Sonic Boom!

Dear members, welcome to our monthly update from Wings of History Air Museum. To submit future posts, please contact toniamac99@gmail.com.

Let’s go!

Presenters Needed

Become a part of history!

Do you enjoy public speaking or want to hone your skills? How would you like to interact with engaged audiences who want to hear more about our exciting collection? If you said “yes” to either of these questions, the Wings of History Roadshow is for you! This is a speaker series designed to improve our outreach beyond the confines of the museum. In the past months, Connor and I have had a lot of fun visiting schools, libraries, and the Rotary Club to deliver a fun, interactive presentation which promotes the museum and bestows enthusiasm for the history of aviation. Sadly, our circumstances no longer allow time for this activity and we are keen to pass the torch to the next museum ambassadors!

Please contact us at wohoffice@sbcglobal.net to learn more.

Book sale 3^rd Saturday of the month

Mark your calendar for our monthly book sale. 3^rd Saturday of each month in the gift shop.

Save the date!

June 21^st 2025 – Kids’ Day

Join us for a fun day of family friendly events. More information to come!

Volunteer spotlight

We’re all about looking to the future at Wings of History! This month, we celebrate the young volunteers who give their time and talent to help us achieve our vision!

Go Teen Squadron!!!!

Teen squadron is the name of our wonderful, teen volunteer docents. If you visit the museum on a Saturday, why not take a tour with one of these engaging and highly knowledgeable young people? Thank you to Anika, Evan, Connor, and Caio for bringing your expertise to our hangers!

Hooray for High School Seniors!!!

I have enjoyed working with three young and bright Morgan Hill high school seniors, Pranav, Kuber, and Alfred, who volunteer regularly on most Saturdays from 9 to 11am. We work on whatever needs doing, sometimes on aircraft stuff and sometimes just learning about tools and hardware used on aircraft. Recently they made a carburetor air filter box for a radial engine, painted the engine stand, upgraded the stand with wheels and will be installing the carburetor after making necessary gaskets. A few weeks ago, they replaced the starter on the forklift and repaired the seat. The forklift is now ready to take models down from the ceiling when needed. I enjoy their enthusiasm and willingness to get their hands dirty. Our goal is to get this radial running by summertime.

Jerry Impellezzeri

Curator

In loving memory of Dick Slayton

Richard (Dick) Keith Slayton, age 92 of Oro Valley, passed away in his sleep on March 28th, 2025, at All Seasons of Oro Valley in Arizona. Dick was born April 9, 1933, in Sparta, Wisconsin, to Charlie and Victoria Slayton. After serving as a Naval radioman, Dick went to San Jose State University in Northern California on the GI Bill. After graduation, he met his wife Beverly while living in Southern California and married her at the Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel CA, and they then settled into living in Newport Beach CA where they welcomed their only child Derek. A man of many talents, Dick worked as a farmer, a salesman, and finally as an aerospace sales leader at Honeywell. He was passionate about sports cars and had many of them over his life. He was also a private pilot and enjoyed being a partial owner of a plane in Freeport with several friends. After retiring from Honeywell in San Jose CA, Dick and Bev moved to Santa Cruz, CA to enjoy their retirement as empty nesters. This is where he lost Bev to a recurrence of cancer. Dick then began to explore the world, and enjoyed many adventures to China, Australia, and other exotic locations with Derek and friends. Dick became an artist in his own right in retirement, dabbling in woodwork, metal work, and a variety of other disciplines. Dick made many friends in Aptos, including his “wingman” Ace (his pet dog) – who was a constant source of joy for him including traveling the country as his companion. Dick was passionate about his brother Deke’s legacy as an Air Force pilot / NASA astronaut, and he established several scholarships to support STEM efforts to encourage the next generation to pursue aviation and space travel. He is survived by his son Derek.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the El Conquistador Tucson in Tucson, Arizona.

Please RSVP to dick.slayton.memorial@pm.me.