Cradle of Aviation to Extend Special Invitation to Members of Military

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All present and former members of the U.S. military will be admitted to the Cradle of Aviation without charge on Tuesday, November 11th, from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM in honor of Veterans Day. While the regular $7 admission charge is being waived, the regular$8.50 admission fee for the IMAX theatre will remain in place.

"The Cradle of Aviation represents the contributions that Long Islanders have made to aviation during times of war and peace. The incredible fetes accomplished by the aircraft on display here would not have been possible without the heroic efforts of those who so proudly wore our nation's uniforms," said Cradle of Aviation Chief Operating Officer, Claudia Oakes. "It is our hope that the men and women who so proudly served our nation will honor the Cradle by visiting us on Veterans Day."

Long Island's proud link to military aviation:
During World War II, locally built aircraft clearly helped America win victory as many aspects of American fighter operations were dominated by Long Island built aircraft. The demands of war brought tremendous growth in the aircraft industry on Long Island and by 1945 over 100,000 Long Islanders were employed in the aircraft industry.

How the airplane shaped Long Island's economy:
Grumman, founded in 1930, produced primarily Naval biplane fighters before the war, and during World War II, their Wildcat, Hellcat and Avenger proved to be outstanding Navy fighters and bombers. In fact, most of the Japanese aircraft shot down in World War II were shot down by Grumman planes. Republic, founded in 1931, built over 15,000 P-47 Thunderbolts during World War II, the Army Air Corps' outstanding mainstay fighter in Europe. Other Long Island companies contributing to the war effort included Sperry, Brewster, Ranger, and Columbia.

The post WWII relationship:
After World War II , Grumman continued its tradition of producing Navy fighters as they developed the jet-powered Panther, Tiger and Intruder in the 1940s and 50s. Grumman fighter bombers saw widespread and successful use in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

In the 1940s Republic also turned to jet fighter-bombers as they produced the Thunderjet, and in the 1950s the huge Thunderchief. These aircraft also saw a great deal of combat in Korea and Vietnam.

In the 1960s Grumman production centered around building the Lunar module for the Apollo program. In the 1970s and 80s Grumman aircraft continued to dominate the Naval aircraft inventory. Grumman's E-2C Hawkeye, still in production, is the Navy's most advanced early warning aircraft, while their F-14 Tomcat is probably the best Navy fighter ever built. In the 1970s Republic produced the A-10 Thunderbolt II, proven by the Gulf War to be the greatest tank killing aircraft ever built.

The Cradle of Aviation is located on Lindbergh Blvd. in Garden City.

Directions: Northern State Parkway to Meadowbrook Parkway. Meadowbrook Parkway south to exit M4, initially follow signs to Nassau Coliseum. Within approximately 1/4 mile take the right fork to Charles Lindbergh Blvd., remain on it to the second traffic light and turn right into the parking lot.