“The Heart of the Museum”—that’s how Warhawk Air Museum Co-Founder Sue Paul describes the Museum’s volunteers. She adds that they are a “…large family of people who promote and truly believe in the mission of the Museum.” For many, they sign on to volunteer and end up on a journey full of unexpected experiences, often transformed in the process, developing a real passion for their project and role.

Since World War II, pilots have decked out the noses of their aircraft in creative ways, allowing people to connect not only with the machine, but the operators as well. This history of aircraft nose art has developed in fascinating ways from the 1940s to present day.

Every September just north of Reno, Nevada, the roar of plane engines can be heard for miles around during the National Championship Air Races. This one-of-a-kind event showcases an assortment of race planes and gives guests up close access to racing aircraft, their pilots and their pit crews.

“A total of 11,998 P-40s were built before production was finally terminated in 1944. Warhawks constituted the principal armament of the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighter squadrons throughout 1942 and 1943.