The American Heritage Museum is honored to host the 95th Birthday Celebration for Lt Col Enoch “Woody” Woodhouse II on Friday, January 14th to honor his fellow servicemen past and present of the heralded Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American pilots and crews who served in World War II.
As we enter the 80th Anniversary of the United States entering the fight in World War II, it is extremely important that we remember our veterans of the war. Even more so, we aim to show our respect and gratitude for the fellow pilots and crews of the Tuskegee Airmen who served alongside Lt Col Woodhouse as they fought racial discrimination, segregation, and prejudice in addition to serving their country in the fight against the Axis powers.
Our event honoring Lt Col Woodhouse on January 14th is also being hosted as a fundraiser to develop a permanent living history exhibit to honor the Tuskegee Airmen: the restoration of Fairchild PT-19A s/n 43-31512 that has documented history as a primary trainer for the group in 1944 at Tuskegee AAF in Alabama. This is the only PT-19 with such history in existence and is one of only three original aircraft used by the Tuskegee Airmen remaining in the world.
Your donation to attend the event will be used to continue the restoration effort of this aircraft to return it to flying condition to provide a lasting living history tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen so they will be remembered for generations to come.
Most Tuskegee pilots first trained in PT-17 Stearman aircraft, also known as the Kaydet (PT stands for Primary Trainer). The Stearman is well known for its solid flying characteristics and rugged construction. Boeing built over 10,000 PT-17 Stearmans during the 1930s and 1940s. Thousands of pilots flew this plane first during WWII. Only two PT-17 Stearman aircraft with documented history as a Primary Trainer with the Tuskegee Airmen exist today… this aircraft, s/n 41-25454 on display at the American Heritage Museum, and another on static display at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.
You will have your picture taken in front of the Stearman at the American Heritage Museum as Lt Col Woodhouse presents you with his limited edition challenge coin.
Funds raised from this event will go toward the restoration of a national treasure. The American Heritage Museum is restoring the last known remaining Fairchild PT-19A used to train Tuskegee Airmen pilots (s/n 9504AE, 43-31512) as a project requiring full rebuild. The records of the aircraft note that this aircraft was manufactured by Aeronca in Middletown OH and was delivered to the U.S. Army on February 6th, 1944. It was assigned to the Primary Pilot Training School, Tuskegee AAF in Alabama on February 12th, 1944.
The PT-19A is currently under restoration at American Aero Services in New Smyrna Beach, FL and is anticipated to continue for at least another 1-2 years with an estimated expense of over $150,000 before it is completed and placed on flyable display at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, MA. Once there, it will be prominently exhibited in honor of the African American pilots and crews that overcame segregation and prejudice and served with distinction and honor during World War II.
The American Heritage Museum at the Collings Foundation featuring the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection explores major conflicts ranging from the Revolutionary War until today. Visitors discover and interact with our American heritage through the history, the changing technology, and the Human Impact of America’s fight to preserve the freedom we all hold dear
American Heritage Museum
568 Main Street
Hudson, MA 01749
American Heritage Museum
568 Main Street
Hudson, MA 01749
Phone: (978) 562-9182
Fax: (978) 568-8231
General: ahm@collingsfoundation.org