Historic Aviation Memorial Museum (HAMM)
 Historic Aviation Memorial Museum (HAMM) Tyler Pounds Regional Airport |
The Historic Aviation Memorial Museum (HAMM) is a large regional aviation museum at Tyler Pounds Airport's old passenger terminal building.
The flight museum staff have restored and have outside on static display a variety of historic military aircraft.
It also includes a gift shop and library, a multimedia theater room, and provides a variety of educational programs.
The HAMM hangar facility provides space for an aircraft restoration area and for flying aircraft.
The Museum also arranges for a variety of high-profile airshows and air exhibits to visit Tyler, such as those discussed below on this page.
We've visited the flight museum, and highly recommend it to all with an interest in aviation and history!
The Sky's the Limit Diner is located in the same building, adjacent to the Museum. Phone 903.707.2900
Museum Aircraft Inventory
 Aircraft at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum (Staff Photo) |
The Tyler aviation musuem has tens of thousands of items in its archives, and includes outside displays of restored, historic aircraft such as the following:
- F-104A Starfighter
- F-105D Thunderchief
- F-100 Super Sabre
- T-33 Shooting Star
- F-111 Aardvark
- FJ-4 Fury
- T-37B Tweet
- F-4D Phantom II
- T-2C Buckeye
- TA-4J Skyhawk
- AD-5 Skyraider
- and many others
Photo Highlights of Aircraft Exhibits at HAMM
The photos of HAMM aircraft shown below were all taken by our staff, and posted on our other website, Airplanes Online.
Home of HAMM ... in the old Tyler Texas passenger terminal
F-104A Starfighter at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum
Serial Number 56733, Buzz Number FG-733
North American F-100 Super Sabre |
F-104A Starfighter  |
F-100 Super Sabre 53537 at HAMM |
|
T-33 Shooting Staer at HAMM |
F-105 Thunderchief |
Navy T-2C Buckeye at HAMM |
T-37B Tweet at Tyler's HAMM Museum |
One of the many indoor exhibits at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum in Tyler (Staff Photo) |
 |
Rose City Airfest 2022
The 2nd annual Rose City Airfest was held on July 1-2, 2022, at the Tyler Pounds Airport. Highlights of the aircraft on display include the B-29 Superfortress "Doc" and B-25 "Devil Dog". Rides were available in some of the aircraft. Also performing were the USAF A-10 demonstration team as well as other air performance teams and Randy Ball's Mig-17.
B-25 "Devil Dog", seen at the HAMM Museum during Rose City Airfest in Tyler (Staff Photo) |
 |
Many of the planes in Tyler for Airfest were taking part in the Thunder Over Cedar Creek Airshow. This is a spectacular air show that entertains and amazes thousands of spectators with aerial acrobatics and an up close and personal experience with the power of fighter jets, both civilian and military. The entire air show performance takes place over Cedar Creek Reservoir. Spectators enjoy the air show from shore and on boats.
Wings of Freedom Tour 2018 at Tyler's Pounds Regional Airport
The purpose of the Collings Foundation is to organize and support "living history" events that enable Americans to learn more about their heritage through direct participation.
The Wings of Freedom Tour, sponsored by the Collings Foundation, returns to Tyler in 2018 to bring aviation history alive!
 B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft" on the 2013 Wings of Freedom Tour, Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (Staff Photo) |
The "Wings of Freedom Tour" has two goals: 1) to honor the sacrifices made by our veterans that allow us to enjoy our freedom; and 2) to educate the visitors, especially younger Americans, about our national history and heritage. As a veteran, we highly support the work of the Foundation.
Visitors to Pounds Regional Airport will be able to tour several restored aircraft and take flights. An admission fee is charged, with tickets purchased at the HAMM Museum.
Aircraft that have appeared in Tyler include the following:
- B-17G Flying Fortress
- B-24J Liberator
- B-25 Mitchell
- TF-51D
- UH-1E Huey
The Collings Foundation’s B-24J is the only restored flying B-24J in the world. A product of a multi-million dollar restoration, the B-24 stands testiment to the strength of the 1940's engineering that built it and helped it survive through many years of hardship.
B-25 "Yellow Rose", seen at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport during an air show (Staff Photo) |
 |
 B-29 Superfortress "FiFi" at Tyler's Pounds Airport, September 18, 2012 (Photo by the TylerTexasOnline staff) |
B-29 "FiFi" Visits Tyler
One of only two Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers that continues to fly is "FiFi", maintained and operated by the B-29/B-24 Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).
In the early 1970s, the CAF began a search for a flyable B-29. One was located in 1971 at China Lake in California, and after long discussions with the Air Force and Navy, a B-29 with S/N 44-62070 took to the air on August 3, 1971, and flew to its new home in Texas.
Today, "FiFi" resides at the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center, 5657 Mariner Drive in Dallas when she is not on tour.
FiFi was in Tyler at HAMM on September 18 - 20, 2012, for tours and rides.
Thunder Over Cedar Creek Air Show
The annual Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake Air Show takes place over Cedar Creek Lake, located in East Texas between Tyler and Dallas.
 Mig-17 at Tyler's Pounds Regional Airport for the Thunder Over Cedar Creek 2012 Air Show |
Many of the planes taking part in the aerial demonstrations and mock attacks over the lake spend the previous night at Tyler's Pounds Regional Airport.
The show has become a large event, with over 40,000 spectators for the late afternoon / early evening events, including a Tora Tora Tora reenactment.
B-17G Aluminum Overcast Tour in Tyler
On November 8 - 9, 2011 the Salute to Veterans tour stopped at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport as part of the Aluminum Overcast tour, featuring a B-17G Flying Fortress.
The plane, one of only about 12 still in flying status today, has been restored and operated by the Experimental Aircraft Association, and is on a national tour of 70 stops.
Aluminum Overcast is recognized as one of the best-restored B-17s in existence. It offers a great experience for parents, grandparents and children of all ages to learn more about aviation history. It is a living tribute to the brave men who served, sacrificed, and, in many cases, gave up their lives defending freedom.
This B-17G, built by Vega (now Lockheed) under license from the Boeing Company, was one of 12,732 built. At the peak of construction during World War II, as many as 16 aircraft were completed each day.
The airplane was open for ground tours and booked special mission flights as part of the fundraising necessary to maintain and operate the airplane.
Wings Over Tyler Air Show
The Wings Over Tyler Air Show was held at Pounds Airport on July 3, 2011, with proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer's Alliance of Smith County and Texas Wounded Warriors.
Rose City Rotor Fest
Rose City Rotor Fest was held on October 22, 2016, at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.
Historical Aviation Memorial Museum, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Tyler presented this daylong event. The event featured the American Heroes Airshow, interactive displays, and the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall.
YouTube Videos at HAMM
C-47 "Sky King" arrives at Pounds Regional Airport in Tyler Texas, July 2012
(staff video) |
|
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FiFI" arrives at Pounds Regional Airport in Tyler Texas, September 2012 |
|
For more information on the museum, visit the official HAMM Website |
For more information on Pounds Airport, visit the official airport website provided by the City of Tyler at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport |
 |
Tyler Aviation Resources on this Website |
| Pounds Airport (TYR) Overview Pounds Airport History Stewart Airport History Tyler Area Airport & Landing Strips History HAMM Museum Trans Texas Airways |
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
This website is operated by a private entity with no connection to the City of Tyler, the HAMM Museum, or other governmental agency