The National WASP WWII Museum will hold a fly-in, “A Warbird and Friends Homecoming,” May 8, 2021, on Avenger Field (KSWW) in Sweetwater, Texas, where most of the Women Airforce Service Pilots trained.
The fly-in begins at 9 a.m., with an opening ceremony planned for 10 a.m.
Activities planned for the day, which concludes at 4 p.m., include a display of Warbird, Air Force, and Naval aircraft, food trucks, music, and kid’s activities, a pilot meet and greet, as well as a tour of the newly renovated museum campus.
In conjunction with the homecoming fly-in, EAA Chapter 471 will host a Young Eagles event, offering free rides to kids between the ages of 8 and 17.
Museum officials note they are hoping to set a one-day record for the number of Vultee BT-13s — the WASP’s basic training — on one airfield.
“All BT-13 pilots are invited to help the WASP Museum make history,” officials said, adding partial fuel reimbursement is available for BT-13 owners.
Other WASP era aircraft in attendance will include the Boeing Stearman PT-17 “Kaydet” Primary Trainer, Fairchild PT-19 “Cornell” Primary Trainer, and Cessna UC-78 “Bamboo Bomber” Advanced Trainer.
In celebration of the barriers the WASP broke for all women in aviation, Colonel Carey “Mamba” Jones, Laughlin Air Force Base’s 47th Flying Training Vice Wing Commander, will be present. Attending the fly-in with her will be women pilots flying in the T-6 Texan II and the T-1 Jayhawk.
In addition, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is slated to bring the T-6 Texan and the T-6B Texan II with Lt. Holly Pace in attendance.
For more information on the event or pilot participation, call Lisa Taylor at 325-235-0099 or visit the museum’s events page at WASPMuseum.org.