USAF Museum trip

[Rino]

     Dayton, Ohio at Wright-Patterson AFB.
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/index.asp

[xbrit]

That looks like a LOT of fun...Where is that it?

Wright Patterson AFB Dayton Oh. Unusual for a major attraction like this  is that entrance and parking are free.

[Simaril]

Without  doubt, its the best air force museum in the world - in terms of number and variety of planes. It is naturally slanted towards US air, but has a variety of captured planes (like the Mig a Korean era defector flew out of NK). And there's nothing like the B-36 for making you feel small...

Air and Space in DC has more international planes, and definitely gets first dibs on the rare and unusual. (They have a Ar 234, for example). But for getting up close and personal with US planes from every era, Wright Pat rules.

I've lived in Ohio almost my whole life, and we got to make multiple trips as I grew up. I remember being able to stick my head up into the crew access area of a P-61. It's gotten steadily bigger, has continued to acquire more planes and rockets, and renamed itself in the interval - but it's always rocked! For the aviation enthusiast, consider it a required pilgrimage

[BowHTR]

Wright Patterson AFB Dayton Oh. Unusual for a major attraction like this  is that entrance and parking are free.

theres another one at Warner Robins AFB, Warner Robins Ga.

[Shuffler]

Thanks for posting.

[Tyrannis]

Well as I mentioned in the other thread my family took me  off to the USAF Museum for a birthday treat. Here are some of the photos I took that day, they are not great but wanted to share with you guys.
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Quick intro I'm the fat bald guy in the F16 sim.
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question, is the memphis belle on display up there yet?.

i used to have an uncle who worked at the base, so i'd go to that place all the time.
back in 06, they brought the belle there for restoration, had her cut up into sections. they said they should of had her back on display by last year.

[xbrit]

question, is the memphis belle on display up there yet?.

i used to have an uncle who worked at the base, so i'd go to that place all the time.
back in 06, they brought the belle there for restoration, had her cut up into sections. they said they should of had her back on display by last year.

If it was I didn't see it.

[DMGOD]

Awesome pics brit thanks for sharing sir 

[Simaril]

The original "Bock's Car" B-29 (Nagasaki) is on display, but I thought the Memphis Belle was on display in, well, Memphis?

[jolly22]

Oh ok sweet! im heading up there for spring break, definently going to check this out.

Andyone ever been to the might 8th AF museum outside of savannah, GA? Is that recommened?

[Tyrannis]

The original "Bock's Car" B-29 (Nagasaki) is on display, but I thought the Memphis Belle was on display in, well, Memphis?

the Belle needed some resoration to be done to her. so wright pat was chosen to do it.

i think the deal was they restore the belle for memphis, and wright pat gets to display her in there museum for awhile (not 100% sure of it tho).


last time i saw her up there, they had her wings hanging by chains on the wall, all 4 engines were unattached. and they had her body seperated into 3 sections. i think she had some rust problems, or something along those lines.

[Imowface]

Aluminum does not rust

[TOMCAT21]

thanks brit.....great pics..

[curry1]

Aluminum does not rust

it oxidizes?

[ebfd11]

For all that want to know what Wright Patterson i doing on the "REAL" Memphis Belle check this out

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/photos/slideshow.asp?id={0A2C97E9-2955-40E9-AF0C-568F0BC993BA}

And why I say this is because of this little excerpt taken from the museums website itself on the history of the Memphis Belle

Note: The original Memphis Belle was on static display in Memphis, Tenn., until October 2005. At that time, it was transported to the museum where it is now undergoing restoration. The B-17 with "Memphis Belle" markings seen at many air shows is not the original aircraft.

And here you gents go,,, http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/exhibits/restoration/index.asp

When I was there the tour guide said the Belle was in such disarray that some of the original skin had to be replaced due to vandalism from when it was on display in Memphis. There were visible gouges in the interior of the skin and you could see on the outside that there were many coats of OD paint, trying to cover up the graffiti. As I stated earlier I was awestruck and humbled to know I was looking at a piece of history and in all reality I was able to touch it.

Another project they were working on was a plane that they found in the cold waters off of Ireland I believe, and they restoring it per the manufactures plans and what they cannot restore they are fabricating new and per spec.

If you find yourself going take a chance and go in and check out the Restoration projects they have, it is awesome to see them do so much with no money and all volunteer help.

And for you that want they have the Airforce One that President Kennedy flew to Dallas on and flew back with President Johnson. Very solemn knowing what transpired on that plane.


So gents it is worth the trip and if you do go remember to wear sneakers, its over 1 million square feet inside (if I remember correctly) and bring a camera with a LARGE scan disc or lots and lots of film.

Oh BTW sorry for the Hijack.


LawnDart