Hagerstown Aviation Museum

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Hagerstown Aviation Museum The Hagerstown Aviation Museum, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to the preservation of Hagerstown's aviation heritage.
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🎅✈️ BREAKING NEWS FROM THE NORTH POLE! SANTA IS COMING IN FOR A LANDING! 🎄Forget the sleigh and reindeer — Santa is trad...
10/14/2026

🎅✈️ BREAKING NEWS FROM THE NORTH POLE! SANTA IS COMING IN FOR A LANDING! 🎄

Forget the sleigh and reindeer — Santa is trading his traditional transportation for something with a little more horsepower this Christmas!

That's right! Santa is flying into the Hagerstown Aviation Museum, and you're invited to help us give him a warm Hagerstown welcome!

This Black Friday, skip the crowded shopping malls, gather the family, grandparents and holiday visitors, and join us for a holiday adventure that's anything but ordinary!

🎅✈️ SANTA'S GRAND ARRIVAL — 11:00 AM!

Keep your eyes on the skies! Santa is scheduled to make his grand entrance by airplane at 11:00 AM! Bring the children, invite the grandparents, and come early so you don't miss the excitement of seeing Santa arrive in true aviation style!

And the Christmas magic doesn't stop when Santa lands!

🎅 MEET A-10 SANTA!
Our very own aviation-themed Santa is ready to spread some holiday cheer! Come say hello and share your Christmas wishes.

📸 CAPTURE THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC!
Bring your camera and create some wonderful holiday memories with Santa. What better setting for a unique Christmas photo than surrounded by historic aircraft?

✈️ EXPLORE AVIATION HISTORY!
Take advantage of your visit to discover the museum's impressive collection of historic aircraft and experience the aviation heritage that makes Hagerstown so special.

🎁 A LITTLE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!
Looking for something different for the aviation enthusiast on your Christmas list? Stop by our museum gift shop and browse unique aviation-themed gifts and stocking stuffers!

🍪☕ COOKIES, HOT COCOA & HOLIDAY CHEER!
Enjoy some seasonal treats while soaking up the festive atmosphere!

🎄🎁 AND HERE'S A LITTLE EXTRA CHRISTMAS MAGIC...

CHILDREN 11 AND UNDER GET IN FREE!

Regular museum admission pricing applies to everyone ages 12 and older.

Whether you're entertaining family visiting for Thanksgiving, looking for a fun outing with the grandchildren, or simply ready to kick off the Christmas season, we'd love to celebrate with you!

🎄 MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

📅 Friday, November 27, 2026

🕚 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

✈️ Santa's Scheduled Arrival: 11:00 AM

📍 Hagerstown Aviation Museum
Richard A. Henson Aviation Education Center

❤️ THIS BLACK FRIDAY, MAKE MEMORIES INSTEAD OF STANDING IN SHOPPING LINES!

There's something special about experiencing the wonder of Christmas through a child's eyes. We hope you'll join us for a little holiday magic, a touch of aviation adventure, and memories your family will treasure long after the season is over.

The magic of Christmas is taking flight at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum! 🎅✈️🎄

👉 Mark yourself GOING or INTERESTED in our Facebook Event, tag your friends, and share this invitation with families who would love to join us!

Please note: Santa's scheduled arrival is via civilian aircraft and is weather permitting.

10/10/2026

First flight of the day. Weather is great for an open cockpit ride! Could be the last of the season before cold weather moves in.

THE AX PROGRAM… SEVEN DESIGNS - TWO FINALISTS! The Attack Experimental (A-X) Program Request for Proposal went out in Ma...
10/06/2026

THE AX PROGRAM… SEVEN DESIGNS - TWO FINALISTS!

The Attack Experimental (A-X) Program Request for Proposal went out in March 1970 to aircraft manufactures, with seven submitting proposals. Out of the seven, five were cut, and two were selected to move forward, designing and building prototypes.

The two manufactures chosen were NORTHROP with the YA-9A and FAIRCHILD-REPUBLIC with the YA-10A. Each company was required to build two prototypes for evaluation and testing and deliver them to Edwards Air Force base.

The requirements for the A-X Program centered on four things:

LETHALITY, RESPONSIVENESS, SURVIVABILITY, & SIMPLICITY.

NORTHROP and FAIRCHILD-REPUBLIC took different approaches to these key requirements and came away with two completely different looking aircraft. Both were designed around a new 30mm cannon, known as the GAU 8 which was being developed by GENERAL ELECTRIC. Not yet ready to be installed, the first prototypes were fitted with a 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon rather than the 30mm, so testing on the airframe of the prototypes could begin.

On May 10, 1972, the first flight of the FAIRCHILD-REPUBLIC YA-10A serial number 71-1369 took place by FAIRCHILD test pilot Sam Nelson, followed by the NORTHROP YA-9A serial number 71-1367, on May 30th, by NORTHROP test pilot Lew Nelson. After several months of adjustments and revisions both aircraft were signed off and ready for the competition to begin.

