WHAT: Participating in the Collings Foundation’s WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” WWII Heavy Bomber, Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” WWII Heavy Bomber and P-51 Mustang, will fly into John Wayne – Orange County Airport in Santa Ana, CA for a visit from May 11 to May 13. This is a rare opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history. The B-17 is one of only 10 in flying condition in the United States, the B-24J and Full Dual Control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the World. Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out – $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft and through the Lyon Air Museum. Discounted rate of $9 for seniors and Veterans. Visitors may also experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually take a 30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $425 per person. Get some “stick time” in the world’s greatest fighter! P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour. For reservations and information on flight experiences call 800-568-8924.

WHERE: The WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR will be on display at John Wayne – Orange County Airport in Santa Ana, located at Lyon Air Museum, 19300 Ike Jones Road.

WHEN: The WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR will arrive at John Wayne – Orange County Airport at 2:00 PM on May 11 and will be on display at Lyon Air Museum at John Wayne – Orange County Airport until the aircraft departs May 13 at 5:00 PM. Hours of ground tours and display are: 2:00 PM through 5:00 PM on Friday, May 11; 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM on Saturday, May 12; 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 13. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times above.

WHO: The Collings Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation devoted to organizing “living history” events that allows people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation. The Nationwide WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR is in its 23rd year and visits an average of 110 cities in over 35 states annually. Since its start, tens of millions of people have seen the B-17, B-24 & P-51 display at locations everywhere. The WINGS OF FREEDOM tour is one of the most extraordinary and unique interactive traveling historical displays of its kind.

WHY: The WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR travels the nation a flying tribute to the flight crews who flew them, the ground crews who maintained them, the workers who built them, the soldiers, sailors and airmen they helped protect; and the citizens and families that share the freedom that they helped preserve. The B-17 & B-24 were the backbone of the American effort during the war from 1942 to 1945 and were famous for their ability to sustain damage and still accomplish the mission. Despite the risks of anti-aircraft fire, attacking enemy fighters, and the harrowing environment of sub-zero temperatures, many B-17s and B-24s safely brought their crews home. The P-51 Mustang was affectionately known as the bombers “Little Friend” – saving countless crews from attacking axis fighters. After the war, many aircraft were scrapped for their raw aluminum to rebuild a nation in post-war prosperity and therefore very few were spared. The rarity of the B-17, B-24 & P-51 – and their importance to telling the story of WWII is why the Collings Foundation continues to fly and display the aircraft nationwide. At each location we encourage local veterans and their families to visit and share their experiences and stories with the public. For aviation enthusiasts, the tour provides opportunity for the museum to come to the visitor and not the other way around! Visitors can find out more by visiting our website at www.collingsfoundation.org.

For further information e-mail Hunter Chaney, Director of Marketing: hchaney@collingsfoundation.org or 800-568-8924.

Media Site: visit: http://www.collingsfoundation.org/media for further detailed information on the aircraft, Collings Foundation, and the tour as well as high-resolution photos for download.

 70 years ago, on April 18, 1942, eighty men and sixteen North American B-25 bombers launched off the USS Hornet aircraft carrier, on an ambitious one-way mission to bomb Tokyo and other targets in Japan.  The perilous assignment, flown by members of the US Army Air Force and supported by the US Navy, was lead by then Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle.  In honor of the 70^th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid, Lyon Air Museum has scheduled a flight of its own B-25 Mitchell bomber – “Guardian of Freedom,” weather and mechanical considerations permitting.     

In addition to the B-25 flight, Lyon Air Museum welcomes guest speaker, Jonna Doolittle Hoppes.  As the granddaughter of General Jimmy Doolittle, she will share with museum visitors her grandfather’s heroic story and will sign copies of her book, “Calculated Risk,” a biography/memoir.  As a writer, her lecture series keeps her busy touring the United States and Europe, especially with the recent release of another book titled “Just Doing My Job,” a collection of 19 stories from World War II, which will be available as well.  Jonna works for the Department of Defense at Los Angeles Air Force Base and has appeared on numerous television programs, including the History Channel.

