The Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum also known as the Link Trainer Building #8, is dedicated to preserve the history of the Naval Air Station (NASFL) (presently the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport), which was located near Port Everglades during the Period of 1942 - 1946. The primary mission of the Museum's Association is to collect and preserve information, documents, books, naval art, photographs, artifacts and vintage memorabilia that were associated with NASFL, for the purpose of educating the public about the very important role that the Greater Fort Lauderdale area performed for the United States during WWII.
With the help of many volunteers, this Museum has been instrumental in preserving the memory of Flight 19 - The Lost Patrol, one of the great aviation mysteries. Flight 19 flew out of NASFL on December 5th, 1945 to vanish into the Bermuda Triangle. In addition, a 19 year old future US President George H.W. Bush lived at NASFL as a young Ensign to train as a torpedo/bomber pilot. Since then, the vast complex of buildings that housed the air base have been all demolished. All except for one: the Link Trainer Building #8.
With the help of many volunteers, this Museum has been instrumental in preserving the memory of Flight 19 - The Lost Patrol, one of the great aviation mysteries. Flight 19 flew out of NASFL on December 5th, 1945 to vanish into the Bermuda Triangle. In addition, a 19 year old future US President George H.W. Bush lived at NASFL as a young Ensign to train as a torpedo/bomber pilot. Since then, the vast complex of buildings that housed the air base have been all demolished. All except for one: the Link Trainer Building #8.
After hearing for the past ten years Papa/Mama can we go see the big gun as we passed it while driving on North bound 95 we finally made a visit to the museum with much excitement from the boys.
What a pleasant time we had, it’s not polished and far from fancy, it’s just one man’s dream to preserve history and that man is 86 year old Allan F. McElhiney. We had a great time visiting with his daughter and listening to old war stories along with stories of all the servicemen who donated uniforms, photos and memorabilia.
To Mr. McElhiney, we say thank you.
Mr. McElhiney at 19 years old
His story
Group photo
Plane parking
Vintage flight simulator
War plane replicas
Uniforms
Pilot uniform
Wave uniform
The Memorial Bell
Elise taking a break
Echo and Sebastian enjoying the tribute to Eastern Airlines
The kids checking out the torpedoes
The Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum
Hi Joseph and family thank you so much for posting these wonderful photos, you have a beautiful and strong family! Thanks for attending the Flight 19 Ceremony it was good to see you and your wife. Hope to see you again, visit or call anytime: (954) 359-4400
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Allan McElhiney, President
Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum
Hi Joseph, I would like to send you our Newsletter, because we added a photo and link to your family's blog here. And also you can check on our updates and news. Unfortunately, I cannot find your contact e-mail amid the chaos here. Cand you please contact the Museum at our website: nasflmuseum or e-mail:
ReplyDeletenasft.lauderdalemuseum@netscape.com
or with our Webmistress: minerva_bloom@yahoo.com
Thank you and hope to see you again.