Air Force Museum

[jeffko]

Since Hocking Hills is the same time as the Air Force Museum I am considering leaving early Sunday morning to see the museum on the way home. I have been told by several people that it is an oustanding tribute to american aviation.

Anyone else interested?

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

[rdorman]

We have the Air Force museum officially listed on the schedule as an alternate activity on Sunday. If you have not been there, it is a very amazing place. Absolutely HUGE! Some of the buildings have to be hundreds of yards long. If you have any interest in aviation and/or history, it is a very, very cool place to go. I usually spend all day there. Makes the Smithsonian Air and Space look like beginners effort!

[CHRIS DAMSCH]

I'm interested Jeff........ No autocross for me this year.

Are you driving your BDR down or trailering?

[767Jockey]

I've been to this museum, and it's about the best Aviation museum I've ever been to. It's arguable a better museum than the National Air and Space museum in D.C. By all means if you're an aviation enthusiast this is a must see.

[jeffko]

Looks like what I have heard is true. I just called them and they also have an Imax showing fighter pilot readiness training and helicopter usages.

Chris, I am driving so no burnouts that far from home and although the autocross would be fun as usual I am more interested in Wright-Patterson this time which is a nice stop on the way home.

[427 S/O]

I remember talking to someone associated with the Smithsonian, He said the people working in the restoration department were some of the most talented people he had ever seen. That alone sparked my interest in flying up for a visit.

[rdorman]

You can actually tour the restoration hangers every Friday at 12:15, see this link http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/edu...ours/index.asp

[Excaliber]

I was just there, (again)! My second visit and still a great one. I was in Ohio for my sons graduation and we drove up to check it out. What I like most is the large number of engines on display, especially in the WW1 era area. Those old motors are really cool.

[rdorman]

My favorite room is the cold war gallery. In ONE building, all of the following (note the only permanent public display of a B-2)

North American T-28A Trojan
Northrop F-89J Scorpion
Northrop SM-62 Snark
Convair B-36J Peacemaker
Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star
Lockheed F-94C Starfire
Avro CF-100 Mk.4A Canuck
North American F-86D Sabre
Beech T-34A Mentor
Grumman OA-12 Duck
Republic RF-84K Thunderflash
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin
Cessna LC-126
Boeing WB-50D Superfortress
Grumman HU-16B Albatross
Vertol CH-21B Workhorse
North American F-86H Sabre
Radioplane OQ-19D
Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
Lockheed F-104C Starfighter
Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter
Martin TM-61A Matador
Martin CGM-13B Mace
Dart Aerial Gunnery Target
De Havilland U-6A Beaver
Convair B-58A Hustler
Boeing RB-47H Stratojet
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19S
Lockheed U-2A
Martin RB-57D
Northrop AT-38B Talon
Boeing B-1B Lancer
General Dynamics F-111F Aardvark
General Dynamics EF-111A Raven
McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II
Panavia Tornado GR1
McDonnell Douglas F-4G "Wild Weasel"
Lockheed AC-130A "Azrael"
Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II
Northrop BQM-74C
Northrop B-2 Spirit
Boeing X-45A J-UCAS
McDonnell F-101B Voodoo
Convair F-102A Delta Dagger
Convair F-106A Delta Dart
McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle
General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon
F-16 Sit-in Cockpit
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29A
Lockheed F-117A
Douglas C-133A Cargo Master
Lockheed SR-71A
Cessna U-3A
Cessna T-37B Tweety Bird
North American AGM-28B Hound Dog
McDonnell ADM-20 Quail
Boeing CIM-10 Bomarc
Ryan AQM-34N
Ryan BQM-34F Firebee II
Northrop T-38A Talon
Cessna T-41A Mescalero
Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker
Teledyne Ryan AQM-91A Compass Arrow
Boeing YCGM-121B Seek Spinner
Boeing AGM-86B (ALCM)
General Dynamics AGM-129A
Northrop AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/exh...dwar/index.asp

Begin to get the scale of this place? Many of which you can walk right up and touch, some you can even get in (notice you can get in the cockpit of an F-16?)! All this and admission and parking is FREE (charge for the IMAX) and a bunch of fun stuff in the large gift shop. Shoot, I may be going on Friday

[HI Cobra]

WOW - that building is huge. I visited Wright Patterson in the late 50's
when I was in the Air Scouts and they didn't have that building. The B-36
and a lot of others were outside then. My dad was an Air Force pilot so
I grew up watching a lot of these planes flying. Yes I can still remember that far back.
Now I have to revisit that place and will dedicate plenty of time to do so.
Thanks for the memory jog.

[767Jockey]

Correct me if I'm wrong - isn't the lone surviving North American XB-70 Valkyrie (sp?) at Wright Pat? I saw it once and I can't remember for certain where it was, but I think it was here. Arguably the most incredible, least known airplane ever built.

[Jerry Clayton]

I think it was outside when I saw it. it might be inside a building by now---the B36 was the biggest plane inside for a long time (pre Vietnam era) and the F15 and B52 were outside
Over in an annex was the Truman pres plane and others

If the band is -playing anywhere in the area, go see/listen--the US military are the largest group of professional musicians in the world and are the best there are

And free parking and entrance!!!!!

Jerry

[427 S/O]

Flip, I believe your correct, was told to plan on a few to days to see it all.

[RichMusson]

So, Is anyone going to stop at the Museum?

I have another thought for added incentive. I don’t know how many of y’all realize this but the Cubs are at the Sox on Sunday. I believe it’s a 1:00pm start; which will screw-up traffic the whole afternoon. Now as if the Ryan was not already a major headache for anyone that might choose that route to get home; this will make it a nightmare.
I wonder how much this will affect the entire express/toll way system.

There are alternative routes to the Ryan but as I recall it was like this two years ago and the alternates were also a problem.

So, stopping at the Museum and hitting town a little later might be a good move.

[red]

Yes, the XB-70 is inside. They have a B-2 bomber also. I've never seen the Smithsoneion Air and Space Museum, but Wright Pat is the most awsome Air Museum I've visited. There are way to many great reasons for a museum visit to list here, Just go and I guarantee you will not be disappointed, even your wife will like it!!! Besides hitting Chicago a little latter wouldn't be a bad idea.

[Excaliber]

The XB-70 is NOT in the same building/area as the main museum display anymore, like it USED to be. If you want to see it plan on getting there early and you have to take a bus or something to another near by location. We ran out of time and I missed it this time around. WOW, is that thing a site to see. I was bummed they moved it.

[jeffko]

The XB-70 is in the active part of the base but still accessible by a shuttle bus every 90 minutes starting at 9:30. There is a signup that we should get on as soon as we arrive. Everyone will need a photo ID.