American Society of Aviation Artists  

The beginning of May saw the Museum host the American Society of Aviation Artists forum and exhibition. Approximately 50 of the country’s premiere aviation artists were on hand to present their works for judging by their peers and to share the excitement of the San Diego area’s aeronautical venues. Bill Allen hosted the group for a dinner dance on one evening and the group enjoyed a trip to Chino to visit Yanks and Planes of Fame museums. Admiral David Buss (Commander of Naval Air Forces) gave the opening speech and set the tone for a great five day program. The juried artwork will hang in the Museum until August 1. It is well worth the visit to take in the exhibition.

Presidio to Pacific Powerhouse

Our Museum is one of nine institutions taking part in a collaboration entitled “Presidio to Pacific Powerhouse.” It tells the story of the military influence on the area from the first settlements to the present.  San Diego History Center is the anchor institution and they are displaying artifacts from the participating museums at their location, while special and related items in our own building are tagged for attention by visitors. A trip to the park offers the opportunity to take it all in.

Swap Meet & Airshow

June 7, saw the Museum open its Gillespie Field Annex doors for our semi-annual “Model Swap Meet.”  It was, as always, very well attended with an abundance of buyers and sellers looking for that just right book or model. This is a Museum fundraiser and we did very well thanks in no small part to Tony Beres, who organizes the show, and the Library and Curatorial crew that manned our tables.

The Swap Meet coincides each Spring with the annual airshow put on by Air Group One of the Commemorative Air Force. As in years past, our crew at Gillespie Field prepped and polished most of our combat jet fleet and tugged them over to the airshow flight-line for static display. The Museum’s aircraft are always a big hit offering for many the only chance they will ever have to stand up close to, and become familiar with, those historically significant aerial artifacts.   

Baby AlbatrossDisplaying a new aircraft in the Balboa Park facility is always an exciting event and this week’s lift was no exception. Our exhibits crew carefully prepared the area and lofted our Bowlus “Baby Albatross” to the ceiling in the Rearwin Gallery area where it joins its sister ship the “Paper Wing.”  This is a gorgeous example of sail-plane craftsmanship on loan to the Museum by Wayne Spani.  Don’t miss it.