Wright Patterson AF museum / Oshkosh

[merlin3]

1 day won't allow you to see everything very well. I live about 10 minutes from i19 and about 10-15 from the museum. If you need help with anything let me know.

[ExtraKatana]

I am also looking forward to visiting the museum for the first time this year in October. This will be the 50th reunion of the Ranch Hands, the unit where my father lost his life. They normally meet in Ft. Walton Beach outside of Hurlburt Field where they trained. This year We are having a dinner underneath "Patches" and the remaining Ranch Hands will be dedicating a bench with the names of the fallen.

[rleffler]

Originally Posted by scard

When we were there, I'm guessing what you guy are calling "the 4th hangar", was a special tour "through the gate" to the experimentals that you could take, and of course we did. Man, I remember the days of mystery of "tacit blue"...

They moved most of the aircraft that were in the hangars on base, to a new 4th hangar, which opened last month.

You don't need to go to the base anymore, which was always a hassle unless you had privileges to drive on base.

[scard]

Oh, and don't miss going up to Huffman Prairie field. Just sitting there on a big rock looking out across the grass you can feel the presence of Orville and Wilbur arguing over the minutia of flight.

[Jaws]

I was TDY to WP about 20 years ago that covered two weekends and I spent all Saturday and Sunday both weekends there. IMHO, two days would be the minimum and with the additions since I've been there that might not even do it justice. I've always planned to get back for a follow up but have just never made it.

Great museum...go even if it is only for one day. You will not be disappointed.

[Steve Melton]

photo from a couple weeks ago. this one was ahead of its time. see it at the museum.

[Bdalporto]

We flew into Moraine I73. A little farther away but they let us take the loaner car for 2 nights. We spent almost a full day and had to move very fast to get through 3 hangars. With 4 hangars you'll need 2 days. I wish I had spent 2 days.

[bjb3013]

Thanks for all the input. I'm sure it will come in handy planning my trip.

[Robert Anglin]

The last time we stopped by there was maybe 5 years ago. I had planned three days. The first two went off with no hitch, by the third day at 10:00AM I had to pick-up the pace and just walk past all that was left on the floor. That was before the new big Hangar this year was opened. If you really like the best collection of the U.S. Air Force, I would place my bet on at least three days to see it all. It really is worth going back there about every 4-5 years as it changes a lot over a short amount of time for a museum. Oh and be sure to go up to Boxcar and pet her. It is worth an hour by it's self. Yah one of my favorites. Hope this helps. R.E.A. III #80888

[Vlad]

National Museum of the USAF was on my bucket list for 5 years and still is. I hope to see it in the winter of 2017.