‘Wings of Glory’ Show to Benefit Air Museum

Viewed from the air over the barrels of the twin 50-caliber machine guns mounted in the tail-gunner’s turret, the Queen Mary looked like a puny relic from another age. Nearby, glistening white in the sun, the dome of the enormous Spruce Goose resembled more that of an expansive sitting duck.

Swooping low over the familiar scene, the B-25 bomber took another run with its guns at the ready. “That ought to wake the neighbors up,” said a voice over the intercom as the metal of the fuselage vibrated noisily under the strain of the airplane’s two propellers.

Time was when such flights struck fear in the hearts of those over whom they soared. During World War II, B-25s became famous for their use in air raids. On this day, however, this 60-foot 1943 bomber was churning harmlessly over the benign waters of Long Beach Harbor.

And on Saturday it will be sitting on the Tarmac at Douglas Aircraft Co. for the Douglas Historical Foundation’s first annual “Wings of Glory” display featuring 25 to 30 airplanes and helicopters built from 1928 to the present. Its purpose: to kick off a fund-raising effort aimed at creating a city museum dedicated to aviation history.

Ultimately, said Dewey Smith, president of the independent nonprofit foundation, the museum will house a permanent as well as a revolving collection of historical airplanes and aircraft memorabilia, along with a small library and displays pertaining to the role of Douglas Aircraft in aviation history.

Foundation officials estimate the cost of the new museum at about $12 million.

This weekend’s display will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on McDonnell Douglas grounds south of Wardlow Road and east of Cherry Avenue near the company’s Building 54.

Admission to the event is $3 for adults, $2 for senior citizens and free for children under age 12.