The Frontiers of Flight Museum is privileged to present “Celebrating the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen,” featuring the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron’s P-51C “Mustang” Tuskegee Airmen and its unique Rise Above traveling exhibit, as well as displays and presentations in the Museum’s own Tuskegee Airmen exhibit in the World War II Gallery. Visit: www.flightmuseum.com.
Made possible by a generous grant from United Parcel Service (UPS), this educational experience about the Tuskegee Airmen will be offered free to local area students in grades 5 through 12 on October 16-18, and will be available to the general public on Saturday, October 19. Organizers anticipate a record 800 North Texas students to visit the exhibit while on display next week at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, 6911 Lemmon Ave.
This unique community-wide event will also include special appearances by local members of the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron. There are five North Texans who were part of the original Tuskegee Airmen. They include: Homer Hogues, Robert T. McDaniel, Lloyd B. “Mac” McKeethen, Joseph B. Montgomery, and Calvin J. Spann.
“Celebrating the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen” is part of the Frontiers of Flight Museum’s commitment to furthering education through aviation history and celebrating the spirit of achievement. In spite of adversity and limited opportunities, African Americans have played a significant role throughout U.S. military history. They were denied military leadership roles and skilled training because many believed they lacked qualifications for combat duty. Before 1940, African Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. military. Civil Rights organizations and the African American press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all-African American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1941. They became known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
“We are delighted to present “Celebrating the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen,” which also honors the legendary Tuskegee Airmen in our own community,” said Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, President and CEO, Frontiers of Flight Museum. “It makes us particularly proud to help bring this incredible interactive display to the community, as well as showcase the museum’s expanded exhibit that recognizes the accomplishments and perpetuates the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, who participated in air and ground crew operations and in support roles in the Army Air Corps during World War II. This is a fitting tribute to salute the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, and it is a wonderful opportunity to share with all of North Texas.”
The three elements of “Celebrating the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen” provide a comprehensive view of the fascinating and inspirational story of America’s first African American military aviators.
One of the major highlights is the Rise Above display, which is a traveling movie theater with a 160-degree curved panoramic screen housed in a semi-trailer rig. It presents a professionally-produced 30 minute film about the Tuskegee Airmen while pictorial information on the outside of the rig outlines the exploits of these famed American warriors.
Also on exhibit is an authentic North American P-51C “Mustang” fighter aircraft in the Airmen’s distinctive “Red Tail” paint scheme, similar to the aircraft flown by the Tuskegee Airmen as they won their dual victory over Nazi oppression in Europe and racial bias at home.
The permanent Tuskegee Airmen exhibit in the Frontiers of Flight Museum’s World War II Gallery features original artifacts, photographs, art, and other memorabilia, much of it donated by surviving members of this historic group from the Dallas area.
“Celebrating the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen” will be offered free to student groups on a first-come basis on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, October 16, 17, and 18. Each tour will be limited to 80 students and there will be three tours scheduled for public schools each day at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., and 12:00 noon, and one tour for private schools daily at 1:30 p.m. Interested schools may schedule tours by calling the Museum’s Education Department at (214) 350-3600, ext. 229.
The exhibit will be available to the general public after 3:00 p.m. on the three weekdays and all day Saturday, October 19. The two-seat P-51C Tuskegee Airmen will be available for rides on Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20. For details and reservations for rides, please call the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron at (812) 240-2560.
