Florida's Space Coast 2008-2009 Official Vacation Planner - (Page 74) Just a few miles west of Kennedy Space Center at the Space Coast Regional Airport, the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum offers a unique view of aviation history. A treat awaits aviation enthusiasts of all ages. The museum offers a myriad of aircraft types and memorabilia -- from many sources. Aircraft such as the F-14 Tomcat, F-4 Phantom, A-6 Intruder, MiG -15, UH-1 Huey, Grumman Wildcat and Avenger, a C-47 Skytrain and many others from WWII, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam and the first Gulf War. Flight gear, dress uniforms and personal artifacts from flight crews of all the aerial conflicts are displayed throughout the Memorabilia Hall. The Museum’s historians and curators work constantly to make sure the scenes exhibited are both interesting and historically correct. The wealth of memorabilia is a tribute to the generosity of the many friends of the Museum. Current special exhibits include a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, a crack all black fighter group of WWII and a display of a current US Navy Carrier Battle Group supplied by the Association of Naval Aviation, Banana River Squadron. 74 In the restoration hanger one gets the feeling of moving through time. The VAC’s flagship, a 1942 C-47 that dropped paratroopers in Europe on D-Day sits combat ready. Nicknamed “Tico Bell,” the vintage transport, when its repairs are completed, will again regularly fly to air shows and Veteran’s events. One of the most remarkable restoration projects is a Grumman Wildcat fighter from WWII, which lost power and went into Lake Michigan in 1944 and was not hauled out until 1994. Restoration, taking more than 30,000 man hours, was done by a dedicated group known as ‘The Grumman Gremlins.” A must see for all ages is the annual Warbird Airshow, held each year in March. Approximately 100 warbirds gather to fly demonstrations and formations and allow visitors to get right next to them on the flight line over the annual three day show. Many of the pilots take up position next to their planes to answer questions. Admission: Adults $12, Seniors/Military $10, Children (5-12) $5, under 5 free. Hours: 9am-5pm, 7 days a week. 6600 TICO Road, Titusville, FL 32780, 321-268-1941,www.vacwarbirds.org. www.space-coast.com • (877) 572-3224 http://www.vacwarbirds.org http://www.space-coast.com
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