FLYING TIGERS

WARBIRD RESTORATION Museum

231 N. Hoagland Blvd.  Kissimmee, Fl  34741

407-933-1942           Fax 407-933-7843  email: programs@warbirdmuseum.com

PRESS RELEASE

23 August 2002

By Kathryn (KT) Budde-Jones

The Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum in Kissimmee, Florida honors the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) on their 60^th Anniversary this Veterans Day Weekend November 9^th and 10^th, 2002. In September 1942, 25,000 women answered the call to fill noncombat duties freeing men to fight overseas. 1830 were accepted into the WASP program of which only 1074 earned their wings. During the two years they served their country before being disbanded in December of 1944, they flew every type of plane that saw service during WWII covering 60,000,000 miles. 37 WASPs lost their lives while ferrying planes from the factories to the airfields, flying target ships and test flying planes immediately after being repaired or designed. They performed in every required activity for the Army Air Force except combat. Because of their sacrifices both for the country and for women throughout the decades, women are being recognized for the mark they make in every aspect of aviation, including the space program and the forbidden territory of combat flying.

Sixty years after they heeded the call, the WASPs may look like your grandmother but under the gray hair is the same woman who fought prejudice and battled the skies for their place in history. The place they rightfully earned is being honored Veterans Weekend November 9^th and 10^th 2002 at the Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum in Kissimmee, Florida. Visitors to the Museum will be treated to a special exhibit and presentation by several of WWII’s WASPs sharing their personal memorabilia on display among the very planes these women aviators flew. Opportunities to purchase books and autograph signing will be in abundance through out the weekend. Dozens of planes on display in a working restoration facility as well as opportunities for visitors to fly in an authentic WWII Warbird during their visit.  Open Veterans Weekend and daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Special Veteran’s Weekend EAA Young Eagles Pancake Breakfast Saturday November 9^th 9:00 am to Noon at the Museum with the WASPs. Warbird Fly-Overs both Saturday and Sunday. Please call 407-933-1942 or log onto www.warbirdmuseum.com for more information. Museum located at 231 N. Hoagland Blvd. Kissimmee, Florida south off of Hwy 192 near guide marker “15”.  

FLYING TIGERS

WARBIRD RESTORATION MUSEUM

231 N. Hoagland Blvd.  Kissimmee, Fl  34741

407-933-1942           Fax 407-933-7843  email:programs@warbirdmuseum.com

The Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum and Warbird Adventures in Kissimmee, Florida honors the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) on their 60^th Anniversary this Veterans Day Weekend November 9^th and 10^th, 2002.

µVisitors to the Museum will be treated to a special exhibit and presentation by several of WWII’s WASPs sharing their personal memorabilia on display among the very planes these women aviators flew.

µOpportunities to purchase books and autograph signing.

µDozens of planes on display in a working restoration facility as well as opportunities for visitors to fly in an authentic WWII Warbird during their visit. Tours of the restoration projects by knowledgeable guides through out the day.

µOpen Veterans Weekend and daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

µAdults - $9.00, Seniors - $8.00, Children 8 to 12 - $8.00. Children 7 and under are FREE.

µFREE Admission for VETERANS IN UNIFORM

µSaturday November 9^th 9:00 am to Noon at the Museum with the WASPs.  Special Veteran’s Weekend EAA Young Eagles Pancake Breakfast ( $ 3.00) & EAA Kids 7-17 Fly Free in General Aviation airplanes program sponsored by EAA Chapter 74-Orlando (when accompanied by a parent)

µSaturday November 9^th 11:00 am Warbird Formation Flight over the Museum, Downtown Kissimmee & St. Cloud In honor of all our Veterans…

µSunday November 10^th 10:00 am to 11:00 am Osceola County Veterans Council Color Guard Presentation followed by Warbird Formation Flight Over the Museum, Downtown Kissimmee & St. Cloud In honor of all our Veterans…

Warbird Flights available both Saturday and Sunday.

in an authentic WWII warbird with Warbird Adventures, Inc.

Call 407-870-7366 to reserve your plane for a flight into history.

Please call 407-933-1942 for more information.

Museum located at 231 N. Hoagland Blvd. Kissimmee, Florida

Turn south off of Hwy 192 – 1 mile east of Medieval Times near guide marker “15”.