National WASP WWII Museum

DFW Wing CAF - Warbirds & Wheels Fly-In
2023-09-02 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | DFW Wing CAF, 650 Ferris Rd., Lancaster, Texas, 75146, United States
75+ Classic Cards, Aircraft Rides & Fly-In!

We will be joining the fun and bringing our BT-13 to this fun-filled event. You won’t want to miss it! Visit the link below for more information. Hosted by the DFW Wing CAF, Commemorative Airforce, and Five Oaks Creative.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
2023-07-24 08:00 - 2023-07-30 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Wittman Regional Airport, 525 W 20th Ave, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 54902, United States
See you at EAA AirVenture 2023! Make sure you stop by our booth and see our BT-13 and UC-78 in War Bird Alley. More information will be updated closer to time.

Tinker Air Show
2023-07-01 08:00 - 2023-07-02 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Tinker Air Force Base, 2001 S. Douglas Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73130, United States
Join us at the Tinker Air Show on July 1 – 2, 2023.

Aircraft performances include the US Navy Blue Angels, Doc B-29, Red Tail Squadron CAF Air Act, and so many more! Check out their website below to learn more about the event and performers.

We’ll bring our BT-13 and AT-6! See you at Tinker Air Force Base!

South Plains Airshow
2023-06-10 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Slaton Municipal Airport, 12106 Fm 400, Slaton, Texas, 79364, United States
Get ready for the Biannual Airshow in Slaton, Texas on June 10, 2023.

We’ll bring our BT-13, UC-78, and newly acquired AT-6 and we will see you at the Slaton Municipal Airport!

WASP Homecoming & Fly-In - Journey to the Stars
2023-04-28 08:00 - 2023-04-29 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Get ready for Homecoming 2023! Tickets are currently on sale until April 7th or until sold out. Check out the Homecoming page for updated event information.

Click here to Purchase Tickets

Jolly Jamboree featuring Santa Claus
2022-12-10 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | National WASP WWII Museum – Avenger Field, 210 Avenger Field Rd, Sweetwater, Texas, 79556, United States
Join us in welcoming Santa Claus to Avenger Field! He will arrive by a vintage World War II aircraft at 2:00 pm. While waiting to chat with Santa, spend your time munching on some goodies and decorating your own gingerbread house. Bring an assembled, undecorated gingerbread house to decorate with our provided icing and candy. This is a free event but spots are limited for entry. Registration is open now!

Space is limited to 50 families. So register now to reserve your space!

Click here to register now!

CAF - Wings Over Houston Airshow
2022-10-29 08:00 - 2022-10-30 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Ellington Airport, 11602 Aerospace Ave., Houston, Texas, 77034, United States
When you visit the Wings Over Houston AIrshow, come by the National WASP WWII Museum Exhibitor Booth and see our planes on display. You can pick up some WASP merch on your way to see our BT-13 & UC-78 that will be on display. This year’s headliners are the U.S. Navy Blue Angels!

A WASP in the Spotlight featuring Margaret "Peggy" Helburn Kocher 43-W-6
2022-10-15 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Chicago)
Join us for the grand opening of the next featured WASP in the “A WASP in the Spotlight” exhibit. Margaret “Peggy” Helburn Kocher of class 43-W-6 is the WASP being highlighted starting Saturday, October 15, 2022. While visiting for the exhibit unveiling, meet Margaret’s son, Chris, at 5:00 pm. See you there!

High Sky Wing CAF - Airsho
2022-09-10 09:00 - 2022-09-11 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Midland International Air & Space Port, 9600 Wright Dr, Midland, Texas, 79706, United States
If you plan on attending Midland Airsho, come by and see the National WASP WWII Museum’s booth and aircraft! We will have WASP merch from our gift shop available for purchase. The Museum’s BT-13 & UC-78 aircraft will be on display.

DFW Wing CAF - Warbirds & Wheels Fly-In
2022-09-03 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | DFW Wing CAF, 650 Ferris Rd., Lancaster, Texas, 75146, United States
75+ Classic Cards, Aircraft Rides & Fly-In!

