Military Aviation Museum Air Show: May 18 thru 20th

_C8A0151 - Richard Mallory Allnutt photo - Warbirds Over the Beach - Military Aviation Museum - Pungo, VA - May 17, 2014 — The only 'Junkers Ju 52' flying in North America will be one of the many gems from the Military Aviation Museum on display at the Warbirds Over the Beach Air Show in Pungo, Virginia this coming May 18-20th. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

The Military Aviation Museum in Pungo, Virginia is gearing up for their annual Warbirds Over the Beach air show which will take place from May 18th – 20th. Set in on a grass airfield reminiscent of a vintage 1940s air base near Virginia Beach, this has become one of the finest air show experiences in North America for those interested in WWII aviation. Boasting one of the largest and most diverse collections of fully restored vintage military aircraft anywhere on the planet, the Military Aviation Museum will be filling the ramp (and the skies) with gems from their fleet, such as a ‘Messerschmitt Bf 109’, Hawker Hurricane, deHavilland Mosquito, PBY Catalina, FG-1D Corsair, and B-25J Mitchell. There will be visiting participants, such as the CAF Dixie Wing’s SBD-5 Dauntless as well as their recently restored P-63 Kingcobra.

The Military Aviation Museum’s FG-1D flashes by the trees at Pungo after taking off from the grass air strip. The backdrop at MAM offers some amazingly dramatic photographic opportunities! (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

The North American P-64 replica, based on a T-6 airframe, raises its gear low over the airfield. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

The Museum’s Hawker Hurricane in a dramatic take off pose. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

As always, the Friday event is the practice day. This is often one of the best days to attend, as the flying is always ad-hoc and you usually get the ability to get closer to the action as the crowds are smaller. The Saturday and Sunday schedule for flying is as follows…

European Theatre Flights (Other Forces): Junkers Ju 52, Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, Messerschmitt Me 262

Fast and Heavies Take Off: de Havilland Mosquito, Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, Focke-Wulf FW 190A-8, Yakovlev Yak-3, Messerschmitt Bf 109

There will also be a number of vintage aircraft available for members of the public to take rides around the area (for a fee) before or after the formal airshow period. Some of the aircraft available for flights include a PT-17 Kaydet and a WACO YMF-5, although other aircraft may be available too.

USAAF Re-enactor Lynn Ritger poses in his WWII-era kit by the Military Aviation Museum’s P-51D Mustang. Many re-enactors, representing numerous military branches, will be on hand at the Warbirds Over the Beach Air Show. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

Added to the allure of the rare aircraft will be the sights and sounds of WWII-era live musical acts and a plethora of re-enactors from all sides of the conflict. History will come alive over the weekend!

You can pre-order tickets for the show at a discount HERE up until April 30th.