Museum Hosts Fun Events During Vacation Week

On Tuesday, the was filled with families checking out the planes and engines, climbing into airplane cockpits
and testing flight simulators.

Gina Marie Alimberti, gift shop manager at the New England Air Museum, said the holiday week is a popular time for families to visit. During the week, the museum hosts different events daily, from paper airplane building to an egg drop challenge.

Ed Rapacky, of Plainville, came to the museum on Tuesday with his wife and two sons, Eddie, 5, and Ethan, 1. He said they have a family membership and visit often to check out the planes. At Tuesday’s open cockpit event, Eddie climbed into a Thunderbolt and checked out how the flaps on the wings and tail worked.

“There are a lot of activities this week, there is always fun stuff to do here,” said Rapacky. “We like to walk around the museum and then watch the jets take off afterward.”

Volunteer docent Craig Robinson of West Hartford said there was a good turnout on Tuesday.

“We learn from people ourselves, some of the visitors are people who have flown similar planes and talk about their experiences,” he said. “Also as we move around to different planes we learn about each aircraft.”

There were about six planes kids and adults could climb into, including the World War II military Thunderbolt, a helicopter, a Coast Guard rescue plane and a jet fighter. The museum also has antique cars and motorcycles.

Karen Hussey, of Litchfield, brought her triplets and niece and nephew to the museum. “This is one of our favorite places to come,” she said. “My niece and nephew haven’t been here before and we all enjoyed the open cockpit event.”

Events this week an Aero Modeling Workshop Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on a first-come first-served basis. This activity takes about an hour and a half to complete, with building and flying the model. Children ages 8-14 can build and fly their own models. All children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a $4 cost for the kit.

Friday is the Egg-Fantastic Egg Drop Challenge. Gravity is indeed a harsh mistress, especially if you are an egg. Create a device that can keep a naked egg intact when dropped. Staff will provide the materials and the "egg-spert" advice to help create an original protective device for the egg, which will be dropped off the balcony of the B-29 Hangar to see if it can survive the fall. All ages are welcome to compete.

During the week patrons will also have the opportunity to try the new Flight Sim Zone, museum officials said. Immerse yourself in the adventure of aviation in a high-tech simulation experience where you get to be the pilot and fly. The Flight Sim Zone is presented by the Hiller Aviation Museum & NASA.

The New England Air Museum is located adjacent to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week. For further information, call the museum at 860-623-3305 or visit the museum on the web.