We will be joining the fun and bringing our BT-13 & UC-78 to this fun-filled event. You won’t want to miss it! Visit the link below for more information. Hosted by the DFW Wing CAF, Commemorative Airforce, and Five Oaks Creative.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022
2022-07-25 08:00 - 2022-07-31 17:00 (America/Chicago)
See you at EAA AirVenture 2022!! Make sure you stop by our booth, WV11, in the woman’s pavilion and see our BT-13 in War Bird Alley.

A WASP in the Spotlight featuring Dorothy Fulton Slinn
2022-07-16 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Chicago)
Join us for the premiere of the Dorothy Fulton Slinn exhibit presented by Dorothy’s sister, Honey Parker, and author Sarah Bryn Rickman. Cocktail and light appetizers at 5:00 pm. Program followed by Q&A at 5:30. The presentation is free, but registration is required (aka – let us know how much wine we need? 🤷‍♀️)

Click Here To Register Now

Virtual Program - A Conversation with Sarah Byrn Rickman
2022-07-16 13:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
Announcing the May 2022 Release of

Jean Landis WASP Pilot: 2,500 Miles…Long Beach to Newark in a P-51

Colorado Springs, CO, May 1, 2022— Sarah Byrn Rickman, a national authority on the women fliers of World War II, is the author of this, her 12th book about the American women who ferried warplanes for the military in World War II. Known first as WAFS and later as WASP, 134 skilled women pilots, like Jean, qualified to move fighter aircraft to the docks to be shipped to the war zones.

A youthful pioneer spirit and love of adventure led Jean Landis to leave her teaching job and volunteer to fly aircraft for her country in wartime when she was desperately needed. It wasn’t until 2009 that she and other WASP received genuine acknowledgment of their service when they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

The National WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater Texas will host a free virtual program to celebrate the publication of Jean Landis WASP Pilot. The free program will feature Rickman’s interview with Jean Landis in 2014.

Registration is now closed.

Sarah Byrn Rickman is the recipient of 17 book awards including the prestigious Combs Gates Award from the National Aviation Hall of Fame, twice: in 2009, for her history WASP of the Ferry Command; and in 2019 for her then two-book WASP biography series for young adults, BJ Erickson: WASP Pilot and Nancy Love: WASP Pilot. New releases, Betty Gillies WAFS Pilot (2020), Teresa James WAFS Pilot (2021), and now Jean Landis WASP Pilot have expanded the young adult series to 5. Learn more about Sarah at sarahbyrnrickman.com.

Book information:

Jean Landis WASP Pilot: 2,500 Miles…Long Beach to Newark in a P-51

Publication date: May 2022.

ISBN 978-1-7350595-2-5 (pb), list price $ 12.95.

Also available as an ebook.

Published by Flight To Destiny Press, SarahByrnRickman.com

AirFest 2022
2022-05-21 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Come see us at the Big Country Air Fest in Abilene, TX. More information to come.

WASP 2022 Homecoming Fly In
2022-04-30 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | National WASP WWII Museum – Avenger Field, 210 Avenger Field Rd, Sweetwater, Texas, 79556, United States
The National WASP WWII Museum is celebrating 80 years of the WASP program on April 29 – 30 at Avenger Field, the training grounds for most of the WASP. To best honor America’s first females to fly military aircraft, the Museum is recreating a wartime party scene complete with WASP reenactors, a live big band, good food, and – best of all – aircraft.

On Friday, we invite you to attend our 80th WASP Birthday Bash Ball. Proceeds from this evening will benefit the Museum’s plan for all-new exhibits in Hangar 2, a 1929 hangar that served as the first airport for the city of Sweetwater. Come dressed in your best 1940s evening wear or modern cocktail attire.

On Saturday, The WASP flight line will once again hold their training aircraft including fourteen BT-13s, many AT-6s, and other wonderful WWII aircraft including the Yellow Rose B-25, the DC-3, the Corsair, and Glamorous Glen P-51. All-female crews will be in attendance with Navy and Air Force aircraft. Visitors may even spot an Army helicopter or a Marine aircraft.

