Tuskegee Airmen 'Rise Above' exhibit lands in Tallahassee

Special to the Democrat

This week is your chance to visit a museum without walls and be inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen to Rise Above your own challenges.

The Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron, in partnership with Dr. A.J. Brickler III, of North Florida Women’s Care, are proud to bring you the Rise Above: Red Tail Traveling Exhibit and P-51C Mustang.

This is an immersive experience for the young and the young-at-heart. It inspires all ages with the story of the Tuskegee Airmen: America’s first black military pilots and their support personnel. The public is invited to free showings Tuesday through Friday, Feb. 19-22, at 2:35 p.m., 3 p.m. and 3:25 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. at the Flightline hangar, near Tallahassee International Airport: 3256 Capital Circle SW.

Scott Sutor, a pilot from the experimental aircraft association, speaks to students from Grass Roots School during a visit to the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit about the Tuskegee Airmen, along with a with a P-51C Mustang, one of the types of planes used during their WWII flights, at the Tallahassee International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. The exhibit are will be open to the public for tour this Saturday.

Groups and schools can receive private showings Tuesday – Friday by calling 850-205-0393.

The RISE ABOVE exhibit is a panoramic movie theater with a dynamic 160-degree screen. The film tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen and creates the feeling of being in the cockpit, soaring above the clouds in a P-51C Mustang, the iconic signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Red Tail Project features a traveling theater that shows the history of the P-51C Red Tail Mustang flown by the award-winning group of black fighter pilots.

Visitors will also see a real P-51C Mustang, the plane of the Tuskegee Airmen! It is one of only a few left that are still airworthy.

The CAF Red Tail Squadron’s outreach program, Rise Above: Red Tail, tours the country year-round, stopping at airshows, schools, museums and community events. The group provides educational resources for students, teachers, youth leaders and anyone looking to be inspired by these remarkable American trailblazers.