Air Zoo Blog
Thursday, Nov 2, 2023
November's Collection Feature
To paraphrase an adage, there’s more than one way to start an engine – from swinging the propeller, to inertia starters using giant coiled springs, and electric starters like what you might find in your car. The Coffman Engine Starter, on the other hand, used shotgun shells.
Developed by inventor Roscoe A. Coffman in 1935, the Coffman Starter used cordite-filled blank cartridges. The shell did not fire directly into the engine, but instead into a starter assembly which converted ...
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Thursday, Nov 2, 2023
Limited-time Exhibit Honors Air Zoo Veterans and Their Families
Our military collections span the decades. They represent all service branches and teach us about peacetime and wartime. While the collection embodies both national and international experiences, as we look ahead to Veterans Day 2023, we find ourselves especially grateful for the artifacts and archives connected with members of our Air Zoo family.
To honor their service (or their family member’s service), we will exhibit a selection of uniforms, insignia, accessories, and more donated ...
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Friday, Sep 1, 2023
What does your typical lawn mower and the world’s first operational jet fighter have in common?
The answer, both feature small pull-start two-stroke engines.
This month’s featured artifact from the Air Zoo’s collections is a “Riedel Anlasser” (Riedel Starter), named for its designer, Norbert Riedel. Each of the Me 262’s Jumo 004 jet engines featured one of these starters hidden inside the engine’s inlet nose cone.
This example was built by Richard von Kehler & Sohn G.m.b.H. It was donated to the Air Zoo in 2002 by a donor who received it ...
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Friday, Sep 1, 2023
What happens when aircraft models meet canvas?
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The Air Zoo presents Homage to WWII Aircraft, an exhibit cleverly combining the work of two artists with a shared appreciation for World War II aviation.
This project took flight in 1995 when Frank Cronin and Fletcher Benton forged a creative partnership. Frank, a model builder, made almost 80-1/48th scale models to compliment Fletcher’s wall art, each inspired by warbirds and their paint schemes. Fletcher’s sculptures and paintings grace national and international collecti...
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Friday, Jul 28, 2023
Adults can enjoy the Air Zoo in a new way during August 12 event - Adult Space Camp - in partnership with Jack FM 106.5
Adults can enjoy the Air Zoo in a new way during August 12 event - Adult Space Camp - in partnership with Jack FM 106.5
July 26, 2022, Portage, MI – The Air Zoo’s Discovery Series underwritten by William Blair is taking an innovative approach to adult learning experiences this summer with the debut of their first ever Air Zoo After Dark: Adult Space Camp, Saturday, August 12 from 6-11pm. In partnership with 106.5&...
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Tuesday, Jun 27, 2023
Hubble, A Fried Egg, and a New Space Interactive
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Twenty years ago this month, Hubble had us hungry for breakfast with its image of Spiral Galaxy NGC 7742, which looks like a fried egg! If this galaxy’s center were composed of egg, at 3,000 light years across, it would feed a lot of people—and that’s no yoke!
Located about 72 million lightyears away, NGC 7742 is a Seyfert galaxy known for its radiant center. Scientists believe that gigantic black holes may occupy the core of such galaxies. In the summer of 2003, Hub...
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Friday, May 26, 2023
DC SUPERHEROES™: Discover Your Superpowers
Drape yourself in a cape and join forces with DC’s Justice League members in a super travelling exhibit, DC SUPERHEROES™: Discover Your Superpowers. Batman™, Superman™, and Wonder Woman™ need your help to solve problems in a crime-ridden city and catch Super-Villains in a hands-on experience filled with fun, fast-paced challenges for the whole family to enjoy.
Find out which DC Super Hero you most resemble. Join Wonder Woman™ as she saves Museum of An...
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Friday, Apr 28, 2023
Don't wing it this summer - nab your camper's spot while spots remain!
Launch into explorations with the Air Zoo’s Summer Camps! From flight to space; from robots to chemistry – there's something for everyone at the Air Zoo this summer. Work together to defy gravity, solve mysteries, and explore the cosmos! Full- and half-day camp programs run weekly from June 12 through August 21. Camps available for PreK-12th grade.
Register your camper today while spots remain. Don't forget, Air Zoo members get 10% off. Just sign into your online account pr...
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Thursday, Apr 27, 2023
Calling All Air & Space Toy Fans!
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Growing up, did you play with air and space toys or build model airplanes or rockets? Do your dearest little ones launch foam gliders and Barbie astronauts into the sky? The Air Zoo’s Exhibits team seeks your toy and model memories, photos, and stories!
What were (and are) some of your favorite aviation and space-related toys, games, and model kits? What aerospace toys did/do your kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews enjoy? Contact April, Exhibits & Interpretation Manager at ...
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Wednesday, Mar 29, 2023
The First of the First: A WASP Anniversary Tale
During World War II, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) became the first women to fly America’s military aircraft. But these air-minded pilots didn’t take to the sky all at once. Some paved the way as the first of the first.
Mary Lou Colbert Neale became the first pilot that WASP Director Jackie Cochran selected for class 43-W-1—the new program’s first official class. Of special note, Mary Lou made a significant impact on the ability for women to access pi...
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Friday, Mar 10, 2023
Air Zoo Fandom is a Family Affair
Eric Dougal’s family loves the Air Zoo. The planes, rides, exhibits, programs and people all make this place special to Eric, his wife, Kelly, and their 3 young sons. Ten years ago, Eric and Kelly moved to Michigan from where they grew up in southern Wisconsin. They quickly discovered all the amazing things the Kalamazoo area offers. One of the first places they discovered was the Air Zoo.
Over the past 10 years they’ve spent countless hours at the Air Zoo with thei...
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Friday, Feb 24, 2023
Women’s History at the Air Zoo: Cool!
Recently, a fourth grader on an Air Zoo fieldtrip admired our P-40 Warhawk with his friends on the mezzanine. After examining the historic pink plane hanging in our atrium, he turned to see that same plane flying in a nearby video. He looked back at the airplane, then back at the video screen, and anyone lucky enough to be near saw (and heard) when he made the connection. “Hey!” he shouted, “That’s the same plane! That’s that lady’s plane!” He sprang ...
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Come visit us.
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Great place! Very interesting educational and informational! Great place to take the whole family as there is something for young children up to adults!
blackeyedsusan2018
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We took our grown daughters and young grandsons to the Air Zoo. It was very entertaining for all of us. There is so much to see and do. Rides for the whole family!
Rick C