NMUSAF

[ffuries]

How close can you get to the displays? My father will be there this week-end and he did 26 years in the AF as a crew chief, most of it on the good ole F-4. He's meeting some buddies there and they are going to talk aircraft. With his health the way it is I think it would be cool if he could get up close and personal with the F-4 one last time.

[TAdan]

You can get pretty close to the aircraft even though most of them are surrounded by low railings. There is an F-4 cockpit section that you can sit in.

I think the docents are pretty reasonable with veterans wanting to get a bit closer as long as they ask.

[Rauhbatz]

Hi Mike...if your travels take to Columbus we are restoring an F-4C out at Newark Heath airport east of there on 161...check out my previous links on this subject.

Just stop in the airport terminal and mention we spoke...you can go thru the gate to the area between the hangars to see it...might even have a few coats of the SEA camo finish on tomorrow

[mustangdriver]

If you talk to the front desk you may be even given an escort across the bars if they are staffed well enough.

[Richard W.]

Last time I was there around 1982, except for a couple of the aircraft that had equipment and/or mannequins staged around them, there was nothing between me and the aircraft. You could walk around and underneath them.

I do recall seeing children hanging on wing tips and other people running their hands all over the paintwork, so I can undertsand why they've set up those barriers now.

[Steve Nelson]

Yep..as annoying as the barricades are, they're definitely necessary. I love the barrier free access at the Naval Aviation Museum, but last summer I was cringing at everybody (adults and kids alike) trying to turn props, move control surfaces, kick/sit on tires, etc. And don't even get me started about Flak Bait at the NASM....

SN

[Pat Carry]

Make sure you check out the missile gallery. It is very impressive.

[mustangdriver]

Yep..as annoying as the barricades are, they're definitely necessary. I love the barrier free access at the Naval Aviation Museum, but last summer I was cringing at everybody (adults and kids alike) trying to turn props, move control surfaces, kick/sit on tires, etc. And don't even get me started about Flak Bait at the NASM....

SN

I hear that Pensacola is putting in the rails as well. If you want to protect the planes, it is a must.

[Misterg97]

Without going into details, there was some nasty vandalism recently ... don't be surprised it things are tightened up a little more.

[StangStung]

^^^
Doggone it. This is why we can't have nice things. Dolts ruining it for the rest of us.

[RickH]

It wasn't me ! Neither myself or nor my tool bag have been anywhere near Pensacola !

[Pat Carry]

Without going into details, there was some nasty vandalism recently ... don't be surprised it things are tightened up a little more.

No matter where you go, there are morons amongst us.

[Django]

Without going into details, there was some nasty vandalism recently ... don't be surprised it things are tightened up a little more.

Seriously? How bad? Was there a field trip there?

[Ken]

there was some nasty vandalism recently

Well, you opened the can of worms. Most are familiar with the Enola Gay incident, you ought to go ahead and give an abbreviated version of what happened in Dayton.