04-12-2025
Military Aviation Museum volunteers are helping capture rubbings of tombstones belonging to WWII British service personnel buried in the Virginia Beach area in partnership with the Commemorative Air Force’s Bring the Boys Back Home campaign, which hopes to return these impressions to the UK this summer as part of the commemorations celebrating the end of WWII in Europe.
04-06-2025
Museum volunteers have made great progress stripping down the Cornell into its major component parts and begun the inspection process.
03-28-2025
Our Messerschmitt Me 262 made its first flight in at least six years today, following an extended stay indoors due to brake issues. With a newly-manufactured set of brakes and additional rework, our Me 262 is again capable of flight, and well ahead of schedule.
03-19-2025
The Museum’s Messerschmitt Me 262 replica performed engine, brake and taxi tests following installation of its new brakes on March 17th. Ike and Allison Burchinal, along with Museum chief pilot, Mike Spalding, have been instrumental in getting the jet on its way to flightworthy condition. Much remains to do, but these are exciting days!
03-15-2025
Pioneer Aero’s engineers recently revisited the SBD’s lefthand inboard leading edge to install the ammunition cartridge port. This opening allowed spent ammunition casings from the lefthand, nose-mounted machine gun to fall away cleanly from the airframe.
03-14-2025
Following the arrival of the specialized extruded aluminum for the upper spar cap, Pioneer Aero’s restoration team has made significant progress reassembling Spar #2 for the SBD’s Wing Center Section.
02-27-2025
We are presently working hard to modify the braking system on our Messerschmitt Me 262 replica so that it can return to the skies in the near future… and hopefully participate at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025.
02-26-2025
Pioneer Aero has made major progress rebuilding the spars for the SBD’s Wing Center Section. Spars #3, #4 & #5 and now ready for installation, while Spars #1 and #2 are close behind.
02-18-2025
Pioneer Aero has made significant progress tearing down and rebuilding the upper longerons for the SBD’s fuselage. These are key components to the aircraft’s structural integrity.
02-17-2025
The two Clarktor 6 aircraft tugs which the Museum acquired in late 2024 are now under restoration with the Oehme Brothers War Horse Garage in Lititz, Pennsylvania. This report covers some of their history and the initial restoration progress with these fascinating vehicles.
02-11-2025
Our vintage Willy’s Jeep has returned to operational condition, thanks to volunteer John Zumwalt. Marked as a WWII Coast Guard example, by its restorer and former Coast Guard serviceman, the late Buck Alan Parham, the vehicle helps tell the story of the US Coast Guard’s vital contributions to the nation’s safety during that conflict.
02-08-2025
Pioneer Aero Ltd. has made progress restoring the SBD’s Rollover Frame. This structure is designed to help minimize aircrew injury should the Dauntless flip over during landing or takeoff operations.