TERRELL, Texas — The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum announces the election of Bill Huthmacher as chairman of its board of directors. Other new officers include Jerry Pearsall, vice chairman; Margaret Briggs, secretary, and Jill Baltz, Treasurer. During the same meeting, the board announced the appointment of Rudy Bowling as executive director of the organization.
Other board members include Raenell Davis, Jim Evans, Paul (Pavel) Finnegan, Chris Hamilton, Bernie Schaefer, Jr., Mike Siemann, Raymond Sparks, and Barry Watson.
The Museum is in the process of establishing an advisory board which will help guide the organization as it moves forward with new programs, creating an education center and expansion.
The Museum’s next major event is the Flights of Our Fathers Air Show and Fly In set for September 21 at the Terrell Municipal Airport. A star-studded lineup of warbirds, aerobatics and precision flying teams will entertain visitors. Guests can wander through the static displays of vintage aircraft, tour the museum and enjoy an assortment of food available from food trucks and vendors. Tickets are $20 per carload.
The Fly In will be followed by the Allied Memorial Remembrance Ride on September 28. Motorcycle riders around North Texas will join bike riders from around the world for the eleventh annual Allied Memorial Remembrance Ride to honor fallen heroes from the allied forces anywhere in the world. Riders from east Texas join a Fort Worth contingent for a parade from the Museum through downtown Terrell to Oakland Memorial Park where 20 cadets who died in training accidents during World War II are buried.
The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum is located at 119 Silent Wings Blvd in Terrell. The Museum is open from 10 am – 4 pm Wednesday – Saturday and by special appointment for tour groups. Visit www.bftsmuseum.org for more information or call 972-551-1122.
The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum was established in 1987 to house, collect and display memorabilia related to the operation of the flying school at the Terrell Municipal Airport during World War II. One of only six flight schools in the country set up by the U.S. military, civilian instructors at the flying school taught more than 2,000 young, English aviators to fly from 1941-1945. The Terrell community welcomed the young airmen, offering home-cooked meals and transportation, forming life-long friendships and continuing to care for the graves of 20 cadets and instructors who died during training exercises.