 Lyon Air Museum represents the fulfillment of a dream of founder General William Lyon. He held the position of Chief of the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1975 to 1979 and is currently Chairman of the Board and CEO of William Lyon Homes, Inc., Newport Beach, Calif.  His passion for aviation history and youth education is the driving force behind Lyon Air Museum.  In establishing the museum, General Lyon sought to create a world-class facility that would be available to the local community and would offer educational displays to inspire young people.  The museum has on exhibit some of the world’s rarest operational historic aircraft and vehicles.

 Lyon Air Museum is located at 19300 Ike Jones Road, Santa Ana, CA  92707. 

P: 714/210-4585. F: 714/210-4588. 

Email: info@lyonairmuseum.org.  Web: www.lyonairmuseum.org.

 Hours of operation are daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission rates: General admission–$12; Seniors and Veterans–$9; Ages 5-17–$6; Under age 5—Free. Groups of 10 or more–$1 off each visitor.  Pre-arranged school groups—Free. Please call for event pre-sale tickets.    

 Media Contact:  

Corrin Quezada    

 Lyon Air Museum 

714/210-4585

Iconic WW II Long-Range Heavy Bomber Aircraft at John Wayne Airport

SANTA ANA, Calif., January 23, 2012—World War II comes to life on Sat., Feb. 11 at Orange County’s John Wayne Airport when the biggest, most powerful bird in Lyon Air Museum’s collection – the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Fuddy Duddy” – roars into the air as part of the Museum’s “History Takes Flight” program.

“Our ‘History Takes Flight’ events enable us to share with the public some of the amazing aircraft made famous during the titanic global struggle for freedom that was World War II,” said Mark Foster, president of Lyon Air Museum, a premier Southern California showcase for vintage WWII era aircraft and automobiles.

“Our B-17, ‘Fuddy Duddy,’ is far and away the star of the museum, and we invite everyone to take this rare opportunity to come see this iconic heavy bomber in flight,” he said.

Lyon Air Museum’s B-17 was used as a VIP transport in the Pacific at the end of WWII. It once carried U.S. Army Generals Douglas A. MacArthur and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who later became the 33rd U.S. President. In civilian life, the plane worked as a fire bomber and was occasionally used for motion picture filming, flying on screen in movies such as the 1962 Steve McQueen movie, “The War Lover,” and the 1970 blockbuster, “Tora Tora Tora.”

Powered by four 1,200 horsepower engines driving four propellers, each over 11 ½ feet in diameter, the B-17 had a service ceiling of 35,600 feet and came equipped with a typical armament of 13 Browning fifty-caliber machine guns having a firing rate of approximately 13 rounds per second, per gun.

During the war, B-17 bombers were primarily employed by the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign against German industrial and military targets. B-17s also participated to a lesser extent in the War in the Pacific, where the planes conducted raids against Japanese shipping and airfields. It was a potent, high-flying, long-range bomber that was able to defend itself and to return home despite extensive battle damage. It quickly took on mythic proportions, and widely circulated stories and photos of B-17s surviving battle damage increased its iconic status. Of the 1.5 million metric tons of bombs dropped on Germany by U.S. aircraft, 640,000 tons were dropped from B-17s, more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft type in WWII.

Lyon Air Museum opened in Dec. 2009. The facility, a 30,000-square-foot hangar, represents the fulfillment of a dream of founder General William Lyon. General Lyon held the position of Chief of the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1975 to 1979 and currently is Chairman of the Board and CEO of William Lyon Homes, Inc., Newport Beach, Calif. His passion for aviation history and youth education is the driving force behind Lyon Air Museum. In establishing the museum, General Lyon sought to create a world-class facility that would be available to the local community and would offer educational displays to inspire young people. The museum has on exhibit some of the world’s rarest operational aircraft and vehicles.

Lyon Air Museum is located at 19300 Ike Jones Road, Santa Ana, CA 92707. P: 714/210-4585. F: 714/210-4588. Email: info@lyonairmuseum.org. Web: www.lyonairmuseum.org.

