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.
Battle for the Airfield WWII Re-Enactment Weekend
October 11 @ 8:30 am, ending October 12 @ 5:00 pm
$25 – $40
EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE
The American Heritage Museum presents the Battle for the Airfield World War II Re-Enactment, one of the premier events of its type in the United States! There will be over 350+ re-enactors representing several branches of Allied and Axis military participating in encampments and two battles each day. Fully restored military equipment of all kinds will be on display and operating in a captivating living history event. Allied and Axis camps will be set up with authentic materials and appearance. Re-enactors act as docents who share a wealth of information about life as a WWII military person. WWII Veterans from all ranks and branches of service will participate in a roundtable discussion.
Gates open at 8:30am each day and close at 5:00pm. Battles take place at 11:00am and 3:00pm. The WWII Veterans Roundtable begins at 1:00pm in the hangar.
All three museums will be open: The American Heritage Museum, The Historic Aviation Hangar and Classic Automobile Barn. This is a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s most rare aircraft, extraordinary American classic automobiles, historic tanks, armored vehicles, military artifacts and much more.
There is over 100,000 square feet of space within the American Heritage Museum and Hangar combined.
Food and beverage will be available for purchase on site and picnics are allowed.
Daily Schedule
8:30am – 5:00pm – Gates Open – All museum buildings, displays, and encampments open to visitors..
9:00am – 5:00pm – Tank Rides Open (scheduled and walk-up) – Woods driving grounds by Allied Camp...
9:00am – 5:00pm – Paint-a-Tank Children’s Activity – For kids of all ages – come to the Paint-a-Tank tent in front of the main museum to get a 3D printed tank to paint in the battle colors YOU choose! $5 Donation per tank..
10:00am – 5:00pm – WWII War Gaming & Modeling Demonstrations – Mezzanine level of Aircraft Hangar – Guides will be demonstrating tabletop strategy war gaming and modelling in the hangar through the day..
11:00am – 11:45am – “Battle for the Airfield” – WWII Re-Enactment #1 – Performance Area / Airfield – Over 300 Allied and Axis WWII re-enactors clash on the airfield in a historic onslaught featuring operating tanks, halftracks, military vehicles, and artillery! Battles are fully narrated and feature amazing pyrotechnics!.
1:00pm – 2:30pm – World War II Veterans Roundtable – Aircraft Hangar – Join our invited veterans of World War II in the hangar for an opportunity to hear their stories of combat and service during the war nearly 80 years ago. As most of our veterans are 96 and older, this is a wonderful opportunity to honor them and ask them more about what their experiences were like..
3:00pm – 3:45pm – “Battle for the Airfield” – WWII Re-Enactment #2 – Performance Area / Airfield – Over 300 Allied and Axis WWII re-enactors clash on the airfield in a historic onslaught featuring operating tanks, halftracks, military vehicles, and artillery! Battles are fully narrated and feature amazing pyrotechnics! (same scenario and outcome as the AM battle)
5:00pm – All museum grounds, buildings, and encampments close for the day.
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Event Map
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Advance Sale and Event Day Admission Tickets
Daily Admission
Single Day pricing for the Saturday and Sunday events are as follows:
$40 Adults | $35 Seniors/Veterans | $25 Children Under 16
WWII/Korean War Veterans and Children Under 3 are Free – No ticket required.
Click Here to Buy Tickets for Saturday, October 11th, 2025
Click Here to Buy Tickets for Sunday, October 12th, 2025
Weekend Passes Available
Two-Day Admission
Weekend Passes Available for Two-Day Admission for both days – Available online only.
$70 Adults | $60 Seniors/Veterans | $40 Children Under 16
Click Here to Buy Weekend Passes for October 11-12, 2025
Tickets may also be purchased the day of the event by Credit Card or Cash at the entry gate on the access road as well.
MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT PRICING
Members: 25% off event tickets.
Tank Rides Available
Tank and Half Track Rides will be taking place over the weekend. You can register online, by phone, or on-site, but spaces are limited! No tank driving experience programs available this weekend.
Tank Ride Experience Prices:
– M24 Chaffee (10 minute ride) – $595 per group of Three (3) persons – two in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.
– M4 Sherman (10 minute ride) – $595 per group of Two (2) persons – one in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.
Schedule your tank driving or ride experience above or call 978-562-9182 to reserve.
