American Airpower Museum's WWII Warbirds To Join Jones Beach Show

EAST FARMINGDALE, NY — American Airpower Museum (AAM), an East Farmingdale-based museum, plans to continue its participation in the Jones Beach Air Show on Memorial Day weekend.

The museum is slated to fly its "Arsenal of Democracy" warbirds over Jones Beach on May 29 and 30. AAM's fleet of iconic and meticulously restored military aircraft will include a B-25 Mitchell Bomber, Douglas C-47 Skytrain troop transporter, Grumman TBM Avenger Torpedo Bomber, Curtiss P-40 Flying Tiger, P-51D Mustang Fighter, AT-6 Texan Warbird and AT28D5 Nomad Vietnam Era Fighter.

For those looking to avoid the Wantagh Parkway crawl to Jones Beach, they are invited to spend time at Hangar 3 instead. The hangar is due to open 10 a.m. on May 29 and 30.

People are invited to arrive early, park, sign in and enjoy the exhibits. During the morning, the crowd will be called outside to watch the AAM's pilots start their engines, taxi and lift off, performing exciting flybys with Republic Air Traffic Control permission, before leaving to join the Jones Beach Air Show.

Museumgoers are encouraged to have lunch and then watch as the aircraft return from Jones Beach in the afternoon, touch down and taxi back to Hangar 3.

Flight experiences are also available each day on AAM’s AT-6 Texan and Waco Biplane.

AAM also plans to welcome three visiting U.S. Navy EF/A-18 Super Hornets from May 27 through May 30. The Hornets are supersonic combat jets, designed as both fighters and attack aircraft. Exclusive to AAM, Hornets are not in the Jones Beach Air Show and will be on AAM’s ramp all four days. People are encouraged to arrive early a.m. as the Hornets touch down at Republic on Thursday, May 27. They are scheduled to depart on either May 31 or June 1.

Jeff Clyman, the founder of AAM, said the goal of the four-day salute is two-fold.

"To honor the men and women of the ‘Greatest Generation’ who built, maintained and piloted the iconic warbirds of yesteryear in a bold defense of freedom during World War II, as well as active duty military, national guard and reservists who continue this mission and command the skies in advanced supersonic jet aircraft to our present day," he said.

Clyman intends the four-day experience for those who do not want to make the trek to Jones Beach. Drivers can park for free in AAM’s lot and along New Highway.

"Bring the family, hang out with us all day, and watch exciting warbirds in action each day!" the AAM wrote in an email.

AAM admission for adults is $15; $10 for seniors and veterans; and $8 for children ages 5 through 12. Tickets and pre-registration are not required, and admission is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The Museum can now operate at 100 percent capacity in accordance with New York’s May 19 lifting of coronavirus pandemic-related capacity limits.

However, guests will still need to abide by social distancing and wear face masks. Temperatures will be taken at the door.

The AAM's hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all four days of the event. AAM is also open on Memorial Day.