Visitors will enjoy many other activities including the opening of two exhibits: a permanent exhibit on the American history of Black Pilots by historian Monica Smith and a special temporary exhibit of John and Marie Clark, B-17 and WASP pilots respectively (courtesy of the Yankee Air Museum). Other activities include author signings, featured speakers, and our Cadet Zone filled with activities for the kids. Saturday’s fly-in and activities are free.

If you are planning on flying your aircraft to Avenger Field, KSWW, please let us know at coleclark@waspmuseum.com to register your aircraft and receive additional information.

For details on the event, to purchase tickets, and learn more about Hangar 2 renovations, please visit waspmuseum.org or call the Museum at 325-235-0099.

Make your hotel reservations now. They go fast!

Download the WASP 2022 Homecoming Schedule of Events here.

Download the WASP 2022 Homecoming WASP Families Schedule of Events here.

Download the WASP 2022 Homecoming Pilots Schedule of Events here.

Homecoming Dinner
2022-04-29 18:30 UTC | National WASP WWII Museum – Hangar 2, 210 Avenger Field Rd, Sweetwater, Texas, 79556, United States
Tickets have been sold out for the Dinner

The National WASP WWII Museum is celebrating 80 years of the WASP program on April 29 – 30 at Avenger Field, the training grounds for most of the WASP. To best honor America’s first females to fly military aircraft, the Museum is recreating a wartime party scene complete with WASP reenactors, a live big band, good food, and – best of all – aircraft.

On Friday, we invite you to attend our 80th WASP Birthday Bash Ball. Proceeds from this evening will benefit the Museum’s plan for all-new exhibits in Hangar 2, a 1929 hangar that served as the first airport for the city of Sweetwater. Come dressed in your best 1940s evening wear or modern cocktail attire.

On Saturday, The WASP flight line will once again hold their training aircraft including fourteen BT-13s, many AT-6s, and other wonderful WWII aircraft including the Yellow Rose B-25, the DC-3, the Corsair, and Glamorous Glen P-51. All-female crews will be in attendance with Navy and Air Force aircraft. Visitors may even spot an Army helicopter or a Marine aircraft.

Visitors will enjoy many other activities including the opening of two exhibits: a permanent exhibit on the American history of Black Pilots by historian Monica Smith and a special temporary exhibit of John and Marie Clark, B-17 and WASP pilots respectively (courtesy of the Yankee Air Museum). Other activities include author signings, featured speakers, and our Cadet Zone filled with activities for the kids. Saturday’s fly-in and activities are free.

If you are planning on flying your aircraft to Avenger Field, KSWW, please let us know at coleclark@waspmuseum.org to register your aircraft and receive additional information.

For details on the event and learn more about Hangar 2 renovations, please visit waspmuseum.org or call the Museum at 325-235-0099.

Make your hotel reservations now. They go fast!

Download the WASP 2022 Homecoming Schedule of Events here.

Download the WASP 2022 Homecoming WASP Families Schedule of Events here.

Download the WASP 2022 Homecoming Pilots Schedule of Events here.

WASP Families Luncheon
2022-04-29 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Texas State Technical College (TSTC), 300 Homer K. Taylor Drive, Sweetwater, Texas, 79556, United States
Tickets have been sold out for the Dinner

This is a private event for WASP families. Learn more about Homecoming.

The National WASP WWII Museum is celebrating 80 years of the WASP program on April 29 – 30 at Avenger Field, the training grounds for most of your WASP. To best honor your family, the Museum is recreating a wartime party scene complete with WASP reenactors, a live big band, good food, and – best of all – aircraft.

Friday, April 29 will hold many special events. The day begins with a WASP family-only luncheon followed by a reception with your WASP’s legacy pilots. Come re-connect with each other, swap stories, and meet the pilots who have been the beneficiaries of your WASP’s service.

