The Cradle of Aviation Museum

LEGENDS OF AIR & SPACE LECTURE SERIES

NO GUTS…NO GLORY

An evening with Korean War Fighter Pilot Ace
Major General (Ret) Frederick “Boots” Blesse

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Admission: $10.00 ($8.00 for museum members)
Special Buffet Dinner at 6:00 PM $25.00 (includes lecture ticket)

Over a military career spanning thirty years, Major General “Boots” Blesse has distinguished himself in many ways. After graduating from West Point he spent the next 28 years actively flying fighter aircraft including four combat tours, two in Korea and two in Vietnam.

During combat in Korea he flew 67 missions in the P-51, 35 in the F-80 and 121 in the F-86 receiving credit for shooting down 10 enemy aircraft, becoming the leading Jet Ace when he returned to the United States in 1952. In Vietnam he flew a total of 157 missions in the F-4, 108 over North Vietnam. His flying career has earned him 40 different decorations including the Distinguished Service Cross.

As an accomplished author he wrote a fighter tactics manual, “No Guts, No Glory” that was used by the Air Force for over 23 years as well as an autobiography, “Check Six, A Fighter Pilot Looks Back”. General Blesse retired from active duty in 1975 and spent 16 years working for Grumman Corporation.

The Cradle of Aviation Museum is thrilled to have a true American hero, Major General Frederick “Boots” Blesse join us as part of our Legends of Air & Space Lecture Series.

General Blesse will be available to sign copies of his book after the lecture.

Seating is limited and reservations are required.
For information and to reserve your seat, please call 516-572-4066.

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary Of the 106th Rescue Wing

The Cradle of Aviation Museum is proud to honor the 100th Anniversary of the oldest flying rescue unit in the country, Long Island's own 106th Rescue Wing.

Based in Westhampton Beach at Gabreski Airport, the 106th operates and maintains the only rescue aircraft in the northeast designed for aerial refueling. The 106th was prominently featured in the Hollywood film, "The Perfect Storm."

To commemorate the occasion the Cradle has a series and events and activities planned for visitors to enjoy including:

"Salute to the 106th" weekend, May 17 and 18 where children under 12 receive free admission to all museum galleries. As well as an opportunity to meet with members of the 106th Rescue Wing. This weekend at the museum is sponsored by National Grid.
New interactive exhibit highlighting the history and role the 106th plays in supporting our country.

Special dinner benefiting a scholarship fund for children of Wing members on May 15th at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

For more information please call (516) 572-4066

THE LONG ISLAND MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
and THE CRADLE OF AVIATION MUSEUM
INVITE YOU TO "PUT YOURSELF AT RISK!"

For the sheer fun of it, of course! Risk!, is a traveling exhibit that opened inside the Reckson Center at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on November 3rd, giving you a playful and informative look at risk and risk assessment in a way that could change how you view risk in your own life.

Risk!, an exhibit developed by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and customized to 1,600 square feet for LIMSAT at the Cradle of Aviation, showcases a variety of interactive, realistic experiences that invite you to explore and understand risk and the part it plays in everyday life. The designer's hope is that Risk! will help Guests better understand and deal with risk using science, mathematics, and critical thinking skills. "An exhibit on risk assessment is especially relevant to the aircraft collection at the Cradle of Aviation," said Benjamin Parris, Executive Director of LIMSAT and project manager for the exhibit," and everything that goes on in aerospace today. NASA recently had to choose whether to fly the space shuttle down to Earth with a gouge in its belly, or try to repair it and possibly make it worse. Which risk do you choose?"

Risk! presents some extraordinary, eye-opening situations that emphasize our perception or misperception of risk. Risk! is designed for children ages 12 and up and adults and is also appropriate for elementary school-age children. It will run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm every day except Mondays, but is open for holidays. This limited-run bonus exhibit is free with a general admission ticket.

LIMSAT also hosts and curates The Long Island Technology Hall of Fame, on the Third Floor of the Cradle's Reckson Visitor Center.