CAVALCADE OF WINGS
Overview
Cavalcade of Wings is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit that has been documenting and displaying the aviation history for the Albuquerque Sunport, Kirtland Air Force Base, and the State of New Mexico since 1965. The aviation museum at the Albuquerque Sunport began with one display case and 25 models in 1965 and now contains over 900 commercial, military, and private aircraft models. Along with aircraft models, Cavalcade of Wings collects and displays aviation insignia, photos, and artifacts to help tell this incredible aviation story of New Mexico.
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Latest News
New Location
The Albuquerque Sunport plans to relocate the Cavalcade of Wings Aviation History Museum to accommodate the ongoing “Dream of Flight” construction project. Here are the architect’s renderings of the proposed design solution showing new display cases located in the Great Hall underneath the existing Ingram-Foster Biplane display.
The Sunport’s proposed Cavalcade of Wings
aviation museum conceptual design.
900+ Models
Located in the Albuquerque Sunport Terminal’s “Great Hall”, the Cavalcade of Wings aviation museum has on display over 900 scale commercial, military, and private aircraft models. From the first balloon flight in 1882, the first airplane to visit the state in 1911, the first military use of airplanes for a campaign in 1916, the first commercial airplane service to Albuquerque in 1929, to the commercial and military aircraft flying into New Mexico today are on display.
NM Airfields' History
Cavalcade of Wings has collected and preserved the legacy of every civilian and military airfield across the entire State of New Mexico. From all active airports and military bases to the exciting histories of airports and bases that no longer exist. Along with the airfield histories, the stories of the many local and national personalities that helped create the rich history of New Mexico’s aviation past are documented.
Media Collections
Cavalcade of Wings has collected a diverse set of artifacts to help preserve the aviation history of New Mexico. From the expansive photo collection to a wide range of documents, letters, and insignia, these artifacts tell a compelling story of the colorful events that has defined New Mexico’s aviation history.
Our Museum is open 24/7
The Cavalcade of Wings aviation history museum is a tribute to the pioneers of flight and the celebration of the continuing evolution of aviation technology. The museum highlights the excitement and wonder that people have felt about flight since the earliest days of aviation, and the enduring fascination that airplanes continue to inspire in people of all ages today. All of that history has been combined with the contributions of the State of New Mexico to show our place in aviation history.
“I’m not bound to be in aviation at all. I’m here only because I love the sky and flying more than anything else on earth. Of course there’s danger; but a certain amount of danger is essential to the quality of life. I don’t believe in taking foolish chances’ but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all” ~ Charles Lindbergh
History Since
Aircraft Models
HOURS A DAY – THE MUSEUM IS OPEN
Featured Models
a Sample of Our Models
FRANK HAWKS TEXACO TRAVEL AIR TYPE R MYSTERY SHIP
Learn about the airplane purchased by Texaco as a revolutionary new racing aircraft, the Travel Air Type R Mystery Ship.
DE PINEDO SAVOIA-MARCHETTI S-55 SANTA MARIA
Learn about the ill fated aircraft that was planning a flight around the world during the winter of 1926-27.
R. L. HARRISON TRAVEL AIR 4000
Learn about the the first “Company” plane in Albuquerque, this aircraft was used to deliver parts to any place it could land.
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Cavalcade of Wings is happy to announce that Kirtland Credit Union will be a major sponsor of the new Aviation History Museum display cabinets located in the “Great Hall” at the Albuquerque Sunport. This sponsorship will include all of the Kirtland Air Force Base aviation history displays which is appropriate since Kirtland Credit Union was established by several Airmen assigned to Kirtland AFB in the late 1950’s.
Cavalcade of Wings is happy to announce that Kirtland Credit Union will be a major sponsor of the new Aviation History Museum display cabinets located in the “Great Hall” at the Albuquerque Sunport. This sponsorship will include all of the Kirtland Air Force Base aviation history displays which is appropriate since Kirtland Credit Union was established by several Airmen assigned to Kirtland AFB in the late 1950’s.
Cavalcade of Wings is pleased to announce that the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History has become the first sponsor of the new Aviation History Museum display cabinets at the Albuquerque Sunport. This relationship is a perfect match since a large part of Kirtland Air Force Base’s aviation history is directly tied to the nuclear history represented by this National Museum.
