Brings back memories

U.S. Air Force retired Maj. Carl Dykman and wife Teri look at exhibits at the World War II Flight Training Museum in Douglas, Ga., Oct. 18, 2011. The World War II Flight Training Museum pays tribute to the 63rd Flight Training Detachment that trained nearly 10,000 combat pilots between 1941 and 1944. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel/Released)

Flight training museum

Exhibits of the World War II Flight Training Museum are showcased Oct. 18, 2011, in one of the original 13 buildings used during WW II in Douglas, Ga. The museum features a large collection of WWII artifacts, aircraft memorabilia and barracks that have been restored to their original look during the war. The museum is open to the public every Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays for groups by special appointment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel/Released)

Looking into the past

Don Jandernoa and John Herrman, both former World War II pilots, look at a model B-24 Liberator in a display case at the World War II Flight Training Museum in Douglas, Ga., Oct. 18, 2011. Jandernoa and Herrman attended pilot training at the 63rd Flight Training Detachment in Douglas during the 1940s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel/Released)

Museum keeps WWII history alive

Published Oct. 27, 2011
By Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
23rd Wing Public Affairs

DOUGLAS, Ga. -- The beginning of World War II resulted in a desperate need for pilots which was filled largely by civilian flying schools.

One of those schools was the 63rd Flying Training Detachment in Douglas, Ga., which trained nearly 10,000 pilots during the war and has since been turned into the World War II Flight Training Museum.

"This is the most intact training detachment from WWII, and most of the original buildings are still in place," said Eda Kenney, the museum's education director. "This museum is a labor of love. We don't receive any state or federal funding, so we do what we can."

Kenney spends her spare time creating displays for the museum, the latest one being about trench art. Trench art is artifacts of war made in decorative pieces of art.

"There's just so much war history that people don't know about," she said. "I'm old enough to remember rations and blackouts. There's so much to learn and share here."

The displays in the museum include detailed living quarters of the instructors complete with WWII mattresses and plenty of authentic artifacts including flight suits and aircraft guns.

Also on the property are vintage aircraft in the process of being restored to a flying state. One aircraft already in such a state is a PT-17 Stearman, the primary trainer used by pilots who graduated from Douglas.

"People involved with the museum have an affection for WWII aviation history," said Alan Carter, Museum board member. "It's also a way for us to pay our respects to American heroes who put their lives on the line for American freedom."

Although many pilots' lives were lost in combat, there was also danger before they even reached that point. More than 400 students died during primary flight training during the war, and the museum's intent is to keep this fact known.

The museum operates as a way to keep the public aware of the effort required to produce a single pilot during the most fatal war in history.

To learn more about the museum, go to No. 3 Airport Circle, Douglas, Ga., call 912-383-9111 or go to www.ww2flighttrainingmuseum.org.