On Friday evening, go back in time at our 80th WASP Birthday Bash Ball with a live Big Band playing favorite WASP tunes. Dress in your favorite 1940s ball attire or modern cocktail wear. This event is a ticketed dinner to raise money for all-new exhibits in Hangar 2, a 1929 hangar that served as the first airport for the city of Sweetwater.

On Saturday, The WASP flight line will once again hold their training aircraft including fourteen BT-13s, many AT-6s, and other wonderful WWII aircraft including the Yellow Rose B-25, the DC-3, the Corsair, and Glamorous Glen P-51. All-female crews will be in attendance with Navy and Air Force aircraft including the C-130. Visitors may even spot an Army helicopter or a Marine aircraft.

Visitors will enjoy numerous other activities including the opening of two exhibits: a permanent exhibit on the American history of Black Pilots by historian Monica Smith and a special temporary exhibit of John and Marie Clark, B-17 and WASP pilots respectively (courtesy of the Yankee Air Museum). Other activities include author signings, featured speakers, and our Cadet Zone filled with activities for the kids. Saturday’s fly-in and activities are free.

If you are planning on flying your aircraft to Avenger Field, KSWW, please let us know at coleclark@waspmuseum.com to register your aircraft and receive additional information.

For details on the event and learn more about Hangar 2 renovations, please visit waspmuseum.org or call the Museum at 325-235-0099.

Make your hotel reservations today. Rooms are going fast!

Download the WASP 2022 Homecoming Schedule of Events here.

WASP in the Spotlight - BETTY HEINRICH BERKSTRESSER
2022-02-12 19:00 - 19:45 UTC
ABOUT BETTY HEINRICH BERKSTRESSER

Betty Heinrich Berkstresser was born May 12, 1919 in Houston, Texas. She was a native Houstonian and graduate of the University of Houston. She jumped at the chance to learn to fly after a university math professor asked her, “Would you like to be a pilot?” She immediately enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training program, took her flight training at Hobby Airport, and began adding hours to her logbook. She was accepted into the WASP Class 43-W-4 at Avenger Field Sweetwater, Texas. Betty’s favorite was the AT-7 in which she flew over 500 hours.

Betty had a passion for exploring. She rode more than 50,000 miles around the U.S. and Canada on her Honda 500cc motorcycle with Herky and Garner State Park friends. Betty took her family on yearly road trips throughout the west and Canada. She taught her children and grandchildren, “It’s a big world out there … stay humble but never settle. Go Have Fun!”

For many years, she was a very beloved 6th grade teacher in Golfcrest Elementary School, Houston, Texas. One of her former students describes her as a “Female Clint Eastwood.” “She walked in a composed way, measured and competent. Her slight smile indicated she knew something you did not which showed understated confidence. She invented Cool.”

WASP in the Spotlight - ROBY ANDERSON
2021-11-13 17:00 - 20:00 UTC
ABOUT MERIEM “ROBY” ANDERSON

Mrs. Anderson was born in Eureka, Kansas but attended school in Miami Beach, Florida. She began flying in 1942 in Wichita, Kansas, traveling to and from on her motorcycle. Winters in Kansas included breaking horses for the Army in France.
In 1942 she joined the Civil Air Patrol in Wichita as a lieutenant, transportation officer and pilot, and became a WASP in October 1943. “I wanted to fly ever since I was a little kid,” Mrs. Anderson said. “My parents weren’t real happy about it, but they felt differently after I got my wings.” She was one of five women from Wichita’s air patrol who received WASP wings. She continued flying until the 1970s.
After the program disbanded, Mrs. Anderson married Alexander “Harry” Anderson in Kansas City. Together they welcomed a son, Roby Charles, and moved to her family’s ranch in 1945. Whether it was flying, attending to her stable of animals including cows, buffalo, chickens and prize-winning Appaloosa horses, listening to big band and reggae music, or watching “Gunsmoke,” she lived life to the fullest. She took her final flight on January 5, 2018 at the age of 96.
