Monday, August 24, 2009

Flights of our Fathers Fly-In, Oct. 2nd & 3rd


Join us in Terrell, Texas on October 2nd and 3rd for Flights of our Fathers Fly-In. On the heels of the Terrell Photowalk, I will be hosting a photowalk at the Fly-In. If you have a camera and can upload pictures, sign up. Photos can be submitted from the dinner dance on Friday night, the pancake breakfast on Saturday morning, or the Fly-in festivities on Saturday. I will be attending the Fly-In on Saturday and I will send out and post more information here about where to meet up. A page will be created on flickr for photos to be uploaded. Of the photos uploaded to flickr, a panel of judges (not me!) will pick the top 3. They will be placed on a web page and a winner will be selected by the readers. The winner will have their picture published in the Terrell Tribune and may be used in the Fly-In promotion next year. More information as we get closer to the Fly-In

Below is the press release for the fly-in. Even if you don't want to participate in the photowalk, come out, have fun and take pictures of the vintage aircraft.

“Flights of our Fathers” Fly-in at the British Flying Training School Museum
A Dinner and Dance with entertainment will reunite WWII veterans on October 2nd and commemorate cooperation between US and British Allied Forces, and Canadian friendship. Dinner tickets are $35. Saturday morning festivities start with a pancake breakfast at 7:30am at the airport which is available for $5. After breakfast, visitors can view vintage planes, antique cars and military vehicles while youth participate in various aviation activities and games. The British Flying Training School Museum Fly-In seeks to honor the Allied Forces with entertainment and ceremonies. Join us at the Fly-in. Tickets to the Fly-In $8 for adults, $5 for 5-16 and senior citizens.


The British Flying Training School Museum and the City of Terrell are preparing to host the 2009 Flights of Our Fathers fly-in at the municipal airport and museum. The event begins with a diner dance on Friday night, October 2nd starting with a cocktail reception with British pilots, Canadian Air Force Officers, US pilots, and dignitaries. Dinner will be catered by Double T Restaurant after which the entertainment will begin.
The 20 piece Heritage Brass Band will provide music for the dinner/dance. The band members will be in uniform and play 40's music. The "Andrews Sisters" will be there to entertain as well. Class Act, a fabulous group of tap dancers were a big hit last year and will be here again to dance. North East Texas Fine Arts Alliance (NETFAA) will again have their pictures on display.
Heritage Brass Band will also be providing music for a Memorial Service that will be held for all veterans on October 4th.
About 7:30am on October 3rd the flag will be raised to taps and the gates opened for general admission. The morning’s event will begin with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Civil Air Patrol Black Sheep Squadron. The cadets will serve up pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee for a $5 donation. After breakfast guests can view vintage planes, vintage military vehicles and antique cars.
The British Flying Training School Museum will be open on October 3rd for tours with a docent or on your own. The museum has added and improved the displays and added equipment and historic memorabilia that will please the crowds.

The morning will also see artists arrive with their canvases to paint their choice of planes, antique cars, military vehicles, or artifacts in the museum. With limited time, the artist will challenge themselves to complete paintings before the 1pm judging. This style of painting is known as 'plein air' and will be hosted by the North East Texas Fine Arts Alliance (NETFAA).
There will also be a Photo Walk hosted by Jim Klenke of TerrellDailyPhoto.com. Photographers will be welcome to take photographs of the 2 day event and submit their photos for judging. The winning photos will be considered for use in next year’s publicity.
About noon the Marines will post the colors. The Mayor will issue a proclamation, there will be a brief address, then the Commemorative Air Force fliers, skydivers and other aerobatics will begin.
The WWII British Flying Training School Reunion Dinner on Friday is being held to honor the British pilots who trained in the United States and the American officers and civilian staff who assisted with that training. Over 2,000 young men passed through the training facility staffed by American men and women who taught the cadets to effectively fly a war plane using simulators and planes that will be on display along with other period artifacts.
Tom Killebrew, author of the book, "The Royal Air Force in Texas", recounting the history of the BFTS and the people who served there, will also lecture and sign books. Taps and Last Post will be heralded by a trumpeter as the US and UK flags are lowered at 4 p.m., concluding the event.
Tickets to the Dinner are $30 and tickets can be purchased either online or at Terrell Marketing Center.
Admission to Saturday's Fly-In is $8 for adults, $5 for ages 5 – 16 and seniors 65 and over. For more information call (927) 524-4322 or go to the website:
British Flying Training School Museum ( BFTSMuseum.org)