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From ANN:
USAF Museum In Georgia Breaks New Ground Museum of Aviation To Honor WWII Aircraft and Vets
A group of local officials and dignitaries broke
ground for a new hangar at the Robins AFB Museum of
Aviation in Georgia on Friday.
The museum, based at Robins AFB in central Georgia will soon
become the second largest Air Force museum. Only the National
Museum of the US Air Force (formerly just the "Air Force Museum")
based at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH, will be bigger.
The construction is part of the first phase of an ambitious $30
million multi-step program to honor the aircraft and veterans who
served the United States. The expansion also includes a future new
facility and education center for the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame
and a simulated flight line on the Museum grounds.
The 60,000 square-foot hangar will honor the contributions of
all World War II veterans and convey the World War II story in a
way that appeals to diverse 21st Century audiences. Exhibits
planned for the new hangar include:
* The Home Front
* World War II and the air war in Europe
* The 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the invasion of
Normandy
* World War II and the Pacific Theater
With the construction of the new hangar, aircraft that were left
outside exposed to the elements, can now be viewed and protected
under cover. Airplanes to be moved indoors include numerous WWII
training aircraft, an A-26C Invader,a B-29B Superfortress, a B-25J
Mitchell, the two main cargo planes of the era: C-46A Commando and
DC-3/C-47 (with right wing removed for cutaway display), and two
fighters that bookend the years of the war: a P-40N Warhawk and
P-51D Mustang.
"The exhibits planned for this hangar" said General Al Hansen,
Chairman, Museum of Aviation National Board of Advisors, "will
promote patriotism and increase the public's understanding of
America's historic role in World War II and the significant
contributions of Robins Air Force Base. The new addition will
inspire the generations that inherit the legacy of all
who protected freedom during one of the greatest conflicts of
the 20th Century."
Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott Jr. who died this year in Warner
Robins, GA at age 97, was a museum patron and promoter for many
years. He was nationally famous as a fighter ace and then as author
of "God Is My Co-Pilot," an account of his wartime exploits later
made into a movie of the same title.
Oliver Bateman, who flew P-51 and P-40 fighters in China under
General Scott, participated in the groundbreaking. He told the
Macon Telegraph that preserving World War II history is
crucial.
"Our squadron mates and
fellow vets are dropping off at the rate of a thousand or so each
day," Bateman said. "Facilities like this will show the history of
World War II so we can be assured that children for generations to
come will be able to see what went on at that time."
Last year, the Museum provided education programs to 38,000
students and teachers from all over the state of Georgia and the
nation.
Last edited by Warbirdnerd on Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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I guess it has been about 3 years since I was there last.