The “Trailblazers” from The Men’s Club in Fountain Hills traveled 145 miles to view aeronautical and space history at the famous Pima Air and Space Museum Wednesday, April 9.
The largest non-governmental-funded aviation and space museums in the world feature more than 400 historic aircraft, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner, plus 125,000 artifacts, according to a press release.
The museum sits on an 80-acre site and opened its doors to the public in May of 1976. During the past 50 years, it has grown immensely and today, encompasses six indoor air-conditioned exhibit hangars (three dedicated to WWII).
The museum was toured by 12 club members and guests. The facility is operated by the not-for-profit Arizona Aerospace Foundation (AAF).
Several club members shared stories of family members being deployed to a B-36 squadron in the Korean War or to Morocco. One former club member, Moylan (Moe) Smith, flew over 25 missions over Germany.
Expert commentary on many displays was provided by Dave Wingert, a retired aeronautical engineer and former club president. Current club member Keith Betsch - who logged over 2,000 hours piloting an Air Force C-141 - recognized the tail number of the actual plane he flew on display at the museum.
Betsch mesmerized the group with his experiences on a supersonic sortie in the F-101 Voodoo.
The club’s visit to the museum included a lunch at the museum’s Flight Grill featuring an exposed floor-to-ceiling kitchen. Not to be missed is The Women in Flight Gallery exhibit which features a tribute to Sally Ride, the first woman in space.
For more information about club membership or other club events and activities, contact The Club in Fountain Hills at infotheclubfh@gmail.com or visit theclubfh.com.
The mission of The Club is to promote a non-profit, non-political, secular environment, where all club members and their guests may associate for civilized conversation in a welcoming physical setting.
Members regularly gather for quality self-cooked dinners, card games, billiards, a golf simulator and a convivial atmosphere. The primary rule: no politics, no religion and no judgment.
