Vintage Aero Flying Museum facts for kids
VAFM's Fokker Dr.1 and SE.5 taxiing at Platte Valley Airpark
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| Established | 1997 |
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| Location | Platte Valley Airpark Fort Lupton, Colorado |
| Type | Aviation |
The Vintage Aero Flying Museum (VAFM) is an amazing aviation museum in Colorado. It used to be called the LaFayette Escadrille Flying Museum. You can find it at Platte Valley Airpark, about 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of Hudson, Colorado. It's also about 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Denver, Colorado. This museum is special because it focuses on international aviation history.
Andy Parks helps keep the history of the World War I pilots alive. His father, James Parks, was one of the last members of the famous Lafayette Escadrille group of pilots. The museum has a huge collection of original uniforms and special items from these pilots. These treasures are kept safe in custom display cases. You won't find another collection like it anywhere else in the world! The museum is set up in a quiet, rural area. It feels a lot like a French World War I air field.
VAFM is a non-profit organization. This means it's run for public benefit, not to make money. James Parks started its foundation in 1984. He wanted it to be a place for history and education.
Historic Aircraft You Can See
The Vintage Aero Flying Museum has many cool airplanes. Some of these planes can even fly! Here are some of the historic aircraft you might see:
- A 1917 Fokker Dr.I (this is a replica, meaning it's a perfect copy of the original)
- A 1918 Fokker D.VII
- A 1918 Fokker D.VIII
- A 1917 Sopwith Pup
- A 1917 SE5a
- A 1939 Vultee BT-13 Valiant
- A Mullicoupe by Younkin/Dake (this unique plane is a mix of a Monocoupe 90 and a MrMulligan)
