What do Red Sox great Ted Williams, Patriots legend Rob Grontkowski, and Channel 9’s Fred Kocher all have in common?
Besides all being heavy hitters in their respective fields, they’re all part of the fabulous 2026 Aviation Museum Gala Online Auction Preview, now live online and open for bidding.
This year’s auction line-up features a terrific mix of unique collectibles, custom-curated packages, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and more. There’s something for everyone (and every budget!) in this year’s auction.
View and download the 2026 Auction Catalog below:
Proceeds will help the non-profit Aviation Museum create a new permanent exhibit, “Robert Fortnam: Pilot. Patriot. P.O.W.” The exhibit will tell the remarkable story of Fortnam, a New Hampshire resident who flew B-17s in World War II and spent 19 months in a German P.O.W. camp.
Check out this year’s online auction, which is live now. Visitors can freely browse all items, but to place any bids, you’ll need to create an account, which takes only a few minutes.
Then bid as much as you like until Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 3 p.m., when online bidding closes. The high bids are then transferred to the Gala on Thursday, Oct. 8, where attendees have a final chance to bid on all lots during the silent auction.
What can you find in this year’s Aviation Museum auction? It offers a world of possibilities, including…
- Rides in an open cockpit biplane, a private Piper aircraft, a glider, and a helicopter! (You can even win flight lessons!)
- The chance to take control of a vintage military tank, or to take French lessons. (Heck, why not do both?)
- Historic collectible packages from World War II and the Apollo era, including models, memorabilia, ephemera and more.
- Items signed by World War II aviation legends Greg “Pappy” Boyington and Francis “Gabby” Gabreski.
- For sports fans, you’ll find items signed by Red Sox immortal Ted Williams, plus Rob Grontkowski of the Patriots.
- A book signed by three crew members of the Enola Gay when it flew its historic 1945 mission to drop the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
- Gift baskets, cultural passports, memberships in organizations all over the state—all available at bargain prices!
Thank you for taking time to check out the Aviation Museum’s online preview auction, open for bidding now through Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 3 p.m.
And stay tuned for when we announce the line-up of this year’s spectacular raffle packages—which will be available ONLY to those who attend the Gala IN PERSON on Thursday, Oct. 8.
Get your tickets now and see you on Thursday, Oct. 8 at Manchester Community College.
