Favorite aviation museums for civil/transport aircraft?

AlleyCat67

AlleyCat67

Pre-takeoff checklist
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AleyCat67
Most of the aviation museum recommendations I see focus on military aviation (warbirds). Are there some good spots that specialize in vintage airliners or other civilian aircraft? Bonus points for East of the Mississippi River but I’d take suggestions anywhere.
 
Best museum on the planet for golden-age general aviation is the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum at Hood River, Oregon (4S2). Most of the extensive collection is airworthy, including a 105-year-old Curtiss Jenny.

https://waaamuseum.org

I was just there again a few weeks ago, and the only nosewheel I remember seeing was on the 1912 Curtiss Pusher replica hanging over the gift shop, :D
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VcTfSimXoDHJG4sp8
 
-Udvar Hazy at Dulles
-Museum of Flight in Seattle
-Carolinas Aviation Museum (currently closed for renovation)

Those are the best airline/civil aviation collections I’ve seen.

Beechcraft Heritage Museum is one of the best GA related museums

Ones that I’ve heard are good but haven’t had a chance to see are the Delta museum at ATL and the AA museum in DFW.

A runner up would be San Diego Air and Space- it has some civil aviation, but still mostly military focused.
 
Love visiting aviation museums online, so this thread is handy, especially from Australia! Cheers.
 
The Alaska Aviation Museum at Lake Hood in Anchorage is fun. Historic bush planes through an F-15 and 737.
 
The Carolinas Aviation Museum is now the "Sullenburger Aviation Museum" (their lead artifact is Sully's "miracle on the Hudson" airbus). It's scheduled to reopen in Summer 2024.
Closed for "renovation" is sort of a misnomer. They got evicted from their former hangar and are rebuilding in the new facility.
 
I went to the Smithsonian 3 weeks ago and the space that is open is too civilian. I missed all the missiles and rockets
 
We enjoyed Cavanaugh in Addison TX.
Piper Lock Haven PA did not take much time but struck me as a must see!
 
Udvar Hazy at Dulles has a GA exhibit among their collection. I've flown a few of the planes hanging there!
 
chemgeek said:
Udvar Hazy at Dulles has a GA exhibit among their collection. I've flown a few of the planes hanging there!
Click to expand...

The actual planes that are in the museum? Or the same make/model?

I have flown a number of make/model that are in the museum, but not the museum planes.
 

Sullenberger Aviation Museum (Formerly the Carolinas Aviation Museum) at CLT​

has the Miracle airplane on display.
 
I was just at the Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal, KS. There’s 110 aircraft there. https://www.cityofliberal.org/191/Mid-America-Air-Museum. Website isn’t great, but the collection is wonderful. They have the original Beech Starship that was used for all the promotions. A great list of civil aircraft as well as military.
 
Gratuitous shot of Udvar-Hazy. My Navion (and Bob Hoobear, my copilot) in the background. That's Margy up in the wing walker rig.

1692880072352.png
 
Pinecone said:
The actual planes that are in the museum? Or the same make/model?

I have flown a number of make/model that are in the museum, but not the museum planes.
Click to expand...
I've flown the 152 Aerobat that's displayed there. I wouldn't be surprised if others here had as well.

Nauga,
with "one man, one plane, one sik-sak"
 
Last edited:
Pilawt said:
Best museum on the planet for golden-age general aviation is the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum at Hood River, Oregon (4S2). Most of the extensive collection is airworthy, including a 105-year-old Curtiss Jenny.

https://waaamuseum.org

I was just there again a few weeks ago, and the only nosewheel I remember seeing was on the 1912 Curtiss Pusher replica hanging over the gift shop, :D
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VcTfSimXoDHJG4sp8
Click to expand...
Blancolirio at WAAAM Museum today ...

www.youtube.com

blancolirio is going live! Hood River Museum

www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 
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