Vintage WWII Aircraft bring Battle of Midway to life at Aviation Museum

Photo By Max Lonzanida | An airworthy FM-2 Wildcat from the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia comes in for a landing on their grass airfield. (US Navy Photo by Civilian Public Affairs Officer Max Lonzanida/Released)  

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

07.30.2018

Story by Max Lonzanida  

Naval History and Heritage Command

The Military Aviation Museum is situated in the Pungo section of Virginia Beach, and nestled just twenty minutes from Naval Air Station Oceana. Its home to one of the largest private collections of WWI and WWII era aircraft; and as volunteer Bill Murray loves to point out, nearly all are airworthy. This is clearly evidenced by the drip pans below the aircraft in the hangar. Visitors driving to the museum will pass fields of corn, soybeans, and when in season, fields of ripe red strawberries. In fact, the Pungo area of Virginia Beach is known for its annual Strawberry festival which always draws in a huge crowd to celebrate this tasty treat. This weekend, a crowd gathered inside the cavernous Navy hangar at the museum for a unique historical flyover; one that brought the Battle of Midway back to life.

Sitting in front and center behind an open hangar door were two aircraft used during the Battle of Midway, a Grumman Wildcat and a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina. The hangar was teeming with activity as visitors snapped pictures of the aircraft, while others took seats in one of the rows of folding chairs. The museum hosts a Summer of Flight Series, which brings to life a different aircraft each Saturday. Before each flight, visitors are treated to a historical presentation; and the theme for this Saturday's event was the Battle of Midway.

The Battle of Midway took place 76 years ago, from June 4-6, 1942. Each year the Hampton Roads Naval Museum’s Education Team provides historical presentations for area commands regarding this decisive naval engagement. Presentations are provided free of charge, and this year, over 20 historical presentations were provided; which made for a very busy week. On hand this afternoon to bring the contributions of both aircraft to life via an engaging historical presentation was Timothy Orr, a History Professor at Old Dominion University. Orr pointed out that over 8,000 F4-F Wildcats were produced during WWII, making it the primary carrier based aircraft for US Marine Corps and Naval Aviators. There were two versions of this aircraft, the Mark 3 and Mark 4; and 90 of these aircraft took part in the Midway engagement by providing combat air patrols and escort duties. He then turned his attention to the huge Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina parked at the end of the runway. 31 of these aircraft were used during the Midway battle, for surveillance and search and rescue duties.

Afterwards, visitors were treated to a rare opportunity to watch both aircraft come to life. The wings of the FM-4 Wildcat were gently unfolded and locked into place. A tractor towed the aircraft to the end of the pavement, and Pilot Mike Spalding cycled the aircraft’s engines and conducted pre-flight functions. Visitors clamored to the front of the hangar to watch as the Wildcat, in a burst of white smoke, roared back to life. The agile wildcat taxied to the end of the grass airfield, and in thunderous roar, took to the skies. Visitors eagerly snapped pictures with their phones and with cameras as the Wildcat made passes at the airfield. Not to be outdone, the Museum’s Catalina roared back to life a well. The Catalina didn’t take to the skies, but taxied down the airfield and back; which was still a sight to see. Special Events Coordinator Mitch Welch provided some historical narration as the Wildcat made passes, and finally touched back down on the grass airfield and taxied back to the pavement. Both aircraft offered a rare glimpse into the Battle of Midway and aviation history.

About the Museum:

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is one of ten Navy museums that are operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command. It celebrates the long history of the U.S. Navy in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia and is co-located with Nauticus in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Admission to the museum is free, simply by-pass the ticket line downstairs and take the elevator or stairs to the museum on the second deck. The museum offers free educational programs, including an engaging LEGO outreach for area schools, presentations aligned with state standards of learning, and a travelling sea chest program. To inquire, contact Laura Orr, Education Director at [e-mail] or at [phone]. To inquire about volunteering at the museum, contact Darcy Sink, Volunteer Coordinator at [phone]. The Museum, along with the Military Aviation Museum, is part of the non-profit South Hampton Roads Museum Forum. The forum fosters communication among area cultural institutions, increases public awareness and support of area museums and cultural institutions, and develops professional training opportunities for its members.

• Date Taken: 07.30.2018
• Date Posted: 07.30.2018 12:31
• Story ID: 286245
• Location: NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US