Hours of operation are daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission rates: General admission–$12; Seniors and Veterans–$9; Ages 5-17–$6; Under age 5—Free. Groups of 10 or more–$1 off each visitor. Pre-arranged school groups—Free.

Media Contact:
Corrin Quezada
Lyon Air Museum
714/210-4585

Custom “big rig” traveling exhibit – developed in partnership with National World War I Museum — makes 75-city tour to preserve cultural history during Waddell & Reed’s 75th anniversary

Waddell & Reed Traveling WWI Exhibition and Lyon Air Museum open to public on Sat., Jan. 21.

WHAT:
Waddell & Reed – one of the country’s oldest mutual fund and financial planning companies – will kick off an ambitious and unconventional acknowledgement of its 75th anniversary. In partnership with Ivy Funds and the National World War I Museum, a custom 18-wheel “big rig” truck has been transformed into a traveling World War I exhibition. Dubbed the “Honoring Our History Tour,” the exhibition will visit 75 Waddell & Reed communities across the country – stopping at local museums and cultural institutions to raise funds and awareness. Santa Ana is the 30th stop on the 75-city tour.

This unique traveling exhibition offers a free, interactive and educational experience designed by the National World War I Museum – the first and only American museum solely dedicated to preserving the artifacts, history and personal experiences of World War I. The Waddell & Reed Traveling World War I Exhibition features 66 artifacts, such as weapons, uniforms, posters and flags. In addition, visitors will experience the tight conditions of trench warfare, see the relatively primitive tools, weapons, equipment and uniforms, amid sounds and sights of war 100 years ago. The year-long tour honors the men and women who served in World War I – and those who have since bravely served our country and protected our freedom.

WHEN/WHERE:
The Waddell & Reed Traveling World War I Exhibition and Lyon Air Museum are open to the public:

• Saturday, January 21 – 10 am to 4 pm. Media invited at 9:30.
• Media alternative is Friday, January 20 – 2:30 to 4:00.
• Located at 19300 Ike Jones Road, Santa Ana, CA 92707 (on the west side of John Wayne Airport, at the end of Baker St.)
• Regular museum admission will apply
• Opening ceremonies will commence at 10:30 am. Special WWI films will be screened, including “Voices of A Never Ending Dawn” and “The Millionaires’ Unit”.

Waddell & Reed kicked off this exhibition tour in July 2011.

WHY:
“The stories of our past can’t help but influence our future. For that reason, we cannot take our cultural institutions for granted.” – Kevin Costner, Honorary Board Member, National World War I Museum

In times when state and municipal budgets are tight, Waddell & Reed and Ivy Funds recognized the need to support museums and cultural institutions across the country. To celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary, Waddell & Reed created the Waddell & Reed Traveling WWI Exhibition. The exhibition’s mission is to raise awareness and funding for these national treasures. By traveling to 75 cities in nearly every state, Waddell & Reed hopes to raise $500,000 in donations over the course of the year. Funds raised at each stop will be divided equally between the local museum and the National World War I Museum, based in Kansas City, Mo.

The two founders of Waddell & Reed, Chauncey Waddell and Cameron Reed, were veterans of World War I who formed a partnership in 1937 to create one of the longest-standing mutual fund and financial planning companies in the country. The exhibit includes founder Chauncey Waddell’s flight gear, his flight suit and log book.

The Waddell & Reed Traveling WWI Exhibition will stop at museums of all classifications — including those focused on art, history, local culture, education and sports. A schedule for the tour, which will travel coast to coast in 2011/2012, can be found at www.honoringourhistory.com.

WHO:
Waddell & Reed, founded in 1937 and one of the oldest mutual fund and financial planning companies in the country, in partnership with the National World War I Museum, the only American museum solely dedicated to preserving the objects, history and personal experiences of a war whose impact still echoes today. Ivy Funds, an affiliate of Waddell & Reed, offers a range of investment strategies to help investors best meet their long-term goals, all designed with a disciplined approach and global perspective.

