Airbase Georgia: Where History Takes Flight

Nestled on the edge of Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field in Peachtree City, a remarkable community of volunteers is keeping the legacy of the Greatest Generation alive one meticulously restored historic aircraft  at a time. Airbase Georgia, one of the largest World War II flying museums in the Southeast and a proud unit of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), has grown into a vital destination for aviation and history enthusiasts, educators, and families across Georgia and beyond.

Founded in 1987 by a handful of volunteers Airbase Georgia has steadily expanded its mission, reach, and impact. Today, the all-volunteer organization maintains a fleet of seven airworthy World War II and vintage military aircraft, with two more under active restoration. Its sprawling hangar serves as both a museum and a living classroom, offering immersive educational experiences for more than 5,000 visitors annually.

A Living Museum

At the heart of Airbase Georgia’s mission is education. Schoolchildren from across Fayette County and throughout the state routinely visit the museum, where history comes to life through docent-led tours and up-close encounters with rare aircraft. Visitors may find themselves standing beneath the wings of the powerful P-51 Mustang, the rugged Corsair featured in the film Devotion, or a Fairchild PT-19 Cornell trainer, an aircraft used to train the legendary Tuskegee Airmen at Tuskegee Army Airfield.

These aircraft are more than museum pieces; they are working artifacts that still fly, powered by the dedication of over 350 volunteers who donate tens of thousands of hours annually to restoration, maintenance, and flight operations. Whether working with their hands in the machine shop or guiding visitors through aviation history, these volunteers embody the spirit of service that defined the generation they honor.

Education goes beyond school field trips. The Airbase’s volunteers collaborate with educators to teach World War II history and spark interest in aerospace careers. In doing so, they introduce young minds to the contributions of veterans, the importance of wartime industry, and the courage required to defend freedom. The hangar itself is frequently alive with learning: on any given Saturday, children and adults alike can listen to the roar of radial engines, watch aircraft take off, or engage in hands-on learning experiences designed to make history tangible.

Honoring the Greatest Generation

The heartbeat of Airbase Georgia is its mission to honor the men and women who served during World War II, pilots, mechanics, Rosie the Riveters, and all who contributed to the war effort. Every aircraft in the Airbase fleet tells a unique story of wartime heroism and technological innovation. A restored FG-1D Corsair honors Navy and Marine aviators in the Pacific. The SBD Dauntless dive bomber recalls the pivotal victories at Coral Sea and Midway. A rare P-63 Kingcobra serves as a tribute to the lesser-known aircraft that played essential roles in testing and training.  The LT-6 Mosquito honors Korean War veterans.   

Restoration projects under way also speak volumes. A Stearman N2S-5 biplane trainer – dedicated to the women of the home front who became known as “Rosie the Riveter” – is nearing completion and will soon take to the skies. The restoration of a P-47 Thunderbolt, a massive undertaking that has drawn national attention, is expected to be completed in the coming years. These efforts ensure that future generations can witness these powerful machines not only as static displays but in flight, just as they were meant to be seen.

The emotional impact of Airbase Georgia’s work is perhaps best illustrated by the reunions it has hosted between veterans and the aircraft they once flew or maintained. As the number of living WWII veterans dwindles, preserving their stories and giving them – and their descendants – opportunities to connect with the past has become more important than ever.

A Tribute to Cornelia Fort

In 2025, Airbase Georgia will expand its educational mission through the power of storytelling and film. On June 28, the museum will host a special screening of Crosswinds: The Courageous Life of Cornelia Fort, a new documentary from Redwood Educational Technologies. The film honors one of the most remarkable yet lesser-known figures in American aviation history.

Cornelia Fort, born in 1919, became the first female pilot to die while serving on active military duty with the U.S. Army. She earned her commercial pilot’s license in 1941 and joined the Civilian Pilot Training Program, eventually instructing students in Honolulu. On December 7, 1941, she was airborne with a student when Japanese aircraft launched the attack on Pearl Harbor, placing Fort at the epicenter of one of history’s most defining moments. In 1942, Fort joined the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), where she flew military aircraft across the country in support of the war effort.

The film screening, which includes a panel discussion with film maker Judy Miller and aviation experts, aligns perfectly with Airbase Georgia’s mission to educate, inspire, and honor. Of particular significance, the organization’s Fairchild PT-19 Cornell,  the same model Cornelia Fort flew during her training and service, will be on display during the event.

“The mission of Airbase Georgia and the Commemorative Air Force is to educate, inspire, and honor,” said Joel Perkins, Airbase Georgia Leader. “Hosting the screening helps us preserve the story and legacy of Cornelia Fort and the Greatest Generation.”

Admission to the screening is free, but tickets are required and may be reserved online at here.

A Hub for Community and Events

Airbase Georgia is more than a museum; it has become a dynamic cultural and event space for the region. In 2024 alone, the Airbase hosted over 60 events, including educational programs, public tours, nonprofit fundraisers, and private celebrations. Signature local events such as “Wine and Warbirds” and “Hops and Props,” produced in collaboration with the Peachtree City Convention and Visitors Bureau, have helped draw new audiences and strengthened community ties.

The Airbase’s spacious hangar can also serve as an unique venue for events ranging from weddings to the Fayette County Education Foundation’s annual “Spring Fling.” In November 2025, the hangar will host the first-ever Fayette Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Fair – underscoring the Airbase’s evolving role as a regional gathering space with a mission-driven heart.

Proceeds from rides in restored aircraft, facility rentals, and airshow appearances fund the organization. Each year, Airbase Georgia brings history to communities across the Southeast by participating in more than 25 airshows and aviation events. These outreach efforts not only raise funds but also provide unique educational experiences to tens of thousands of attendees. Many are offered the unforgettable opportunity to fly in a vintage warbird, a bucket-list experience that supports the organization’s mission.

A Partner in Preservation

Airbase Georgia is a founding partner of the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail, a collaboration of 12 museums and historic sites dedicated to preserving the stories and sacrifices of the Georgia’s Greatest Generation. As the only Trail partner in the Atlanta metro area, Airbase Georgia serves as a gateway for many visitors beginning their journey through Georgia’s rich World War II history.

Trail visitors often include international tourists – many from Europe – who are drawn to the authenticity of Airbase Georgia’s aircraft and stories. Whether they are tracing the footsteps of American aviators or honoring the transatlantic bonds forged in war, they find in Peachtree City a meaningful place to reflect, learn, and pay tribute.

Open to All

Airbase Georgia is open to the public at no cost from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The museum is located at 1200 Echo Ct., Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field in Peachtree City. On any given visit, guests may encounter a bustling restoration workshop, passionate volunteers sharing aviation lore, and, if lucky, the thunderous rumble of a radial engine starting up before a flight.

Visitors are encouraged to follow Airbase Georgia online to stay informed about aircraft projects, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned aviation enthusiast or a curious student discovering history for the first time, Airbase Georgia offers a powerful and personal encounter with the legacy of World War II.

As the museum continues to grow, so does its impact—connecting generations, preserving heritage, and flying the stories of the past into the hearts of the future.