Read the full post at: bit.ly/3FkwQZM![]()
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That old saying “the devil is in the details” certainly holds true for the ongoing restoration of Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BuNo 2459 in New Smyrna Beach, FL at American Aero Services. Though the exterior restoration is mostly complete, the interior restoration to bring the aircraft back to accurate 1942 wartime configuration has been an enormous task that has tested the skills of the restoration crew led by project manager Casey Littrell. Because the aircraft arrived from Europe with little original equipment, nearly all of the interior components have either had be found or fabricated. And considering the early vintage of this PBY, original equipment is scarce… so just sourcing the materials is a monumental task in its own right. And for items that need to be fabricated, finding original drawings or photos to accurately reconstruct items is an additional challenge... (continued)![]()
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Please read the full update with a gallery of photos at: bit.ly/3FkwQZM![]()
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#PBYCatalina #PBY5A #FlyingBoat #USNavy #NavalAviation #AvGeek
The American Heritage Museum is pleased to announce the launch of our first BSA Merit Badge Program for Scouting America for the American Heritage Merit Badge. Learn More at: bit.ly/43DVnDd![]()
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Every Scout swears to an oath that includes duty to their country. The American Heritage Merit Badge encourages a better understanding of American heritage, learn the ways in which the past has lead to our present nation, and truly knowing what it means to be an American.![]()
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The American Heritage Merit Badge at the American Heritage Museum is a three-hour long program, which includes museum admission and a guided tour for scouts and leaders. By the end of the program (prerequisites required) the scout will have completed all requirements to earn the merit badge. The program is conducted by a registered BSA Merit Badge Councilor. A minimum of 10 scouts and 2 BSA registered adults is required per session and adults may be asked to assist.![]()
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The program cost is $40 per Scout and BSA registered adults are free. To learn more about the program and to schedule, see: bit.ly/43DVnDd
Presentation on the Six Triple Eight today at the American Heritage Museum! Starts at 1pm. Hope you can make it. See: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/speaker-series-the-six-triple-eight-all-black-all-female-bat...
Another great reason to become a member of the American Heritage Museum... we are proud to announce that we are now part of the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM) that affords select AHM member levels to have free access to over 1,400 museums nationwide! www.americanheritagemuseum.org/2025/02/the-american-heritage-museum-is-now-part-of-the-north-amer...
Join us at the American Heritage Museum this Friday, February 28th, 1:00pm to 2:30pm for an engaging talk by Melodye Whatley on the Six Triple Eight. See: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/speaker-series-the-six-triple-eight-all-black-all-female-bat...![]()
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During World War II, a groundbreaking unit of African American women in the U.S. Army made history while overcoming racism, sexism, and the challenges of war. The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the Six Triple Eight, was the only all-Black, all-female unit to be deployed overseas during WWII. Their mission was both crucial and daunting: to clear a massive backlog of undelivered mail that had piled up in Europe, delaying vital communication between soldiers and their loved ones.
- This event has passed.
Battle of Iwo Jima Remembered
February 22 @ 10:00 am, ending 5:00 pm
Free with standard museum admission
Baker Company, 21st Marines, and 3rd Navy Medical Battalion re-enactors will have a presentation at 1pm and 3pm, and table displays of equipment, weapons, and gear to educate the public on the Battle of Iwo Jima that took place February 19- March 26, 1945. Iwo Jima was the second to last battle of World War II in the Pacific. It was the first and only island in the Pacific Theater where the number of American casualties outnumbered the Japanese. The fighting was some of the fiercest of the war in the Pacific.
On February 19th, 1945 Fourth and Fifth Marine Divisions landed on Iwo Jima. The fighting was so intense and casualties so high from the outset that February 21st the 9th Marine Regiment, and 1st & 2nd Battalions of the 21st Marine Regiments were taken from the 3rd Marine Division (sitting in floating reserve) and moved onshore to support the advancing Marine Line.
Over the next thirty-four days the Marines ground their way forward. The 21st Marines pushed across the second airfield, and the uncompleted airfield. Fighting using rifles, zippo tanks, bazookas, flamethrowers and hand-to-hand combat was long and arduous before Marines from 1st Battalion, 21st Marines saw the northern shore of the island.
Baker Company, and 3rd Navy Medical Battalion will have uniformed re-enactors on hand to interpret and discuss the experience of the Marines and Navy Corpsmen and surgeons who fought on Iwo Jima in honor of the 80th anniversary of the battle.