On October 10, 1972, the fly-off began between the two aircraft. This competition would choose the U.S. Air Force’s newest and most advanced Close-Air Support Aircraft.

What's With All the Little Boxes?Something a little different recently took place inside the hangars at the Hagerstown A...
10/06/2026

What's With All the Little Boxes?

Something a little different recently took place inside the hangars at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum!

We had the pleasure of hosting the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) for canine scent work trials.

The containers pictured here were part of a search challenge where dogs and their handlers worked together to locate a specific target odor hidden among the containers.

Although the museum was closed to the public during the event and photography was not permitted during the competition, we were able to capture a few pictures of the search areas before the trials began.

It was a pleasure welcoming the organizers, volunteers, handlers, and their canine partners to the museum. We enjoyed seeing our historic hangars used for something a little out of the ordinary!

Thank you to everyone involved for choosing the Hagerstown Aviation Museum. We hope to welcome you back again!!

BEFORE THE A-10... THERE WAS THE ATTACK EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMIn the late 1960s at the height of the Cold War, a group of ...
10/03/2026

BEFORE THE A-10... THERE WAS THE ATTACK EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
In the late 1960s at the height of the Cold War, a group of officers and civilian advisors in the U.S. Air Force believed a new type of aircraft was required to deter the Soviet Union’s threat on Western Europe.

What was needed was not another high-speed fighter, but an aircraft specifically designed to attack targets on the ground... one designed from the beginning for Close Air Support.
This aircraft would be capable of staying over the battlefield, carrying serious firepower, surviving enemy fire, operating simply and effectively, and protecting troops on the ground.

In March 1970 a Request for Proposals was issued to the aircraft industry from the U.S. Air Force for what became known as the A-X — Attack Experimental program.
What came out of that competition would become one of the most recognizable military aircraft ever built.

Stay with us over the next week as we uncover the early development of the greatest attack aircraft ever made!

BY THE END YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHY!

Come out and see us at the Frederick Municipal Airport for the Frederick Festival of Flight! PT-19 flights will be runni...
10/03/2026

Come out and see us at the Frederick Municipal Airport for the Frederick Festival of Flight!

PT-19 flights will be running by donation select times throughout the day until 4pm, weather permitting.

09/24/2026

🚨🚨 PUBLIC NOTICE — SIMULATED EMERGENCY EXERCISE 🚨🚨

⚠️ THIS IS A PLANNED EXERCISE — THERE IS NO ACTUAL EMERGENCY. ⚠️

On Saturday, October 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Hagerstown Regional Airport will conduct a simulated aircraft emergency exercise at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum.

You may notice an increased presence of emergency vehicles, first responders, and emergency personnel in and around the airport and museum.

This important training exercise allows participating agencies to test emergency response procedures and strengthen preparedness for an actual aircraft emergency.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Hagerstown Aviation Museum

09/22/2026

One year ago today, Fairchild A-10C 79-0087 flew home to the same hangar it flew out of after being manufactured here in 1980. The homecoming featured members of the Maryland Air National Guard 175th Wing, 104th Fighter Squadron, men and women who worked at Fairchild helping to build the A-10, and those who's lives were saved by the A-10 in combat. It was a memorable and emotional day for all.

09/13/2026

What a day at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum’s Wings & Wheels!
Check out some of the excitement from September 12th! Thank you to everyone who brought out their rides, explored the museum, and helped make this event one to remember.
A HUGE thank-you to our sponsors and supporters: Sierra Nevada Corporation, Paws and pistons Animal support group, Hagerstown Community College, Martin's Famous Potato Rolls and Bread, and Ted's Rent-it Center! Your support helped make it all possible. 🙌
To all our vendors, volunteers, exhibitors, and everyone who came out to support the museum—THANK YOU! Every bit of that support helps us preserve aviation history and share it with the next generation.
Turn it up and relive Wings & Wheels! 🎬✈️

What a great day it’s been at Wings & Wheels! ✈️🚗The clouds haven’t kept this crowd away! From the incredible cars on th...
09/12/2026

What a great day it’s been at Wings & Wheels! ✈️🚗

The clouds haven’t kept this crowd away! From the incredible cars on the ramp to families exploring the aircraft and enjoying activities inside the hangar, it’s been wonderful seeing everyone having fun at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum.

A huge thank-you to Paws & Pistons for keeping the cruise-in running smoothly, our hardworking volunteers, and everyone who brought a car or came out to support the museum. You’ve helped make today something special! 🇺🇸

Paws and pistons Animal support group

Address

18450 Showalter Road, Building 8
Hagerstown, MD
21742

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+13017338717

Website

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