Commander Kelly: Historic Flight

Beechcraft Staggerwing D17S
Executive Aviation in the 1930's

In Everett Washington near Paine field you will find an aviation museum called Historic Flight (www.historicflight.org). This museum features commercial and military aircraft that were produced from 1927 to 1957.

The museum was founded in 2003 as a non-profit foundation by John T. Sessions, a Seattle attorney and flight enthusiast. The museum offers visitors a hands-on experience with many of its aircraft. The museum has added about two planes per year to the collection.

"Grumpy" B25D Mitchell

You can enter its B25D bomber named "Grumpy". This aircraft features nose art from the Disney company. These were the type of planes used in the famous Doolittle raid of 1942. (For a discussion of Allied bombing in WWII see earlier posts http://americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.com/2012/04/duxford-andgeorge-carlin.html and http://americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.com/2012/10/raf-bomber-command-memorial-london.html)

"Bad Kitty"
F7F Tiger Cat

Their F7F Tigercat is one of only a handful still in existence. These planes arrived too late to be used in World War II, but were some of the fastest propeller fighters ever built.

"Impatient Virgin"
P-51B Mustang, Historic Flight

Their P-51B Mustang, "Impatient Virgin," saw combat in World War II (see earlier post "Tommy Hitchcock and the P-51 Mustang" http://americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.com/2012/06/tommy-hitchcock-and-p-51-mustang.html). Shortly after V/E day in June 1945 this plane crashed in a beet field near the town of Little Walden in England. There she remained until her discovery in 2002. After years of work she has been beautifully restored and now flies again.

Pan Am DC-3

You will also find an early Pan Am plane that was used as the corporate aircraft for the CEO of Johnson and Johnson. This plane features a cigar humidor for its passengers.

Czech Spitfire Mark IXe

Historic Flight has a beautifully restored late edition Spitfire that was used in a Czech fighter wing World War II. This plane reminds us that not all RAF pilots were British (see earlier posts http://americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.com/2013/05/raf-museum-hendon.html and http://americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.com/2013/05/raf-st-clement-danes-church.html). This plane later served in the Israeli air force.

Admission is $12 for adults. If you become a member you can even fly aboard these historic aircraft -- it costs $495, for example, to fly in the B-25D Mitchell "Grumpy". If you don't want to spend that kind of money or can't come to Washington state see video below!

Commander Kelly says, "If you like planes and are in the Northwest be sure to visit Historic Flight!"