American Airpower Museum to Recreate WWII Bomber Base Memorial Day Weekend

World War II aviation history will come alive again when the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale recreates a bomber base this Memorial Day weekend.

The legendary B-17 Flying Fortress, a squadron of World War II fighters, an Airborne plane similar to the one that put paratroopers into the skies over Normandy 70 years ago and a 33-ton Sherman tank are among the military exhibits on display between Friday, May 23, and Monday, May 26, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the museum. 

The event is part of the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show at Jones Beach, saluting American veterans and those who continue to protect the nation's freedoms.

The museum is across the runway from where the U.S. Navy precision team, the Blue Angels, will be taking off to fly their missions over Jones Beach and Airpower visitors are able to literally feel the ground rumble as afterburners from the Navy’s F-18 aircraft propel the fighters into the sky.

Flights on the Blue Angels aren’t possible, but one can climb aboard the classic B-17, “Yankee Lady” for a flight experience. Contact www.yankeeairmuseum.org  or show up at the Airpower Museum and inform the flight crew that you are ready for your “mission.” A $450 donation is required.

Other aircraft available for a flight experiences includes the American Airpower’s “D-Day Mission” in an Airborne paratrooper plane, a T-6 Texan “Commanders” flight or a flight experience in an open cockpit Waco biplane that is right out of the Golden Age of Aviation. Inquire online via the museum's website for donation levels and aircraft availability.

Among the corporate sponsors making the flight of these aircraft possible are Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Stop & Shop Supermarkets, Cockpit USA, Bristal Assisted Living.  

If you go: The American Airpower Museum at Republic will be open Thursday through Monday of Memorial Day weekend from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission donations will be requested: Adults $15, veterans and seniors, $10 and children $7.

For more information, visit the museum's website.