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 the Tyler airport's old passenger terminal building.
The flight museum staff have restored and have on outside 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 Skyline Cafe is adjacent to the museum, and is well known locally for its fine assortment of food.
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.
We've visited the flight museum, and highly recommend it to all with an interest in aviation and history!
Museum Aircraft Inventory
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:
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F-104A Starfighter
Aircraft at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum
(Photo by the TylerTexasOnline staff)
- 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
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(Photo by the TylerTexasOnline staff) |
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.
P-51 Mustang "Betty Jane" of the Collings Foundation, seen at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport |
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B-29 "FiFi" Visits Tyler
 B-29 Superfortress "FiFi"at Tyler's Pounds Airport, September 18, 2012 (Photo by the TylerTexasOnline staff) |
The only Boeing B-29 Superfortress 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 Cavanaugh Air Museum in Addison (Dallas), Texas when she is not on tour.
FiFi was in Tyler at HAMM on September 18 - 20, 2012, for tours and rides.
Read more about FiFi at www.PlanesOfThePast.com
Thunder Over Cedar Creek Air Show
 Mig-17 at Tyler's Pounds Regional Airport for the Thunder Over Cedar Creek 2012 Air Show
(Photo by the TylerTexasOnline staff)
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The annual Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake Air Show takes place over Cedar Creek Lake, located in East Texas between Tyler and Dallas.
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
 B-17 Flying Fortress on the Aluminum Overcast tour at Tyler's Pounds Airport |
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.
 F-16 Fighting Falcon similar to aircraft seen at the Wings Over Tyler Air Show |
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.
Photo Highlights of Aircraft Exhibits at HAMM (courtesy of the Airplanes Online staff)
Home of HAMM ... in the older Tyler Texas passenger terminal
F-104A Starfighter at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum
Serial Number 56733, Buzz Number FG-733
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North American F-100 Super Sabre |
F-104A Starfighter  |
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F-4D Phantom II Jet Fighter at HAMM |
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Cockpit area of the F-105 at HAMM |
FJ-4 Fury at the HAMM Museum |
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Navy T-2C Buckeye at HAMM |
T-37B Tweet at Tyler's HAMM Museum |
YouTube Videos at HAMM
Courtesy of the Airplanes Of The Past Staff
C-47 "Sky King" arrives at Pounds Regional Airport in Tyler Texas, July 2012 (video by the AirplanesOfThePast staff) |
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Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FiFI" arrives at Pounds Regional Airport in Tyler Texas, September 2012 (YouTube video by the Airplanes Online staff) |
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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 |
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Tyler Pounds Regional Airport |
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| US Airport Delays Pounds Airport History Stewart Airport History Tyler Airport History HAMM Museum Trans Texas Airlines |
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This website is operated by a private entity with no connection to the City of Tyler, the HAMM Museum, or other governmental agency