Bombertown, USA returns To Kissimmee Air Museum | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-10.28.24

Airborne-NextGen-10.29.24

Airborne-Unlimited-10.30.24

Airborne-Unlimited-10.24.24

Airborne-Unlimited-10.25.24

Tue, Jan 12, 2010

Bombertown, USA returns To Kissimmee Air Museum

And Some Airplanes Are Not Just For Display Any More

For years, Kissimmee Gateway airport was known affectionately as "Bombertown USA".  Visitors could see WWII bombers being restored back to their former glory.  Those days are returning to Kissimmee but now visitors will not only be able to see these great planes but fly in them as well.  Spring 2010 will see the migration of bombers and other warbirds to the Kissimmee Air Museum.

In March, the beautifully polished B-25 Panchito will return to Kissimmee Gateway Airport and "Bombertown USA" where it was restored 15 years ago.  It will be stationed at the Kissimmee Air Museum for both static tours and flights. Larry Kelley restored the B-25J as "Panchito". He and his crew now fly Panchito for the Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation; preserving and sharing the history of the 396 Bomb Squadron, 41st Bomb Group, 7th Air Force, stationed in the Central Pacific that it served with.

The B-25 was produced in greater numbers than any other American twin-engine combat aircraft and was one of the most famous twin-engine medium bombers used during World War II. It achieved worldwide fame on 18 April 1942 when sixteen B-25's, under the command of LtCol Jimmy Doolittle, were launched from the aircraft carrier, Hornet, and attacked Tokyo and other Japanese cities in a daring raid. Owner, Larry Kelley, has flown in many Doolittle Raid commemorations including flying some of the "Raiders" in his B-25.

Opportunities to fly in this great bomber are few and far between but on April 2, 3 and 4, 2010 flights will be available in Panchito taking off from the Kissimmee Air Museum. Individuals can experience history up close and personal for a $400.00 donation per passenger. Seating is limited, first come-first serve for the Crew Chief "jump seat" behind the pilot/copilot, 2 seats under the top turret, and 2 waist gunner seats.

Another VIP (Very Important Plane) will be visiting the museum this spring, Collings Foundations' B-25J "Tondelayo". This Pacific War Princess will be offering to make the dream of flying a Mitchell from the right seat possible. Half-hour flight training is available for $2000.00 while the Mitchell is based at the Kissimmee Air Museum. If interested, contact the Kissimmee Air Museum at 407-870-7366 for more information.

 
File Photo
 

The Collings Foundation is dedicated to preserving and sharing aviation history. Their Wings of Freedom Nationwide Tour is a living history display and flying museum that offers tours and flights their Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator, and North American P-51C Mustang. The Collings Foundation's F4U-5 Corsair has been on display at the Kissimmee Air Museum during the Wings of Freedom's Tour winter hiatus.

FMI: www.collingsfoundation.org

Advertisement

More News

Senator Pushes FAA to Accelerate Rocket Launch Licensing

States That Current Process is Damaging National Aerospace Development US Senator Jerry Morgan is pushing the FAA to speed up the process for rocket launch licensing. He argues tha>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: RJ Gritter - Part of Aviation’s Bright New Future

From 2015 (YouTube Edition): Model Aviator Aims For Full-Scale Career While at the 2015 Indoor Electric RC Festival, referred to as eFest, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell>[...]

Aero-FAQ: Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories -- ITBOA BNITBOB

Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (10.27.24)

Aero Linx: Cardinal Flyers Online The Cardinal Flyers Online Web site was created and is maintained by me, Keith Peterson. My wife Debbie and I have owned a 1976 RG since 1985. Wit>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (10.27.24): Clearance Void If Not Off By (Time)

Clearance Void If Not Off By (Time) Used by ATC to advise an aircraft that the departure release is automatically canceled if takeoff is not made prior to a specified time. The exp>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC