Just toured the AirForce museum in Dayton. WOW

Yeah, it's pretty incredible. I need to go back.
 
A bunch of us would go every year while we were in town for the Dayton HamVention. Lots of good memories of the museum.
 
I can (and did) spend about half a day just looking at the evolution of engines and earliest flight airplanes. Pretty incredible. I still haven't seen probably 70% of the museum after spending most of a day there.
 
I long to return to that place. I wish Dayton was more convenient.
 
I used to work about a half-mile or so from the museum. It was great. I would go at lunch just to look around for a bit. So I've been there many times, but still probably haven't seen everything!
 
On my bucket list to go. What's the closest/best airport to fly GA into?
 
jkgoblue said:
On my bucket list to go. What's the closest/best airport to fly GA into?
Click to expand...
There are other options but a not-terrible one is flying into Columbus. You can walk to the rental car counters from the FBO (and they’ll give you a ride if you want). A little over an hour’s drive from there to the museum.
 
To really experience the museum, you need to block out at least two or three full days, from open to close. If they still do the restoration hangar tours, it's worth the time and effort to get on it.
 
I once took my son and a buddy of his (they were maybe 10 years old) to that museum. It was a fantastic day for all three kids...
 
Years ago I flew into Boeing Field in Seattle with a young nephew. Our goal was to visit the Museum of Flight.
I informed the Tower of our intentions. We were met by a Museum official who opened a gate for us for secure parking.
When we were ready to go we went to the main desk and let them know that we needed our plane.

That was perhaps 30 years ago.
 
I have been several times over the years. It keeps getting bigger and better.

The other one for the bucket list is the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola. And just up the road is the USAF Ordnance Museum. Some buds and I are getting together in September to do them. And the Blue Angels fly their practice flights there and you can watch.
 
I will be happy to give anybody a tour of the Museum if I’m free when you’re in town.
 
X3 Skier said:
Enjoyed it. Tell your son not to abuse the slick F-15E he’s ferrying to the Depot.
Click to expand...
I’m sure he drives it like granny going to church on Sunday morning. Thanks again for the tour.
 
It's definitely one of the best aviation museums there is, maybe the best outside of the National Air and Space Museum (incl. Udvar-Hazy). My personal favorites there are the XB-70, B-36, Caproni CA.36 WWI bomber, Twin Mustang, all the presidential aircraft, and Bockscar, the silverplate B-29 that dropped the Fat Man atomic bomb on Nagasaki.

And yes, it's worth at least 2-3 days.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
It's definitely one of the best aviation museums there is, maybe the best outside of the National Air and Space Museum (incl. Udvar-Hazy). My personal favorites there are the XB-70, B-36, Caproni CA.36 WWI bomber, Twin Mustang, all the presidential aircraft, and Bockscar, the silverplate B-29 that dropped the Fat Man atomic bomb on Nagasaki.

And yes, it's worth at least 2-3 days.
Click to expand...
Next time you see the Caproni Bomber, take a good look at the Pilot. You might recognize him.
 
Pinecone said:
The other one for the bucket list is the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola.
Click to expand...
Absolutely love this museum and would whole-heartedly recommend the trip. Having been stationed there a couple of times, I would "go to church" intermittently and just wander through the airplanes. I like that it's set up with minimal barriers between people and the aircraft. Wonderful docents. The occasional free airshow was always fun too, although I got that sitting on the front porch of my house.
 
Half Fast said:
I have been several times over the years. It keeps getting bigger and better.

The other one for the bucket list is the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola. And just up the road is the USAF Ordnance Museum. Some buds and I are getting together in September to do them. And the Blue Angels fly their practice flights there and you can watch.
Click to expand...

I've been to the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola. It is great. Along with the one in Tucson. I still need to get to Dayton.
 
I have gone several times ,I was coming back from Iowa to Massachusetts with the intention of stopping at the museum. However the weather would not cooperate. I find two days to be sufficient for what I want to see. I have also visited the navy museum in Pensacola.
 
GoFly said:
And special thanks to X3 Skier for showing us around.
Click to expand...


The museum is outstanding - there’s really nothing else like it anywhere in the world. I work about five miles from there, and frequently drive past the museum on the way to the AF Research Labs, which is just half a mile from the museum.

While I haven’t done a formal comparison, I’d guess this area has one of the highest concentrations of GA airports in the country - roughly 20 airports within a 20-mile radius.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top