NEW ORLEANS, April 9, 2013 – Hawthorne Global Aviation Services, an FBO tradition since 1932 and the preferred FBO at the Lakefront Airport in New Orleans, will host the Texas Raiders, an authentically restored WWII B-17 Bomber owned and operated by the Commemorative Air Force, on the weekend of June 1-2nd.  

 

This special warbird will be with Hawthorne Global at its newly renovated facility beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 1st through 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 2nd.  The two-day event is open to the public for walk-through tours.   Tours are $5.00 for adults (free for WWII veterans), $3.00 for children (free for children under five), and rides are $625 for a seat in the nose and $425 for all other seats.   For B-17 ride reservations, contact b17rides@gulfcoastwing.org or 817-304-0393.

 

Hawthorne Global Aviation is also hosting a general aviation “fly-in” to coincide with this special weekend and has invited all the FBOs throughout the Gulf Coast to come enjoy the sights and sounds, not to mention the spectacular history, of the B-17.

 

“It’s a special treat to host such an important piece of aviation history, and we’re looking forward to an exciting weekend of hosting the public and our fellow aviation enthusiasts who come out to see the B-17,” said Jay Taffet, General Manager of the Hawthorne Lakefront FBO.  

 

“Being the grandson of a B-17 bombardier, this is also a special, personal opportunity for me to see what aviation was like for my grandfather and how he served in WWII.”

 

The Texas Raiders B-17 was fully restored in 2009 and has performed in air shows, sporting event fly-overs and public tours all over the country.  The aircraft was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force in 1945 and flew its last flying mission prior to its restoration in 2001 when it marked the grand opening of the New Orleans National D-Day Museum with a fly-over. More information is available at www.commemorativeairforce.org or www.b17texasraiders.org.

 

“We hope everyone will join us for a very unique experience. Watching and hearing this very rare aircraft take to the skies gives the younger generations a chance to relive the history of WWII. Texas Raiders is the most authentic B-17 flying today and has been beautifully restored by hundreds of dedicated volunteers. The members of the CAF, Gulf Coast Wing, are proud to present our B17 Flying Fortress to the folks of New Orleans,” says Commemorative Air Force Tour Planner Colonel Vicki Thomas.

 

The Commemorative Air Force, a non-profit educational association, is dedicated to honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance with a flying museum of classic military aircraft.  It has over 9,000 members and a fleet of 160 airplanes representing more than 60 different types.  

 

Hawthorne Global Aviation Services is a premier, full-service private air terminal located at the Lakefront Airport in New Orleans.  Fully renovated in 2012, the terminal features a two-story, atrium-style lobby, more than 50,000 square feet of   jet hangar capacity, the best in hospitality and concierge services and the quickest access to downtown New Orleans.  

 

 

The Lakefront facility is part of the growing network of Hawthorne FBO’s throughout the United States. Hawthorne Global Aviation Services, a South Carolina-based company with an 81-year heritage in aviation, purchased a controlling interest in the AeroPremier facility at New Orleans Lakefront Airport in July 2012, and has rebranded it as a Hawthorne property.  

 

Moelis Capital Partners and Hawthorne Corporation formed Hawthorne Global Aviation Services in November of 2011, and Moelis Capital Partners, alongside its equity investment, provides the company with strategic advice.   Hawthorne Global Aviation Services is a premier provider of general aviation services, with a rich history in the industry dating back to 1932.  For more information, please visit. www.hawthorne.aero.  

 

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For more information, contact:

Lisa Hendrickson

Lisa@Lchcommunications.com

516-767-8390