You’ve Seen the Movie, Now Hear From the Real Life Heroes

Fantasy of Flight Celebrates National Black History Month with

Visit from the Tuskegee Airmen, Feb. 9-11, 2012

Legendary Heroes Include “Red Tails” Film Consultant Leo Gray, as well as

Daniel Keel and George Hardy

 

Three Tuskegee Airmen, African American veterans of World War II and former combat pilots of the P51 fighter plane recently been portrayed in the Lucas “Red Tails” film, will reunite this Thurs., Feb 9 through Sat., Feb. 11 at Fantasy of Flight. The event features three distinguished Airmen —Leo Gray, 91, Ft. Lauderdale, who served as a consultant on the recently released Lucas “Red Tails” film, as well as Daniel Keel, 89, Leesburg and George Hardy, 86, Sarasota.

In honor of Black History Month, the “Legends & Legacies Symposium Series” kicks off with “They Dared to Fly,” in which three of the remaining Tuskegee Airman, the first African Americans to be trained as WWII military pilots, will reunite at Fantasy of Flight to share their recollections of wartime military service during segregated America. Of the original group of nearly 1,000 trained pilots and 15,000 ground personnel that made up the Tuskegee Airmen, roughly 50 pilots and 200 ground crew are alive today.

Fantasy of Flight’s permanent multi-media Tuskegee Airmen exhibit, which also includes previously recorded interviews with several of the pioneering Airmen, provides the perfect backdrop for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the brave men who fought America’s enemies abroad while enduring racism at home.

 

Guests will enjoy several open-forum/question-and-answer sessions followed by meet/greets as well as view breathtaking flight demonstrations featuring one of the fully restored aircraft on display at Fantasy of Flight, as well as see a P51 Mustang “Red Tail” and TP40 Warhawk, planes the Tuskegee Airmen flew.

 

“They Dared to Fly” open forum/question-and-answer session followed by a meet and greet and photo sessions with some of the airmen.

Thursday, Feb. 9 10:30 a.m.* and 2:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 10 10:30 a.m.* and 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 11 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

* More than 500 school children are scheduled to attend either the Thursday and Friday events.

The event is included free in the price of general admission of $28.95 for adults, $26.95 for seniors over 55, $14.95 children ages 6 – 12, plus 7 % tax. Children five and under are free with full paying adult. For tickets or more information, visit www.fantasyofflight.com or call (863) 984-3500.

 

Fantasy of Flight is home to the World’s Greatest Aircraft Collection with over 40 rare and vintage aircraft on display. Fantasy of Flight is located off I4 at Exit 44 mid-way between Orlando and Tampa. 1400 Broadway Blvd., S.E., Polk City, Fla.  33868.

 

This very special appearance by three of the few remaining African-American WWII combat pilots coincides with Black History Month and the recently released Lucas “Red Tails” film making for a great photo and autograph session for the public.