Chino, CA - On Saturday, October 4, 2008, Planes of Fame Air Museum at the Chino Airport will feature Dive Bombers as the theme of its monthly special event. The program will begin at 10 a.m. with a seminar describing the most precise bombing technique in use during World War II, and conclude with a flight demonstration by the Planes of Fame Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless dive bomber.  Developed during the 1930s as a more precise way of dropping bombs on enemy targets, dive bombing really came to the forefront of modern aerial combat when the German Luftwaffe employed the dreaded Junkers Ju 87 Stuka in action during the early days of World War II.  Dive bombing was particularly effective against naval targets, and it was the U.S. Navy Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers that turned the tide of the war in the Pacific by sinking four Japanese aircraft carriers during the battle for Midway Island in 1942.

One of only three Dauntless dive bombers still flying, the Planes of Fame SBD-5 is a genuine combat veteran.  It saw combat service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the South Pacific during 1944.
 
An independent, non-profit, educational institution, Planes of Fame Air Museum was the first permanent facility of its type in the American West and a pioneer in the concept of restoring historic display aircraft to flying condition.  Staffed primarily by a core of dedicated volunteers, the museum supports its daily operations with admissions fees, donations, facilities rentals and proceeds from the use of its aircraft in various productions.
 
Planes of Fame also has a special membership program available to the public, with one of the advantages of membership being the opportunity to experience the thrill of orientation flights in genuine warbirds. At each monthly special event, members in attendance, including last-minute sign-ups, can have their names entered into a free drawing for a member-supported warbird orientation flight.
 
Planes of Fame Air Museum is open to the public every day, except Christmas and Thanksgiving, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.  General admission is $11, youngsters 5-11 are admitted for $4, and admission is free for accompanied children under 5.

Source: The Air Museum Planes of Fame
Picture provided and copyrighted by The Air Museum Planes of Fame
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