Lyon Air Museum, established by Major General William Lyon, features an operational fleet of historically significant aircraft, such as the B-17 “Flying Fortress.” Located on the west side of John Wayne Airport, the museum is a truly memorable experience, which is designed to educate and inspire young people and to preserve the stories of the greatest generation in aviation.

MORE:
Every visitor has the opportunity to make a financial donation to support the non-profit museum via electronic or cash donations. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.honoringourhistory.com.

Media Contacts:
Daralee Barbera
Managing Principal
Waddell & Reed Costa Mesa
714-437-7510×101

Elaina Boudreau
President
BELA Communications
(913) 660-0548

Roger Hoadley
VP, Director of Communications
Waddell & Reed/Ivy Funds
(913) 236-1993

The cars will be driven by members of the Jaguar Owners Club of Los Angeles (www.lajagclub.com). Love for the Jaguar automobile is the common bond that brought together a group of enthusiastic Jaguar owners in 1955 to form the Jaguar Owners Association International. The next year the name was changed to the Jaguar Owners Club (JOC). The club was incorporated in 1957 and became affiliated with Jaguar Clubs of North America. The JOC has approximately 400 members.

Viewing the automobiles in the Museum parking lot is free of charge. Regular Museum admission prices (see below) will be in effect.

“The Jaguar marque is well regarded among automobile lovers and the Museum welcomes members of the JOC of Los Angeles with their collection of eye-catching sports cars that made the Jaguar name famous,’” said Mark Foster, president of Lyon Air Museum. “The XK120 was a breakthrough both for Jaguar and post-WWII sports cars, so it will be fun to see some of the remaining 120s in mint condition.”

Jaguar Cars Ltd., known simply as Jaguar, is a British luxury car manufacturer headquartered in Whitley, Coventry, England. Jaguar was founded by Sir William Lyons in 1922 as the Swallow Sidecar Company, which originally made motorcycle sidecars before evolving into passenger cars. The name was changed to Jaguar after WWII, when the distinctive “leaping Jaguar” mascot was introduced.

The Jaguar XK 120 of 1949 developed into the XK 140 and XK 150, and the E Type (or XKE in the U.S.) of 1961. Today, the company’s flagship model is the Jaguar XJ, a full-size luxury sedan.

The company has had major success in sports car racing, particularly in the Le Mans 24 Hours, which it won in the 1950s and later in 1988 and 1990. In the 1999, Ford decided that Jaguar would be the corporation’s Formula One entry. In 2004, the F1 team was sold to Red Bull energy drinks and became Red Bull Racing.

The 30,000-sq.ft. Lyon Air Museum opened in Dec. 2009. The Museum has on exhibit some of the world’s rarest operational aircraft and vehicles. Included among a variety of military vehicles and motorcycles on display are an original 1939 Mercedes-Benz Model G4 Offener Touring Wagon used by Adolph Hitler in Germany and Poland until it was seized by the French Army at the war’s end, a 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Sedan (the last four-door convertible produced by Cadillac) formerly owned by New York socialite Princess Diane Eristavi, and a 1947 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet featuring a long front “bonnet “ that gracefully conceals a potent V12 engine.

Lyon Air Museum is located at 19300 Ike Jones Road, Santa Ana, CA 92707. P: 714/210-4585. F: 714/210-4588. Email: info@lyonairmuseum.org. Web: www.lyonairmuseum.org.

Hours of operation are daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission rates: General admission–$12; Seniors and Veterans–$9; Ages 5-17–$6; Under age 5—Free. Groups of 10 or more–$1 off each visitor. Pre-arranged school groups—Free.

Media Contact:
Ned Madden
Rodheim Marketing Group
949/547-0143

SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 9, 2011—Lyon Air Museum, a premier Southern California showcase for vintage military aircraft and automobiles, played host on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, to Prince Edward, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent. The English royal family member traveled to the U.S. with key people from the American Air Museum in Britain as part of a fundraising trip.

