What makes you want to visit an air museum

[mustangdriver]

I am working on a few things to try and help a couple of air museums and thought the gang here would like to have some input. There will be two polls, and feel free to leave any comments you wish to share with the museums.

[cooper9411]

The thought of being able to see aircraft that at one point in time were "everywhere" and now are only in museums. Every museum that I have been to, there are veterans who are ready, willing, and able to discuss their involvement with the aircraft. To me, listening to veterans, not just from WW2, but also Korea, Vietnam up to and including current conflicts is very engrossing

[TAdan]

It is the aircraft that get me in the door, and the interesting artifacts or displays that make me want to stay and visit for a while.

[mustangdriver]

Thanks so much guys. It will be interesting to hear the responses.

[Misterg97]

The thought of being able to see aircraft that at one point in time were "everywhere" and now are only in museums. Every museum that I have been to, there are veterans who are ready, willing, and able to discuss their involvement with the aircraft. To me, listening to veterans, not just from WW2, but also Korea, Vietnam up to and including current conflicts is very engrossing

It is the aircraft that get me in the door, and the interesting artifacts or displays that make me want to stay and visit for a while.

My personal "Thanks" to both gentlemen ... their answers are part in what inspires me to spend every Friday in the Korea/Southeast Asia Gallery at the NMUSAF ... I send my personal tip of my glass and hat to both of you ...

[Fouga23]

If they have a Fouga, I'm there

[Jarink1]

I'm with the others. The planes bring me in, but the vets and their stories are what make the experience special. The men (and women) who flew in the planes are as much a part of the history as the machines themselves.

With the inevitable march of time, those vets won't always be there. A museum with an eye towards the future would do well to capture as many of those vets' stories as possible and make them displays of their own. Not just videos, but also things like clothing, equipment, personal items, etc. My favorite non-airplane display at the NMUSAF is the hallway with the uniforms and personal flight jackets.

[DaveG]

I voted for the planes, but this summer I went to the Millville Army Air Museum in NJ and was thoroughly engrossed in the displays they had there. It was kind of spontaneous as I was in the area vacationing for the first time and so I wasn't really sure what we'd see. I found a museum brochure at an interstate rest stop that showed Tom Duffy's P-47 ("No Guts No Glory") but couldn't confirm that it was part of the museum. Turns out (as many of you know), both the museum and Mr. Duffy's planes are at the airport but they aren't on display, so that was disappointing.

They did have an amazing collection of models, uniforms, photographs, weapons, and artifacts from a field that trained lots of Thunderbolt pilots. They had a well-stocked gift shop, friendly staff, and they helped tell the important story about Millville.

Besides, as Zach Baughman knows, we have two Thunderbolts down here just 25 miles from Knoxville if I really have to see one. Or two.

[cooper9411]

The thought of being able to see aircraft that at one point in time were "everywhere" and now are only in museums. Every museum that I have been to, there are veterans who are ready, willing, and able to discuss their involvement with the aircraft. To me, listening to veterans, not just from WW2, but also Korea, Vietnam up to and including current conflicts is very engrossing

It is the aircraft that get me in the door, and the interesting artifacts or displays that make me want to stay and visit for a while.

My personal "Thanks" to both gentlemen ... their answers are part in what inspires me to spend every Friday in the Korea/Southeast Asia Gallery at the NMUSAF ... I send my personal tip of my glass and hat to both of you ...

My heartfelt THANKS to you sir. Thank you for your compliment

[Sabremech]

Good question Chris,
One thing that I could see that would gain more interest, at least for me, is to be able to get closer to the airplane or see it with panels off. I want to see what made it come to life. Walking around the outside of it behind rope barriers only holds my attention for a short period of time. I don't want to touch it but want to see more than an airplane just sitting there.
Hope this helps.
David

[67N20]

It is the aircraft that get me in the door, and the interesting artifacts or displays that make me want to stay and visit for a while.

The list of planes on the website is what makes me want to go to a new museum. I usually have my family with me which kind of limits the time I can spend, so the other items they may have don't get a lot of attention from me.
One thing I really like is a plaque describing the history of the aircraft type, and a plaque describing the history of that particular aircraft.

[bmoran]

A list of aricraft on display gets me in the door. I find it best to be able to look at them, really get to see them, and photograph them to be important to me. This means good interior lighting and the ability to get the whole aircraft in the picture frame from multiple angles. I like a clear history of the type, and specific aircraft. One thing I really dislike at museums is when they do not call out if an artifact is a representation, relica, or an original.

[kalamazookid]

What gets me there are either a large number of aircraft, or specific aircraft I want to see. If there are complementary displays such as a quality model or engine display, that's even better. What keeps me going back though are changing exhibits, restorations, and events. Seeing restorations progress, new models or rotating artifact exhibits and special events really add to the experience and make me want to go back.

[6trn4brn]

Great question Chris and looks like some really good thoughts so far. Mine fall in line with everyone else. I know of some bits and pieces from a certain B-17 that is represented at Grissom that really should be on display. Last time I was there, I accidently came upon the original P-47 panel with the nose art on it...that is AWESOME! Possibly a book of some sort inside the museum at Grissom with some background information/photos of the planes would be about the only thing that I would suggest....outside of a multi-million dollar building to put all the girls inside

The natural lighting and catwalk at the NASM (Udvar-Hazy) makes for a wonderful way to observe and photograph their aircraft.

Finally, when I die I want to have my ashes spread around inside one of the display buildings at the NMUSAF! Maybe if they keep it all dark in there the way it is now, Jerry won't see the dust and want to sweep me up to throw me in a trash can

[Ken]

My favorite aspect is when there is a placard at a display aircraft detailing its own specific history. All too often this description is missing, overly general, or just says "on loan from so-and-so".