Stearman and 1989 Waco YMF-5 will be available for 15-minute and 30-minute rides. The Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force will also offer rides in their P-51 Mustang, "Red Nose," and SBD-5 Dauntless. Prior reservation is recommended.
A Saturday admission ticket also offers access to the dedication ceremony for the museum’s latest addition, the actual control tower from the first American fighter base in England in 1942, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. that day. It features a fly-over by Air Force training jets, formations by the Royal Air Force and U.S. Air Force, and the Civil Air Patrol on color guard.
Tickets are available online for a discounted rate of $25 per adult single-day admission and $12 youth single-day admission, now through May 15. Beginning May 16, tickets will be sold at the full price of $30 per adult single-day admission and $15 per youth single-day admission. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 757-721-7767 or visit www.VBairshow.com.
About the Military Aviation Museum:
A 501 ©(3) not-for-profit organization, the Military Aviation Museum is home to one of the world’s largest collections of First and Second World War, and Korean War era fighters, bombers and trainers. Each airframe has undergone painstaking restoration, using original components, whenever possible. Truly a living museum, aircraft are in restoration at facilities around the world. Besides the main Museum, the Virginia Beach complex features additional structures, including the 1934 Luftwaffe Hangar, originally from Cottbus, Germany, which now serves to house the Museum’s collection of WWII-vintage German aircraft. Additional hangar spaces include the WWI Hangar, in which resides the Museum’s genuine 1918 Curtiss JN-4D “Jenny”, besides other aircraft of the period. Visit MilitaryAviationMuseum.org for more information or call 757-721-7767.
About the Commemorative Air Force Dixie Wing:
The Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization dedicated to flying and restoring World War II aircraft. Based in Midland, Texas, the organization has more than 13,000 members and operates a fleet of more than 162 World War II aircraft. It was founded to acquire, restore and preserve in flying condition a complete collection of combat aircraft that were flown by all military services of the United States, and selected aircraft of other nations, for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans. For more information, visit www.dixiewing.org
