Warbird Information Exchange

Going North on I-75 is the Neil Armstrong Museum. While not large, I found it interesting. There is an entrance fee but a nominal one.

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Jerry
S/Sgt. - USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar" - Korea & Japan

Volunteer: National Museum of the US Air Force (2007-2016)
LTM 381st Bomb Group Memorial Association

See the whole museum in one day.......NO WAY !!! That would be an impossible task if you have much of an interest in military aircraft and it is your first trip.

And I am just talking about the main museum......not the restoration shop or the Presidential aircraft/XB-70.

I went there while I was in Ohio for the Gathering last September and I figure I saw about 20-25% of the main museum in the one day before I had to leave to fly home. I will admit I took my time and was taking pictures. But to do the whole museum in one day.....impossible for a warbird nut like me!


Ted

If you are 56th FG nut like I am, be sure to check out Hub Zemke's red-silk lined A-2 jacket on display. It wasn't there the first couple of times I visited, so it was a very pleasant surprise to see it when I was there last year.

Also, be sure to take the time to walk through the 8th AF WWII control tower and Quonset huts - very nice displays and well worth your time.

Zack

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Volunteer Coordinator/Curator - Military Aviation Museum - Virginia Beach, VA
"America's Flying Museum"
http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

Zack,

I am also a 56th FG enthusiast. I happened to attend an art show at an aviation shop in a small town here in Oregon back in 1993. I had heard there might be one or two WWII fighter pilots there, so I took a few Joe Milich prints that I had, along with me to the show.

When I got to the shop there were only a couple other customers there, but standing over in one corner I spotted two older gentlemen talking to each other. I walked over to see if they were WWII vets, and was shocked to find out the two gents were Hub Zemke and Gabby Gabreski!!

I asked them to sign a couple of P-47 prints I had with me, a likeness of one of the prints is shown below.

I also had Hub Zemke sign a Milich print of a P-38 I brought. You may remember that Zemke took over as C.O. of the 479th Fighter Group after he left the 56th F.G.

When Hub first became C.O. of the 479th they were flying P-38's and later transitioned to P-51's.

Anyway, I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to meet and talk to two great legends like Zemke and Gabreski. And because I just happened to bring along some of my aviation prints, I was able to get signatures from those two gentlemen that I can enjoy for many years.




Ted

Thanks for all of the tips and suggestions while I was traveling yesterday. Too bad I won't be there on a friday for a restoration tour. I will make the most out of my time there though.

Ted:
I too am a warbird nut. Heck, I'm an airplane nut. I don't think I've been to any aircraft museum where one day was enough. But, when the choice is to go for one day, or not go at all, well.......easy decision. That just means I will have to come back.

Thanks again everyone!
Tommy

I agree with you, Tommy. I was a little "bummed out" when I realized that I was going to see only a segment of the NMUSAF, but.......I soon formulated a plan to convince my wife that we both need to take a trip to the Great State of Ohio to visit one of her cousins........with a "short" side trip to Dayton, of course!


Ted

All the coments regarding the museum are great .... and once again, I will spend tomorrow morning volunteering at the museum. ... what a great way to spend one's retirement .....

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Jerry
S/Sgt. - USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar" - Korea & Japan

Volunteer: National Museum of the US Air Force (2007-2016)
LTM 381st Bomb Group Memorial Association

Tommy, Be sure and check out the Missle Gallery which is adjacent to the Cold War Gallery. I'm an very impressed with the missiles on display there and the setting they are in.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Pat,

Not sure when was the last time you visited the Museum as they recently added the Peacekeeper missile.

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Jerry
S/Sgt. - USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar" - Korea & Japan

Volunteer: National Museum of the US Air Force (2007-2016)
LTM 381st Bomb Group Memorial Association

Hi Jerry, The last time I was at the museum just 4 missiles graced the missile gallery. With the addition of the peacekeeper missile that now makes what, 5 missiles on display? I think it will be very cool to see when all 10 missiles are installed.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Pat,

I believe there are now 6 on dislpay ... This week they replaced the model of the Global Hawk with an actual one that had over 4200 hours. ... In addition, the brought in a MH-53 Pave Helicopter .. it has quite a history and if your interested you can read about it as well as a photo on the museum web site under the aircraft in the Cold War Gallery ...

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Jerry
S/Sgt. - USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar" - Korea & Japan

Volunteer: National Museum of the US Air Force (2007-2016)
LTM 381st Bomb Group Memorial Association

Thanks Jerry. I will have to make it back to the museum one of these days.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!