Prince Edward, 76, who carries out royal duties on behalf of his first cousin Queen Elizabeth II, flew into John Wayne Airport aboard a private charter jet and spent a few hours touring the facility as the guest of Lyon Air Museum’s founder, Maj. Gen. William Lyon, USAF (Ret), who serves as the U.S. chairman of the board of trustees of the American Air Museum in Britain.

Through his comments, the Duke of Kent gave his hosts the impression that Lyon Air Museum was one of the highlights of his visit to the U.S. due to the facility’s unmatched offerings and its uniqueness among vintage aircraft museums worldwide. Following the brief tour, Prince Edward and his entourage joined Gen. Lyon and his family, as well as Lyon Air Museum President Mark Foster and others, for dinner at the Lyon estate in Coto de Caza.

Prince Edward is a patron of the American Air Museum in Britain, which stands as a memorial to the 30,000 American airmen who gave their lives flying from UK bases during the Second World War, and also honors those who fought in Korea, Vietnam, Libya, Iraq and other conflicts and battles of the 20th and 21st centuries. Accompanying Prince Edward were Richard Ashton, director and executive vice president at the American Air Museum and Imperial War Museums (IWM) Duxford, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire, chairman of the American Air Museum board of trustees, and Maj. Gen. James Eugene McInerney Jr., USAF (Ret), a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and America’s most highly decorated pilot.

The group is in the U.S. as part of a fundraising tour for the American Air Museum in Britain’s “Honor & Educate Campaign.” The campaign is designed to improve the physical museum, create a virtual “museum without walls” on the Web, and develop learning programs to bring stories of sacrifice and courage to current and future generations.

“We greatly enjoyed our visit from Prince Edward and we’re looking forward to sharing the Museum with our Southern California neighbors this Saturday as we celebrate two years of operation at this great location,” said Mark Foster, president of Lyon Air Museum.

Now the general public can see what Prince Edward saw when Lyon Air Museum celebrates its second anniversary on Sat., Dec. 10, 2011. Santa Claus will be onsite, as visitors are invited to tour the interior of the Douglas C-47 military transport aircraft “Willa Dean” and watch as it takes flight for a crowd-pleasing flyover. Additionally, the Museum is requesting that all visitors bring an unwrapped NEW toy of at least $10.00 in value for “Toys for Tots” Holidays gift-giving program.

Lyon Air Museum, which is located on the west side of the runway at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, opens at 10 a.m. Santa will be available for pictures with children from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (bring your own camera). Then (weather permitting), as part of the Museum’s ongoing “History Takes Flight” program, the “Willa Dean” – a gem among the Museum’s aircraft collection – will take off at 2 p.m.

During World War II, the C-47 was the primary aircraft used on D-Day (June 6, 1944). Additionally, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and modified DC-3s for the transport of troops, cargo and wounded.

The 30,000-sq.ft. Lyon Air Museum opened in Dec. 2009. The facility represents the fulfillment of a dream of Gen. Lyon, who held the position of Chief of the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1975 to 1979. Currently, Gen. Lyon is Chairman of the Board and CEO of William Lyon Homes, Inc., Newport Beach, Calif. His passion for aviation history and youth education is the driving force behind Lyon Air Museum. In establishing the museum, Gen. Lyon sought to create a world-class facility that would be available to the local community and would offer educational displays to inspire young people. The museum has on exhibit some of the world’s rarest operational aircraft and vehicles.

Lyon Air Museum is located at 19300 Ike Jones Road, Santa Ana, CA 92707. P: 714/210-4585. F: 714/210-4588. Email: info@lyonairmuseum.org. Web: www.lyonairmuseum.org.

Hours of operation are daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission rates: General admission–$12; Seniors and Veterans–$9; Ages 5-17–$6; Under age 5—Free. Groups of 10 or more–$1 off each visitor. Pre-arranged school groups—Free.

Media Contact: Ned Madden
Rodheim Marketing Group
949/547-0143