Future Phases Will Tell Story Of Other Conflicts

To mark the 65th anniversary of the Japanese attack that thrust the United States into World War II, the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor in Hawaii is set to open December 7.

The first phase of the museum is 42,442 square feet, and located inside Hanger 37 at Pearl Harbor's Ford Island, near Honolulu.

The initial exhibit will, as you might expect, focus on the Second World War... but future phases will tell stories of the Korean War, Vietnam War and Cold War, each housed in other hangars at Ford Island. Many of those buildings still carry scars from the attack, such as bullet holes, and evidence of strafing fire in the concrete tarmac.

Executive Director Allan Palmer, himself a fighter pilot in Vietnam, told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin in March the museum "will tell the story of military aviation in the Pacific by showing the patriotism, valor and sacrifices made by the military and civilian mean and women in the Pacific."

Media reports of the opening state many planes that flew on the front lines will be in the spotlight -- as well as the Navy Stearman biplane that former President George H.W. Bush soloed in December 1942.

Also on display will be a red Aeronca that was airborne during the Japanese invasion, with an instructor and civilian student onboard. Other aircraft include a Japanese Zero; a Navy Wildcat fighter, an Army Air Corps B-25 Mitchell bomber; and P-40 Warhawk fighter.

While its primary focus will be military aviation, the museum will also tell stories of ground forces that fought in the war.

FMI: www.pacificaviationmuseum.org/