Tuskegee Airmen Forum Coming To American Airpower Museum Of LI

FARMINGDALE, NY — An informative public forum on The Tuskegee Airmen is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 24 at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, the museum announced.

The forum, sponsored by the the Claude B. Govan Tri-State Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., will feature a lively discussion about the Airmen by actual family members of those legendary fighter pilots.

The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of brave and skilled African American pilots whose successful battles in their Mustang fighters defending the B-17’s against Nazi Luftwaffe Messerschmitts persuaded President Harry S. Truman to desegregate the military after World War II.

Reynard Burns, chapter public relations officer, will recount the origins of the Tuskegee Airmen and their accomplishments and importance then and now.

Of special interest for military aviation enthusiasts is the exhibit’s full-scale fiberglass replica of a P-51D Mustang fighter, suspended from the ceiling of Hangar 3, the museum wrote. This replica was based on a Mustang flown by Jeff Clyman, AAM president, during air shows in the 1990s. Clyman will talk about the Mustang’s unique flying characteristics and armaments.

The museum currently owns an original P-51D Mustang, "Jacqueline," which flies at the Jones Beach Air Show and other venues across the Northeast.

A selection of Tuskegee Airmen memorabilia will be for sale to benefit the chapter. The chapter will also raffle off a flight by a New York Metro Black Pilots Association member, whose personal aircraft will be parked outside of AAM’s Hangar 3.

For more information about the Tuskegee Airmen Forum at AAM, you may contact Reynard Burns at 631-827-9383 or reyburns@verizon.net. Check out the Claude B. Govan chapter website.

Tickets or pre-registration are not required. Admission to the museum is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and veterans and $12 for children ages 5-12. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. all day June 24.

The American Airpower Museum is at Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale.