Visitors to Aviation Heritage Park’s Open House this weekend will have a rare opportunity, says President Arnie Franklin. The aircraft are always on public display at the facility located in Basil Griffin Park, but usually with the canopies down and locked. On Saturday, AHP is planning an Open House and park officials will raise the canopies and position platforms for easy viewing.
“We’re going to let the public see the cockpits up close,” Franklin said. “We have worked hundreds of hours to restore the aircraft inside and out, and we wanted this to be a real ‘Open House’!”
In addition to the special displays, AHP plans to have pilots familiar with these particular aircraft host special “walk-around” tours throughout the day. “It’s one thing to stand next to these warbirds and wonder what it’s like to fly them,” said Dan Cherry, pilot of the F4 Phantom. “It’s another to be able to ask questions of
actual pilots, and get detailed descriptions. That’s what we wanted to do for this Open House.”
Special displays are planned for this event, which will run from 10 am to 4 pm. Visitors will be able to sit in the cockpit of the T-33, have their photos taken and get the print on the spot while they wait. Light refreshments are available and kids activities are planned.
The event is free of charge. “The community has been so generous to us,” said Franklin. “We wanted to give something back.”
Aviation Heritage Park is located at Basil Griffin Park, 1825 Three Springs Road. Signs will be posted.
