"Keep em Flying"
Cargo, Aerobatics and Space Exploration
Hot air balloons flying during festival at Brandon (Image Source: Florida Memory Collection)
As the birthplace of commercial aviation in the United States, Florida hosted tantalizing aeronautical events which captured the imaginations of the residents of Florida. In 1878, Jacksonville Florida was the first city to see a gentleman floating above a skyline in a hot air balloon.
"Pictured here are members of the 97th Bombardment group in a 'V for Victory' formation, along with some of their belongings. The tents seen in the background served as a temporary barracks before permanent buildings were constructed at a later date. They deployed from Sarasota in May 1942 to join the 8th Air Force in Europe."
Members of the 97th Bombardment group (Image Source: Florida Memory Collection)
