Exhibits - American Airpower Museum

The American Airpower Museum is proudly housed in one of the few remaining Republic Aviation Hangars built in 1940 to support what would be wartime production of the P-43, and the P-47 during WWII. Its history continues into the birth of the Jet Age and would be the site of aircraft production and finishing up until the 1980s when Fairchild Republic would close its plant permanently at Farmingdale in 1987. The American Airpower Museum now preserves the legacy of this legendary aircraft maker and further preserves our nations aviation history for future generations. Although our aircraft collection is impressive, it is our hangar full of historic displays and exhibits that tell the story about the aircraft, and more importantly the people who built, flew, and maintained them. Our exhibits spotlight different aspects of our aviation and military history and have been masterfully designed and built by a dedicated corps of volunteer historians and talented craftsmen to give our visitors an immersive experience while they tour our historic hangar and flight line.

Some of the exhibits you can enjoy while visiting our museum include:

Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Tribute
WWI
War Correspondents
Women Air Service Pilots
Tuskegee Airmen
Republic Aviation
WWII Prisoners of War
Vietnam War
D-Day – Airborne display (with our still flying C-47)

The American Airpower Museum North American AT-28D-5 USAF serial number 49-1496 is currently part of a private collection, currently on loan to the museum for display and operation

Our AT-28D-5 was manufactured by North American Aviation, Inglewood California as a T28A “Trojan” trainer and delivered to the USAF on 2 May 1950. Being one of the first of its type is went on to the 2759thExperimental Wing (Air Materiel Command), Edwards AFB CA in the same month. It would go on to be modified into an ET-28A at the 2750thAir Base Wing (AMC), Wright-Patterson AFB OH in August of 1950. It would serve as a test aircraft for the HQ Air Research and Development Command, Wright-Patterson AFB until June of 1951 when it returned to Edwards AFB and the 2759th Experimental Wing. It remained at Edwards AFB assigned to the 6510thAir Base Wing, 6512thTest Pilot Training Squadron, and the AF Flight Test Center until May of 1962. It briefly was assigned to the 3550thMaintenance and Supply Group (Air Training Command), Moody AFB GA until finally retired in September of 1962 and placed in storage at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ.

In June of 1965 is was pulled out of mothball and sent to the North American Aviation Plant in Columbus, OH where it joined other A-Models pulled from storage and converted into the counter-insurgency light attack variant requested by the USAF for use in the burgeoning conflict in South East Asia and designated the AT-28D-5. Built to the NAA NA-260 specifications with its additional combat upgrades it would pick up the nickname of the NOMAD.

Upon completion of its overhaul from an A-model to the D-Model it was sent to Sacramento Air Logistics Area, McClellan AFB CA in July of 1966, where it was transferred to the growing Military Assistance Program in South East Asia. Delivered to Thailand between 1966 and 1967 as part of MAP aid to Laos it was transferred and operated by the USAF “Raven” Program in combat operations from 1968-1970 operating out of Udorn Air Base in Thailand where it was maintained by Air America although operated under the guidance of the USAF Air Attache’ in Laos. Eventually operated by Air America pilots 49-1496 operated out of Thailand in Laos, and Vietnam until 1973 when it was transferred to the Laotian Air Force.

Our North American AT-28D-5 is still in its stock military configuration as it was during the Vietnam war. The aircraft pays tribute to all those who served during the Vietnam War, specifically honoring the brave USAF Ravens, and Air America CIA airmen who operated in the “secret war” in Laos, and Cambodia.

The AT-28D-5 flies regularly at the museum, and to air shows on the east coast

American Airpower Museum

"Where History Flies!"

AMERICAN AIRPOWER MUSEUM

Where History Flies