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AVIATION HERITAGE PARK

A memorial ensuring that all Southern Central Kentucky aviator's stories are never forgotten
From the time man first took flight in the early 1900's to the recent shuttle missions into space, South Central Kentucky has played a significant role in the history of aviation. One of the first pilots to fly in combat claimed ties to Bowling Green, as did a World War I flying ace, a pioneer instructor pilot, a Vietnam war hero, Commanders of the famed Air Force Thunder birds and Navy Blue Angels, the Commander/Pilot of “Marine One”, the presidential helicopter unit and the Mission Commander for the space shuttle Atlantis. These aviators – and their ties to South Central Kentucky – deserve to be recognized and celebrated so that future generations might be made aware of and motivated by their extraordinary achievements. 

Aviation Heritage Park currently has five aircraft displayed in the park and will soon add a sixth, the Huey displayed at Hangar Party 2017. Each of these artifacts tells the story of a hero pilot. So far, all of these pilots are WKU graduates. And, the Huey is no different.


Aircrafts

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Grumman Panther 
The Panther being flown by LCDR John Magda at the time of his death was an F9F-2, an earlier version of the Panther on display at the park. The Panther on display was accepted by the Navy on April 25, 1952 and has flown a total of 2,343 hours. Active duty stations include North Carolina, Japan and California. It was last assigned to the Naval Reserve at NAS Minneapolis on February 28, 1958. The aircraft was on public display at Winona, MN for a number of years. In November 2007, the National Naval Aviation Museum gave special permission to restore the aircraft in Blue Angels colors and placed it on loan to Warren County to be an exhibit in Aviation Heritage Park.
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NASA T-38 Talon 
The F-111 pioneered several technologies for production aircraft, including variable-sweep wings, afterburning turbofan engines, and automated terrain-following radar for low-level, high-speed flight. Its design influenced later variable-sweep wing aircraft, and some of its advanced features have since become commonplace. 
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F-111 Aardvark
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Phantom 550
A plane with local historical significance, the Phantom II is the actual plane (#550) that Brig. Gen. Dan Cherry flew in the Vietnam War when he shot down a MiG-21. Follow the amazing story of the plane’s recovery, restoration and reuniting of pilots.

NEWS

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Hangar Party Remembers Vietnam
by F-4DPhantom on January 4, 2018  in UncategorizedHangar Party tickets are available now and going FAST! Purchase online here or pick them up at Ford’s Furniture, Nat’s Outdoor Sports, Chuck’s Liquor, and Barbara Stewart Interiors. They are $40/adults, $15/children six-12, five and under are free.
This year’s event will host displays honoring regional heroes of the Vietnam War.
We invite you to see the photo walls and rosters of helicopter crew members. These are the men who piloted, acted as gunners, were air evac, performed maintenance, and all the other jobs necessary to support the helicopter’s mission in their assignments in Southeast Asia.
There will be a photo memorial wall to the 24 Warren County men Killed in Action.
Those interested in the history of warfare will want to check out the artifacts on display in the tent. Robert Decker will be bringing a VN War display from the Patton Museum at Fort Knox.  A second display will be BATTLEFRONT! A special Vietnam War display and Living History group featuring standard equipment used by US forces in Vietnam dating from 1965 to 1973. See standard issue grunt in the jungle to Special Forces operating on secret missions as agents in the North Vietnamese Army.
Wall of Honor at Hangar Party 2017Hangar Party 2017 will feature both a roster and photo wall of veterans who have a connection to a Huey, such as pilots, ground crew, flight crew, medical evacuation and other roles. If you know of anyone who served in this capacity during the Vietnam War, please contact Aviation Heritage Park (270) 421-4885.
Additionally, there will be a wall of honor featuring the individual photos of those servicemen who were from Warren County Kentucky Killed in Action during the Vietnam War.  Tickets to the Hangar Party are available by clicking this link or by visiting Ford’s Furniture, all Chuck’s Liquors,  Nat’s, Barbara Stewart Interiors and Miracle Mattress June 1.


Personalized Bricks 

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Make your mark in the Park!

Be a part of our tomorrow with a personalized brick in the Aviation Heritage Park Memorial Plaza!As Aviation Heritage Park continues to grow and memorialize the aviators of South Central Kentucky, you can be a permanent part of our future with a handsome, personalized brick, set in our Memorial Plaza. 
The UH-1 will be on permanent display on the pad adjacent to the Memorial Plaza.
Take this opportunity to have your name (or someone of your choice’s name) engraved and installed at the park.  With this permanent record you can commemorate military service, anniversaries, gradutions, friendships and other important events in your life.
For a donation of $100 your brick will have three lines of engraved characters.  Each line may contain 20 characters (including letters, spaces and punctuation) and each letter will be about 3/4 of an inch high.  After filling in the three lines of text use the “Buy Now” button below to make a secure online purchase.
*All suggested inscriptions will be subject to the Regulations and Guidelines adopted by the AHP Board of Directors on October 27, 2010.  The board’s decision will be final.

Past Events 

Every year, the Aviation Heritage Park hosts its annual Hangar Party! 
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Hangar Party
PRICE: $40 Adults, $15 Kids age 6-12
Barbecue Dinner 
Beverages 
Vintage Aircraft Display 
Aerial Demonstrations 
Featuring CMA Artists 
Saturday, June 17th,2017
​Gates Open at 5PM 
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Picnic in the Park 
FREE ENTRY
Join the Warren County Public Library  for a picnic at Aviation Heritage Park in honor of the total solar eclipse on August 21, 12:30-2 pm! 

CONTACT US

Joe Tinius
Aviation Heritage Park President
Kathy Benson
Executive Assistant
Phone: 270-421-4885
E-Mail: aviationheritagepark@gmail.com
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1526
Bowling Green, KY 42102-1526

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  • Plan A Trip
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Travel Guide
    • Kentucky Spirit Maps
    • KOA MAP/Off Road
  • EXPERIENCES
    • BLOGS
    • Photo Contest Rules
  • GALLERY
  • Events
  • Register
  • LOGIN
  • Discounts
  • Trips
  • MEMBER
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • Video Tours
  • Category