So long, Museum of Aviation!

It's over. Today's the final day. In 3 short hours I will no longer be an intern at the Museum of Aviation. I will definitely miss this place as it has come to mean so much to me for the last ten weeks. It's a bitter sweet goodbye, though. Bitter, because it's over, but sweet because I know I can come back and see these lovely people again. Also, I plan to do some volunteer work for the Museum in the near future.

So, in closing, thank you to all my reader's, the staff at the Museum of Aviation, and anyone else who made my experience truly delightful. I am so thankful for all the skills I will be able to take back to GCSU this fall. I cannot say enough about how happy I am for choosing this place as my internship. I have learned more in ten weeks than I ever thought possible.

Hope to see some of you soon and take care!

F-105G Lands at the Museum of Aviation

The F-105G Thunderchief:

The Wild Weasel

The newly restored F-105G Thunderchief will soon have a new home in Hangar One at the Museum of Aviation. Members of the Restoration staff are busily working together along with Middle Georgia Technical College students to restore the aircraft back to its original camouflage coloring. According to Chief Restoration Supervisor, Dennis Oliver, the restoration process is entering the final stages now. “We’re putting the last of the markings on now,” said Oliver. “We’re dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s.” The decision to repaint the aircraft was due to its inappropriate color scheme for the setting because the Georgia ANG flew the F-105 from 1980-1983. The Museum is restoring the aircraft to its original glory it hasn’t seen since it flew in Southeast Asia, nearly 40 years ago.

The F-105G Thunderchief was originally designed as a supersonic strike fighter capable of delivering a tactical nuclear weapon within enemy territory. The prototype YF-105A first flew in 1955 and the first production, the F-105B entered service in 1958 with the 45th Tactical Fighter Wing. Thunderchiefs were sent into combat in Southeast Asia where F-105 crews flew over 20,000 combat missions and accounted for nearly 75% of the bombing missions flown by the USAF during the conflict. The aircraft housed at the Museum is known as the F-105G, or the “Wild Weasel.” This model was equipped with additional avionics and radar-seeking missiles to detect and destroy enemy radar and missile sites.

Robins AFB shared close ties with the F-105G during much of its operation. The Warner Robins ALC was the primary management and repair center for the avionics, fire control and communication systems, guns and air launched missiles used on all F-105s. The Warner Robins ALC was also involved with developing and maintaining the electronic warfare system used on the F-105G.

The F-105G Thunderchief on display at the Museum of Aviation was originally built by the Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, NY. It was first assigned to the 4520th Combat Crew Training Wing, located at Nellis AFB, NV. The aircraft was retired in April 1983 and is now on permanent exhibit at the Museum of Aviation.

Georgia Invitational Golf Tournament

When one event ends, it’s time to start prepping for another! So it’s time to dust off those old golf clubs and start practicing your swing! That’s right, it’s finally here! The 20th Annual Georgia Invitational Golf Tournament is Thursday, September 24 through Friday, September 25. The annual event is held at Pine Oaks Golf Course on Robins Air Force Base. Participants assemble into four-person scrambles and there are sponsorships available. Call the Museum of Aviation at (478) 923-6600 for more information or visit the Museum’s Web page, here.

Interesting stats:

At last year’s event, a total of 319 golfers turned out the event and raised a total of $352,000 for the Museum of Aviation Foundation.

Former Senator Sam Nunn who started the tournaments in 1990 returned to participate.

To date, the total amount raised for the Museum of Aviation in all tournaments has reached $4,815,100.

Auction -- THIS Saturday!

SATURDAY is the night! Join the Museum of Aviation Foundation for a night of fun!

The 24th Annual Museum of Aviation Foundation Auction, Raffle and Taste of Local Cuisine will begin at 6:30 p.m. with several hundred items available in a silent auction. A one-hour open bar will also be available. The Taste of Local Cuisine starts at 7 p.m., featuring signature food items from over thirty local restaurants and caterers. The night is the followed by the auction at 8 p.m.

The raffle tickets are $75, and include admission for two people. The tickets also give you a chance to win a new car or truck or $20,000 cash! Second place winner receives $2,000 cash and third place receives $500. There will also be several $100 cash prize drawings available.

Don’t miss out on this exciting event! The fundraiser helps the Museum grow. Help support the Museum of Aviation and get your tickets today! For more information or to purchase an auction tickets, visit the Museum Web site at www.museumofaviation.org or call (478) 923-6600.

A Fender Guitar signed by Country music's finest

Today’s highlighted item is an Affinity Series Strat by Fender and comes with a 15 watt guitar amp. The guitar bears the signatures of Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley making it a one of a kind item. Don’t miss out on this item available during the live auction.

But this guitar is not the only prize being offered at the Foundation’s Auction, Raffle and Taste of Local Cuisine. More than 300 items, many of them of the big ticket variety, will be up for bids in the silent and live auctions. Included are home furnishings, restaurant gift cards, furs, jewelry, tandem bikes, sports equipment, lawn and garden items, a scooter, many Step 2 toys, vacation packages such as a two-day stay at Disney World with tickets, weekend stays at Myrtle Beach, S.C., St. Simon’s Island, the Indy 500 VIP package and much more.

Get your ticket to the auction today! The ticket price includes admission for two, and a chance at winning a new car or truck or $20,000 cash. The Auction is one way you can help the Museum sustain its outstanding exhibits and education programs. See you there! Call the Museum of Aviation at (478) 923-6600 for more information, or visit the Museum Web page, here. Auction is Saturday, July 18.

A package where dreams can come true!

You may not win the Super Bowl, but you may be able to say, “I’m going to Disney World!” How? By bidding on the trip to Disney World package, offered at the Museum of Aviation Foundation Auction, Raffle & Taste of Local Cuisine! That’s how!

Walt Disney World Resort is the most visited and largest recreational resort in the world, containing four theme parks, two water parks and twenty-three themed hotels. The resort also offers numerous shopping, dinning, entertainment and recreational venues.

Your fantasy package will include a two-night stay at any Disney owned and operated resort and four one day park hopper tickets.

Get your ticket to the auction today! The ticket price includes admission for two, and a chance at winning a new car or truck or $20,000 cash. The Auction is one way you can help the Museum sustain its outstanding exhibits and education programs. See you there! Call the Museum of Aviation at (478) 923-6600 for more information, or visit the Museum Web page, here. Auction is Saturday, July 18.

A Relaxing Spa Vacation Package

The school year is quickly approaching and that means moms, dads, teachers, principals, and even some students will undoubtedly find themselves needing a vacation and need a relaxing time away. Unfortunately, however, time isn’t always available to us. Sometimes we need just a day to relax. Well, look no further than a relaxing, luxurious, private party at Awaken: Aveda. This cleansing, and therapeutic package is available for bid at the Museum of Aviation Foundation Auction, Raffle and Taste of Local Cuisine.

This relaxing, soothing, special package includes mini facials, hands massages, chair massages, makeup touches and consultations. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will help complete your blissful journey. Take along your friends or significant other for a great “mini” vacation with a lasting, grand result.

Get your ticket to the auction today! The ticket price includes admission for two, and a chance at winning a new car or truck or $20,000 cash. The Auction is one way you can help the Museum sustain its outstanding exhibits and education programs. See you there! Call the Museum of Aviation at (478) 923-6600 for more information, or visit the Museum Web page, here. Auction is Saturday, July 18.