Pearl Harbor Day Breakfast draws many area veterans
"Sadly, Mother Nature was in a very bad mood Saturday," said NCAM General Manager/Curator Rick Bondurant, referring to the windy downpour that coincided with the early-morning Dec. 5 event. "In 2008, we had around 120! This year, however, we were down about 20-30 percent, but I can't really blame anyone for not getting out on the roads that morning. It was NASTY."
Several local businesses came together in support of the event including: Atkinson Milling Co. Distributor Donnie Edwards (Pancake Batter), Phillips Brothers Country Hams (Sausage), Pet Dairy (Buttermilk), Randolph Oil Company (Propane) and Asheboro Kiwanis Club members (Pancake Prep).
"I can't thank these wonderful folks enough," said Amy Byrd, event coordinator and volunteer board of directors member. "They played a big part in making it all possible!"
The annual event is free to all veterans, and this year, just $3 for non-vets of all ages. The non-profit museum (featuring about 300 new items on display since July 2008) and the Bob Moon Museum Store were open for browsing throughout the breakfast.
The NCAM
features a one-of-a-kind, unmodified "Flitfire"
flown by Orville Wright in 1943; an S-56 Savoia Marchetti open-cockpit seaplane
(one of two left in the world),
like the one piloted by Smith Reynolds on his 6,000-mile, solo journey from
London to Hong Kong in 1931-32, as well as a two-ton Mk-14 Torpedo Exhibit and Memorial
Submarine Display.
"A few of our newest exhibits include: "Women in Aviation," "The Tuskegee Airmen," "The First Warbirds," "The Boneyard," "The Wright Stuff" and "A Modeler's Dreamland," added Bondurant. "Other Hangar 1 highlights are a PT-13D "Stearman," Air Show Aviator Charlie Kulp's Piper Cub and a Fairchild F-22."
Lining the walls
is a huge collection of authentic military uniforms, equipment, weapons, as
well as a myriad of memorabilia dating back as far as the late 1800s. There are
also dozens of period newspapers, more than 100 pieces of aviation artwork and
three research/viewing areas. Artifacts available for viewing include items
from World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars and even the Cold
War.
Hangar 2 features a "Twin Beech," Swiss P-3, "Bird Dog,'" Army convoy, two Link Trainers and, of course, the torpedo and submarine displays.
About 150 new model aircraft are also now on display as well. Ranging in wingspan from 10 centimeters to 10 feet they include: a 1/5-scale model of the 1903 Wright Flyer provided by Mark Glazer; a P-47D "Thunderbolt" and Messerschmitt BF-109 from Mike Starnes and a radio-controlled Piper J-3 "Cub" courtesy of Tom White.
"We're also involved with on-site restoration and the promotion of aviation awareness through a variety of tours and events designed for those from 7 to 97," said Bondurant.
The facility is
located at 2222-G Pilot's
North Carolina Aviation Museum
2222-G Pilots View Road
Asheboro, NC 27205
Phone: (336) 625-0170
Fax: (336) 625-2984
