|
For those with interest in heritage planes of the past, the U.S. features many air museums which provide excellent historical aviation overviews.
We are currently highlighting several renown air museums which we highly recommend, including:
Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton
(staff photo) |
The National Museum of the United States Air Force (formerly the United States Air Force Museum) is the official museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.
It is the largest and oldest military aviation museum in the world, with over 360 aircraft and missiles in its collection.
We highly recommend a visit to the museum for aviation enthusiasts, and anyone with an interest in, and appreciation for, the efforts and service of the fine men and women of the United States Air Force!
More information and photographs of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson
(staff photo) |
Pima Air & Space Museum, located at 6000 E. Valencia Road in Tucson across from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, is one of the largest air and space museums in the world.
Opened in 1976 with 35 aircraft on display, it has evolved into the largest non-government-funded air museum in the United States.
Its collection includes a vast collection of more than 300 historic aircraft and spacecraft, housed in both interior hangars and exterior spaces, and spread over 80 acres.
You can tour the museum yourself, on your own pace. Or you can join docent-led tours, either on walking tours or tram tours.
More information and photographs of the Pima Air and Space Museum
Udvar-Hazy Smithsonian Center at Dulles
(staff photo) |
The Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum opened at Dulles Airport in December of 2003, providing additional space for the Smithsonian Institution to display thousands of aviation and space artifacts that could not be exhibited at the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall.
A centerpiece of the museum is the Boeing Aviation Hangar which permits visitors to see exhibits from three different levels. Visitors can walk among aircraft on the bottom floor, and view aircraft hanging from the arched ceiling on elevated skywalks.
More information and photographs of the Udvar-Hazy Center
Castle Air Museum in California
(staff photo) |
A group of dedicated enthusiasts in the Atwater-Merced area formed the Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc. which is now a non-profit organization. Its purpose is to build a museum in which faithfully restored historic aircraft could be exhibited for public enjoyment.
The museum opened in 1981, on a site adjacent to the former Castle Air Force Base. Most of the workers there are volunteers, and the small admission charge helps defray restoration and maintenance projects. Although most of the aircraft on display belong to the U.S. Air Force Museum, it does not provide any funds for maintenance and repair. Today, the museum displays 54 restored World War II, Korean War, and Cold War era aircraft.
More information and photographs of the Castle Air Museum
Charles Hall Airpark at Tinker AFB
(staff photo) |
Military and Oklahoma City civic leaders opened the Heritage Airpark to the public in January of 2000 to display historic aircraft that had been a part of Tinker's operations during the previous six decades.
On June 18, 2002, the park was renamed the Charles B. Hall Airpark, in honor of Major Hall, a Tuskegee Airman and highly decorated pilot from the 99th Pursuit Squadron. During World War II, Major Hall was the first African-American pilot to down an enemy aircraft in combat. The Airpark is free and accessible to the general public.
More information and photographs of the Airpark at Tinker AFB
Boeing Aviation Hangar at Udvar-Hazy Smithsonian Museum at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. |
|
|
