Home - Cavalcade of Wings

CAVALCADE

of wings

Cavalcade of Wings collects and maintains the history of aviation in Albuquerque and New Mexico. We are an Aviation Museum that is open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week and is free to the public. We have over 1300 models in 18 glass enclosed cases, stories, photos, insignia and more. From the first Balloon flight in 1882 to what is currently taking place today.

MODELS

100s of models coming

This section of our website will be dedicated entirely to the model display that is located at the Albuquerque International Sunport. The models will be showcased individually and show their importance in New Mexico aviation history.

Visit Us

at the Sunport

Cavalcade of Wings collects and maintains the history of aviation The Cavalcade of Wings Model Display is located on level 2 of the Albuquerque International Sunport Airport.

Donate

support us

We Accept Monetary Donations, Models, Information, Photos and artifacts.

CAVALCADE OF WINGS

Overview

Cavalcade of Wings is a 5013c nonprofit that documents and maintains the aviation history for the Albuquerque Sunport, Kirtland Air Force Base, and throughout the State of New Mexico. Our aviation museum at the Albuquerque International Sunport dates back to 1965 and contains over 900 aircraft models in 20 glass enclosed cases. Cavalcade of Wings also collects and displays aviation artifacts such as insignia, photos, history, and more from the first aircraft flight at Albuquerque in 1911 to the current aviation activity taking place today.

LEARN MORE

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1300+ Models

Located in the Albuquerque Sunport Terminal, the Cavalcade of Wings displays over 1300 models in 18 glass enclosed cases. This display shows the history of aviation that has happened to the Albuquerque area from first Balloon flight in 1882 to what is currently taking place today.

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NM Airfields' History

history Cavalcade of Wings has collected the rich stories from the various airports active, or no longer used, around the state of New Mexico. Among the aircraft history collection are also the stories of the personalities that helped create the rich history that is New Mexico aviation. This covers airports used for commercial, general aviation, medical, military, cargo, charter, or firefighting effort air fields.

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Media Collections

We have collected photos, books, pamphlets, insignias, and miscellaneous artifacts from a variety of sources that show the colorful events and activities since the 1st Balloon flight in 1882.

Our Museum is open 24/7

A tribute to the pioneers of flight and the celebration of the continuing evolution of aviation technology. We highlight 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.

“Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.” This quote by renowned aviator Eddie Rickenbacker

History Since

Aircraft Models

Hours a Day - Open Museum

Featured Models

A Tribute to TWA

Lockheed 749

Learn about the TWA Lockheed 749 Constellation. Seen here flying in 1948.

Douglas DC-2

Learn about the TWA Douglas DC-2. See here flying in 1934.

Boeing 707 331B

Learn about the TWA Boeing 707 331B . Seen here flying in 1975.

SEARCH BY MODEL #

Albuquerque's Top Models

The Cavalcade of Wings model display stands ready to greet vistors in “Great Hall” on Level 2 of the Albuquerque International Sunport.

BROWSE the MODELS

A Step Back in Time...

A Stinson Gullwing-Reliant sits outfront the original Albuquerque Air Terminal in the 1940’s.

Greetings from Albuquerque!

A postcard used by TWA in the 1940’s to advertise its service. The postcard was based on an actual picture taken in front of the original Albuquerque Air Terminal.

Express Service

One of Western Air Express’s Fokker F10’s sits waiting for passengers at Oxnard Field…Albuquerque’s first Air Field, in this picture from the late 1920’s.

All Aboard for TWA

Early TWA Lockheed Constellations (“Connies”) sit at the original Albuquerque Air Terminal waiting for passengers to board in this picture from the 1950’s.

That's the Spirit!!!

Charles Lindbergh makes a stop along the way on his Goodwill Tour in September of 1927 near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Patrolling the Skies

The New Mexico Air Guard flies formation in the F-80 (the NM Guard’s first jets) over the skies of New Mexico.

Learning To Fly

Pilots were trained to learn to fly the new four engine B-24’s out at Kirtland Air Force Base courtesy of TWA’s 4 Engine School during World War II.

Sundown on the F-16

A lonesome F-16 from the New Mexico Air Guard sits in a glorious Albuquerque sunset not long before its retirement from service around 2008 – 2009.

Support CAVALCADE OF WINGS

Thank you for interest in donating to Cavalcade of Wings. Cavalcade of Wings is a nonprofit 501-C.3 educational organization. We are registered with the Internal Revenue Service, the New Mexico Corporation Commission and the New Mexico Bureau of Taxation and Revenue. We are “unpaid docents” for the City of Albuquerque Aviation Department and the Albuquerque City Museum. We truly appreciate your support of our mission.