Same Type Flown by President Bush Sr. Joins Aircraft
Collection
Those lucky enough to be looking to
the skies recently, between Miami and Polk City, FL, may have
spotted an amazing sight - a TBM "Avenger" World War II Torpedo
Bomber - working its way home to join part of the world's largest
private rare and vintage aircraft collection at Fantasy of
Flight.
Fantasy of Flight founder and creator Kermit Weeks piloted the
nearly 70-year-old aircraft in a 75-minute flight at a speed of 165
knots from Miami, where it was being stored at Weeks' former
aircraft museum there. Wings Over Miami assumed the museum's
operation in July 2003. The TBM plane was the last flyable piece of
Week's collection being stored there.
The TBM is the same model that President George H. W. Bush, Sr.
flew and was shot down in while flying a mission over the Pacific
Island of Chichi Jima in June 1943. During Bush's Vice Presidential
campaign, Weeks had the plane repainted in Bush's colors and was
asked to bring it to one of the Republican campaign stops. Upon
seeing the old beauty that earned him the Distinguished Flying
Cross, Bush reportedly ran from his commercial jet to the TBM and
promptly hopped into the cockpit. The late Paul Newman also flew in
a TBM as a rear gunner.
"It feels great to have the TBM Avenger home in Polk City along
with the rest of the collection," said Weeks. "This bomber played a
major role in the victory of World War II and helps to tell the
story of the Allies' win in ways that history books simply cannot.
It's truly a tangible piece of American history."
The TBM Avenger, a later reincarnation of the original Grumman
TBF, was developed by the Eastern Aircraft Division of General
Motors beginning in 1943. Designed for use on aircraft carriers,
the TBM featured hydraulic folding wings and held three crew
members: the pilot, turret gunner and radioman/bombardier/ventral
gunner. With a large bomb bay, the TBM could carry a single
2,000-pound bomb or four 500-pound bombs.
Now that the TBM has joined the rest of Weeks' collection at
Fantasy of Flight, it will most likely join the rotation of planes
used for daily flight demonstrations. It will also be included in
the attraction's next "Open Cockpit Days," June 20 and 21, 3 - 5
pm, in which guests get to climb aboard rare and historic aircraft
and imagine what it was like to fly them - and of course, take
advantage of an incredible photo opportunity. Open Cockpit Days are
an additional charge for regular admission ticket holders and
complimentary for annual pass holders. The TBM will be available
with two other naval aircraft including the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat
and the Corsair for the Open Cockpit Days that are part of Fantasy
of Flight's Father's Day weekend. Other activities celebrating Dad
during his special weekend include the Golden Age of Aviation R/C
Fly-In, June 20 and 21, 10 am - 4 pm and a special Military
Collectors Show, June 20, 9 am - 4 pm.
Fantasy of Flight is an aviation-themed attraction showcasing
vintage aircraft from the world's largest private collection;
themed immersion experiences; flight simulators; interactive
exhibits; a tram tour of aircraft maintenance areas; Restoration
and Backlot tours; Fun with Flight center for families and an
Aerial Demonstration of the Day (weather permitting). Recent
additions to Fantasy of Flight attractions include The Tuskegee
Airmen - They Dared to Fly exhibit; the multimedia tribute to the
WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) - A Passionate Pursuit and a
walking audio tour.