Home Page

Utility Navigation

Picture of Aircraft at the Air Zoo in Michigan

Air Zoo Blog

Category: WWII

Thursday, Dec 30, 2021

Before They Were WASP, They Were CAP

Did you know that many Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)—including Air Zoo Co-founder Sue Parish—first served as part of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP)? Approved by the United States Commerce, Navy, and War departments in 1941, the CAP recruited American civilian pilots eager to use their aviation skills for national defense. Men and women answered the call and volunteered in many ways. They provided surveillance, missing aircraft searches, forest patrols, and much more. Prior to ... Read More
Posted by Nikki Statler at Thursday, Dec 30, 2021
CAP Civil Air Patrol Co-founder Congressional Gold Medal Mabel Rawlinson Navy Veteran Sue Parish Teresa James WASP Women in Air and Space Women's Airforce Service Pilots WWII

Friday, Jul 30, 2021

Go West, Mr. Parish

In the late 1940s, Air Zo co-founder Preston “Pete” Parish (1919-2020) averaged 3,000 miles a month en route from San Diego to Vancouver; Spokane to Salt Lake City; Phoenix to Los Angeles—but not by air!  Pete traveled by train, bus, and infrequently by car in a job he particularly enjoyed: Sales. Based out of Los Angeles, Pete found the work a pleasure. “I had a wonderful time,” he said in a 2001 oral history interview. Before relocating to the ... Read More
Posted by Nikki Statler at Friday, Jul 30, 2021
Co-founder Family Friendly Featured Exhibit History Kalamazoo Marine Corp New Exhibit Pete Parish Remembering Pete WWII

Wednesday, Apr 28, 2021

Asian American Aviatrix: Hazel Ying Lee

In the early 1930s, when Oregon-born Hazel Ying Lee (1912-1944) dreamed of becoming a pilot, her mother advised her, “It’s not ladylike to fly.” Hazel disagreed. To save money for flying lessons, she worked as a department store elevator operator—one of few jobs opened to Chinese women in America. The Portland Chinese Benevolent Society sponsored Hazel’s flying program and the young pilot took to the sky by age 19. A proud WASP during WW... Read More
Posted by Nikki Statler at Wednesday, Apr 28, 2021
Asian American Asian-American aviatrix Hazel Ying Lee pilot WASP Women in Air and Space Women's History WWII

Wednesday, Dec 30, 2020

Seeing Stars!

At the Air Zoo, we talk a lot about heavenly bodies and stars, and this story is no different—except that these stars could be found on the silver screen! Movie stars played vital roles during World War II (1939-1945), such as starring in films which gave Americans a glimpse into the war or just the opposite—took their minds off it for a little while. Some stars helped promote desired wartime behavior, such as proper safety precautions for defense plant workers. After a... Read More
Posted by Nikki Statler at Wednesday, Dec 30, 2020
Blog Exhibit Newsletter Rosie the Riveter Stories Women in Air and Space WWII

Tuesday, Dec 10, 2019

The Story of our FM-2 Wildcat

IT WAS A COLD DAY OVER LAKE MICHIGAN On December 28, 1944, it was just 15 degrees in Michigan when the FM-2 Wildcat fighter plane that currently calls the Air Zoo’s East Campus Restoration Center home crashed into the icy waters of Lake Michigan. One of the US Navy’s most successful fighters in early WWII, this particular Wildcat was being used to train pilots for aircraft carrier landing and takeoff over Lake Michigan. After completing two take offs and landings that fateful day,... Read More
Posted by Abby Sample at Tuesday, Dec 10, 2019
FDC Flight Discovery Center recovery restoration Volunteer World WarII WWII

Tags

Come visit us.

  • Trip Advisor Review Real reviews from Trip Advisor reviewers.

    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
    Tripadvisor Logo
  • Trip Advisor Review Real reviews from Trip Advisor reviewers.

    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
    Tripadvisor Logo