USAF Museum/Aviation sites
I've been visiting the museum at Wright-Pat for many years (since the mid 60's). They have made huge improvements.My first trip there was aboard an AF C-47.
If you go, be sure to visit the auxillary flight line hanger where other displays are located. My logbook shows some time in the OV-10 Bronco at the museum. Makes me feel old! I can't walk among the unit memorials outside the museum without getting a big lump in my throat and a few tears considering the heroic crews and daring deeds commemorated by the memorials. Because so many men never returned, some of the markers are the only representative monuments to those lost.
A senior citizen in my church once owned the P-36 at the museum. He used it to commute to his crop dusting jobs. Eventually the AF made him an offer he could not turn down.He still has his CFI and flies when he can.
Down South, there are a number of special museums. One very similar to Wright Pat is at Robins AFB in Warner Robins,GA. It has many older military a/c. It has the same IMAX movies that are shown at WP and the Smithsonian, a great gift shop, and unless he's passed on, a genuine aviation character who once was affiliated with the Flying Tigers AVG in China under Gen Claire Chennault, General Robert L. Scott. He wrote a patriotic novel called 'God is my Co-Pilot.' He is/was the honorary curator of the museum and a very colorful gentleman with a lot of stories. Fly into Macon Municipal and it's about a 5 mile drive. There are signs on I-75 if you are driving.
Just outside of Savannah, GA, just by the airport along the interstate is the 'Mighty 8th' Museum.It is much smaller,but the best part of it is a circular room you sit in while watching a surround-screen full of B-17's on a mission with everything the Germans had coming at you. After it ends, the elderly host will usually say, "That's how it was, because I was there in '44, or '45 as a part of the Mighty 8th." Then go down for the waterfront in Savannah for a great day-trip.
The Gulfstream factory is also at Savannah and you might get a tour.
Further south is the Maule factory and old Spence Airbase in Moultrie,Ga. It is the product of a great homebuilder, BD Maule.It is now run by family members.
In the '40's-late '50's it was a contract flying school run by my aviation hero, former world aerobatic champ Bevo Howard. Bevo would treat the newly-winged AF pilots to a graduation airshow in his Bucker Jungmeister that was brought to America on the dirgible Hindenberg by Prince Papano in the '30's. Bevo's performance included every conceivable form of snaproll and low altitude outside square loops that always caused me to fear for his survival.
Lockheed, north of Atlanta, was called the Bell Bomber plant many years ago and once was the world's largest building. Among many a/c, it produced the B-29, B-47,C-130,C-5, F-22,etc. It's fascinating if you can get a tour.
Army Aviation is well represented by a group over at Tara Field, next to Atlanta International Speedway and Hampton ,Ga.
Of course,there is a very nice small but growing museum here at Falcon Field (KFFC) in the form of the CAF.
Just outside Pensacola,Fl is the Naval Aviation Museum which is outstanding. There are bleachers outside where you can watch the Blue Angels practice in the off-season.
Birminham, Al has a small museum just behind the airport. It's worth a look-see if you are around there.
Would others mind posting their local aviation sites for us? There are hidden treasures in many parts of our land. Let's hear about them!
__________________
Vern Darley
Awarded FAA "The Wright Brothers 'Master Pilot' Award"- for 50 years safe flying
RV-6A N680V / RV-10QB N353RV
Luscombe 8E N2423K 50+years
Hatz Biplane N2423Z soon to be birthed
Falcon RV Squadron Founder
KFFC Hanger D-30
Peachtree City, Ga
770 310-7169
EAA Technical Counselor #5142
EAA Flight Advisor #486336
ATP/CFI/A&P/DAR
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