Cavalcade of Wings is pleased to announce that the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History has become the first sponsor of the new Aviation History Museum display cabinets at the Albuquerque Sunport. This relationship is a perfect match since a large part of Kirtland Air Force Base’s aviation history is directly tied to the nuclear history represented by this National Museum.
Former President Donald Trump and his iconic “Trump Force One”, Boeing 757 N757AF, line up to land on Runway 21 at the Albuquerque Sunport on October 30, 2024 for a midday campaign stop.
Photo courtesy of @campcraig71
Former President Donald Trump and his iconic “Trump Force One”, Boeing 757 N757AF, line up to land on Runway 21 at the Albuquerque Sunport on October 30, 2024 for a midday campaign stop.
Photo courtesy of @campcraig71
US Airways returned scheduled service to Albuquerque in late 2007 after merging with America West Airlines. This time all flights went to Phoenix, Arizona and the carrier introduced their fourth and final livery as seen here on this Airbus A319. This aircraft, N747UW, was captured while taxing at the Sunport on April 21, 2015, six months before US Airways merged into American.
US Airways returned scheduled service to Albuquerque in late 2007 after merging with America West Airlines. This time all flights went to Phoenix, Arizona and the carrier introduced their fourth and final livery as seen here on this Airbus A319. This aircraft, N747UW, was captured while taxing at the Sunport on April 21, 2015, six months before US Airways merged into American.
Just before USAir left Albuquerque in 1997, they had changed their name to US Airways and introduced their third livery as seen here on this Airbus A321, N189UW. US Airways never scheduled the A321 on flights to Albuquerque however this aircraft was diverted to the Sunport on March 22, 2007.
Just before USAir left Albuquerque in 1997, they had changed their name to US Airways and introduced their third livery as seen here on this Airbus A321, N189UW. US Airways never scheduled the A321 on flights to Albuquerque however this aircraft was diverted to the Sunport on March 22, 2007.
During the mid-1990’s USAir flew the Boeing 737-400 to Albuquerque with nonstop service from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This 737-400, N425US, was captured arriving at the Albuquerque Sunport circa 1995 wearing the second of four liveries used by USAir. The 737-400 was slightly longer than the -300 and has two emergency exits doors over each wing.
During the mid-1990’s USAir flew the Boeing 737-400 to Albuquerque with nonstop service from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This 737-400, N425US, was captured arriving at the Albuquerque Sunport circa 1995 wearing the second of four liveries used by USAir. The 737-400 was slightly longer than the -300 and has two emergency exits doors over each wing.
USAir served Albuquerque on two occasions, from 1988 through 1997 and again as US Airways from 2007 through 2015. They carrier was merged into American Airlines on October 15, 2015, nine years ago. Seen here is a USAir Boeing 737-300, N588US, in the first of four liveries worn during USAir’s services at ABQ. Photo acquired from the Cavalcade of Wings archives.
USAir served Albuquerque on two occasions, from 1988 through 1997 and again as US Airways from 2007 through 2015. They carrier was merged into American Airlines on October 15, 2015, nine years ago. Seen here is a USAir Boeing 737-300, N588US, in the first of four liveries worn during USAir’s services at ABQ. Photo acquired from the Cavalcade of Wings archives.
This is the right side of the same Frontier Boeing 737-200, N214AU, taken while parked at gate B-2 at the Albuquerque Sunport in 1994. Gate B-2 was removed for the expansion of the TSA checkpoint in the mid-2000’s.
This is the right side of the same Frontier Boeing 737-200, N214AU, taken while parked at gate B-2 at the Albuquerque Sunport in 1994. Gate B-2 was removed for the expansion of the TSA checkpoint in the mid-2000’s.
The second Frontier Airlines began service to Albuquerque from Denver and El Paso on October 13, 1994, 30 years ago. The carrier began their service with used Boeing 737-200’s and soon obtained newer 737-300’s. The first set of aircraft carried different wildlife images on each side of the tail. Seen here is the left side of the original 737-200, N214AU, at the Albuquerque Sunport in 1994.
The second Frontier Airlines began service to Albuquerque from Denver and El Paso on October 13, 1994, 30 years ago. The carrier began their service with used Boeing 737-200’s and soon obtained newer 737-300’s. The first set of aircraft carried different wildlife images on each side of the tail. Seen here is the left side of the original 737-200, N214AU, at the Albuquerque Sunport in 1994.
