Event Held Last Weekend Marked 50th Anniversary Of The Vietnam War

Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor's popular Remote-Control Biggest Little Airshow in Hawaii was back for its eighth year on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16 with a special "Welcome Home" tribute to Vietnam Veterans.

The Museum themed its Biggest Little Airshow this year "Honoring Our Vietnam Veterans" with complimentary admission for veterans and their families, a hospitality chalet on the airshow flight line with complimentary food and beverages both days, and an exhibit of the Museum's Vietnam era aircraft surrounding it. It was part of the Museum's participation in the national commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

For two days, Ford Island came alive with remote-control flying, static aircraft and full size aircraft on display, "candy bombings" over historic Ford Island Runway for the kids, hands-on modeling stations, a Kids Zone with rides and activities, open cockpits, and open access to Hangar 79 to see the Museum's many aircraft exhibits and Restoration Shop.

Talented local performer clubs included: Birds of Paradise Airshow Team, Paradise Flyers Radio Control Club, and Aloha State Radio Control Club. Award-winning Mainland pilots from the Academy of Model Aeronautics were also flying, including Frank Tiano and The Fly Boys.

Pilots performed remote-control aviation feats for two days, flying their massive, 1-to-5 scale planes in the skies above the Museum over historic Ford Island Runway. Specialty acts included: Pattern, 3-D fixed wing and helicopter aerobatic flights, aerobatics performances, South Pacific battles, "Candy Bomber" drops, and Skycam drone helicopters. Remote control aircraft in the air and on static display included jets, helicopters, F-22s, warbirds, B-17s, P-38s, Corsairs, OV-10s and more.

Visitors enjoyed open cockpits and free tours of Hangar 79 which still bears the bullet holes of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Inside guests experienced Lt. Ted Shealy's Restoration Shop, the 1941 machine shop where the Museum's aircraft is being restored. Visitors also got up close and personal with an F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, F-86s, P-40, MiG-15, F-111, and the Museum's B-17E Flying Fortress, the one and only "Swamp Ghost."

(Images provided by the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor)

FMI: www.pacificaviationmuseum.org