LONDONDERRY, NH – ‘Rise Above’ will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, Saturday Aug. 16, and Sunday, Aug. 17. The ‘Rise Above’ traveling exhibit features a vintage P-51C Mustang fighter plane—one of the few examples of this iconic warbird still flying—as well as a mobile exhibit hall featuring a movie theater and displays about the Tuskegee airmen and female WASP pilots. The exhibit is designed to help the public—especially young people—understand and remember sacrifices made by those from earlier generations who answered to call to serve the nation, sometimes in spite of great difficulties.
The visit to the Aviation Museum of N.H. at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is the only appearance of ‘Rise Above’ in the Northeastern U.S. this year. In addition to the P-51C Mustang, the exhibit is expected to include other vintage airplanes, including a 1943 Grumman Widgeon amphibious aircraft visiting on Saturday, Aug. 16. All aircraft will be on static display.
In conjunction with the ‘Rise Above’ traveling exhibit, the Aviation Museum will be open free to all visitors from Friday, Aug. 15 through Sunday, Aug. 17. The museum’s flight simulator will be set up to give visitors a chance to take the controls of a virtual P-51C Mustang in flight. The museum’s simulator is first-come, first-served and suitable for visitors age 13 and above.
The‘Rise Above’ exhibit is curated and managed by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), a Texas-based non-profit that specializes in restoring vintage military aircraft and organizing tours and exhibits to highlight their historic service to the nation. The local appearance of the ‘Rise Above’ exhibit is supported by the CAF’s New England Wing, which will be on hand during the event. The ‘Rise Above’ traveling exhibit is presented in cooperation with Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.
The three-day appearance of ‘Rise Above’ comes as part of the Aviation Museum’s annual ‘PlaneFest!’ celebration, which takes place each August on the weekend closest to the birthday of legendary aviation pioneer Orville Wright. On Saturday, Aug. 16, ‘PlaneFest!’ will feature a ‘Young Eagles’ program run by members of Chapter 106 of the Experimental Aviation Association. ‘Young Eagles’ programs give young people age 8 to 17 the chance to take a brief flight in a private aircraft. Rides are provided by local pilots, who donate their time and the use of their airplane. Advance online registration is required for ‘Young Eagles’; for more info and to register, visit the Chapter 106 Young Eagles webpage.
The Aviation Museum of NH is located at 27 Navigator Rd, Londonderry, NH