US Airways flew its last flights on October 16, 2015, nine years ago. The carrier completed its merger into American Airlines the next day. US Airways had been flying from Albuquerque to Phoenix, a route they obtaining by merging with America West Airlines in 2007. This Airbus A320, N663AW was photographed at the Albuquerque Sunport in 2007.
US Airways flew its last flights on October 16, 2015, nine years ago. The carrier completed its merger into American Airlines the next day. US Airways had been flying from Albuquerque to Phoenix, a route they obtaining by merging with America West Airlines in 2007. This Airbus A320, N663AW was photographed at the Albuquerque Sunport in 2007.
The new Cavalcade of Wings display cabinets at the Albuquerque Sunport are almost ready. The model move scheduled for October 1st was canceled due to installation problems. We are now waiting for the contractor and the Sunport to turn over the area to us so the roughly 750 aircraft models remaining in the current display cabinets can move over. Hopefully we can relocate the collection by the end of October.
The new Cavalcade of Wings display cabinets at the Albuquerque Sunport are almost ready. The model move scheduled for October 1st was canceled due to installation problems. We are now waiting for the contractor and the Sunport to turn over the area to us so the roughly 750 aircraft models remaining in the current display cabinets can move over. Hopefully we can relocate the collection by the end of October.
This Beech 350 Super King Air, N67RF, flies for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. It is seen landing on runway 08 at the Albuquerque Sunport on September 19, 2024.
This Beech 350 Super King Air, N67RF, flies for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. It is seen landing on runway 08 at the Albuquerque Sunport on September 19, 2024.
This Southern Airways Tecnam P2012, N503SA, diverted to the Albuquerque Sunport after departing the Double Eagle II Airport on September 11, 2024. The aircraft had been flying for Southern Airways in the Marianas Islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It also included a title of “Marianas” on the fuselage but that has since been removed. It is seen still parked at Atlantic Aviation at the Albuquerque Sunport on October 4, 2024.
This Southern Airways Tecnam P2012, N503SA, diverted to the Albuquerque Sunport after departing the Double Eagle II Airport on September 11, 2024. The aircraft had been flying for Southern Airways in the Marianas Islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It also included a title of “Marianas” on the fuselage but that has since been removed. It is seen still parked at Atlantic Aviation at the Albuquerque Sunport on October 4, 2024.
Many private charter aircraft are also flying into ABQ this week. Seen here is a Wheels Up Private Jets Cessna 750 Citation X, N903UP, landing on runway 08 at the Albuquerque Sunport on October 4, 2024 after a quick flight from Carlsbad, NM.
Many private charter aircraft are also flying into ABQ this week. Seen here is a Wheels Up Private Jets Cessna 750 Citation X, N903UP, landing on runway 08 at the Albuquerque Sunport on October 4, 2024 after a quick flight from Carlsbad, NM.
Spirit Airlines wins the honors this year for adding the most extra capacity at ABQ for Balloon Fiesta week. Spirit has added a daily flight to Dallas/Fort Worth and one daily to Los Angeles from October 2 thru 15, 2024. Most of these extra flights, as well as several existing flights to Las Vegas, will operate with 235-seat Airbus A321Neo aircraft. Seen here is a Spirit A321Neo, N732NK, landing on runway 08 at the Albuquerque Sunport on October 4, 2024.
Spirit Airlines wins the honors this year for adding the most extra capacity at ABQ for Balloon Fiesta week. Spirit has added a daily flight to Dallas/Fort Worth and one daily to Los Angeles from October 2 thru 15, 2024. Most of these extra flights, as well as several existing flights to Las Vegas, will operate with 235-seat Airbus A321Neo aircraft. Seen here is a Spirit A321Neo, N732NK, landing on runway 08 at the Albuquerque Sunport on October 4, 2024.
Alaska Airlines has upgraded its flights to Portland, Oregon for Balloon Fiesta week from the normal Embraer 175 regional jets to the much larger Boeing 737-900’s. Seen here is an Alaska 737-900, N464AS, on landing approach for runway 08 at the Albuquerque Sunport on September 29, 2024.
Alaska Airlines has upgraded its flights to Portland, Oregon for Balloon Fiesta week from the normal Embraer 175 regional jets to the much larger Boeing 737-900’s. Seen here is an Alaska 737-900, N464AS, on landing approach for runway 08 at the Albuquerque Sunport on September 29, 2024.