Among its other attractions are a 180-degree theater that projects a 2-D film simulation of a B-17 bombing mission during World War II; and various amusement rides, including flight simulators of a rocket trip to Mars, a U.S. Navy (former Blue Angel) F/A-18 Hornet, a stunt biplane, a hot air balloon, a veteran U.S. Navy F-14A Tomcat that served aboard USS America, and more.

[6] The museum was dedicated to "preserving and displaying historical and military artifacts and to serving as a research and educational facility for this country and abroad."

The name comes from the fact that so many of the planes in its collection have animal nicknames like Warhawk, Gooney bird, Wildcat, Bearcat, and Hellcat.

On April 25, 2003, construction began on a new 120,000-square-foot (11,000 m2) facility that doubled the museum's size and added flight simulators, amusement rides, Smithsonian Institution exhibitions, character actors, and a 4-D theater that combines 3-D films with special effects such as rocking chairs and plumes of smoke to simulate anti-aircraft fire.

It was also announced that the museum was donated the 60,000 pound anchor Chicago to the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and several pieces of the carrier deck for outside display.