Last week, we took a family vacation to Indianapolis, which I will blog about later. While researching the trip, I found that the National Air Force Museum in Dayton was our halfway point on the drive. I visited when I was probably 6 years old, so no memory of it whatsoever (and I think it was nothing like it is today). I asked numerous friends if they had ever been there and not one person said that they had. Even my husband was not very enthusiastic about it, thinking my daughter would not be interested. But the online reviews were great and admission is free, so I made an executive decision to visit.
All I can say is, "WOW!" For three people with about zero interest in aircraft and wars, we spent 4 hours and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The 4 hangars are divided into the following galleries: Early Aviation/WWI/WW2, Korean/Vietnam Wars, Cold War, Presidential/Space/R&D. There are 9 aircraft which you can walk through and a number of hands on activities. Here are some photos from the day:
All I can say is, "WOW!" For three people with about zero interest in aircraft and wars, we spent 4 hours and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The 4 hangars are divided into the following galleries: Early Aviation/WWI/WW2, Korean/Vietnam Wars, Cold War, Presidential/Space/R&D. There are 9 aircraft which you can walk through and a number of hands on activities. Here are some photos from the day:
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| For some reason, the first gallery had lot of these creepy mannequin scenes. |
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| A very touching Holocaust exhibit was included in the WW2 gallery. Here is a concentration camp uniform only worn a few days before the prisoner was liberated. |
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| Pin-ups painted on WW2 aircraft were common. This one made me laugh. |
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| A space food display. |
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| Missile Gallery |
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| We really enjoyed the space gallery. |
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| I appreciated the detailed signage, even though it would have taken me a month to read each and every display. |
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| A flying saucer in the research and development gallery. Epic fail! |
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| My favorite was getting to climb aboard and walk through the Air Force One plane that flew eight presidents (Kennedy through Clinton). Everything was sealed with plexiglass, so it was a very narrow space that we had to walk. This was the same plane that carried JFK's coffin and where LBJ was sworn in. |
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| This was not the real thing, but a training module for astronauts. |
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| Nighthawk from Desert Storm. |
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| There was a small display of bomber wings. I found the cartoons disturbing, but when I showed my son the pictures, he thought it was hilarious. |
That looks like a seriously interesting place to visit. So much to see.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe how interesting it really was!
DeleteVery cool! I would thoroughly enjoy that. And Dayton, of course, will forever hold a soft spot in my heart.
ReplyDeleteLove the flying saucer on display!
I bet you'll find your way back to Dayton one of these days. The museum is a must! I still can't believe how it's not more popular as a state attraction.
DeleteI'm a lot closer now, so I'm sure you're right!
Deletehaha the flying saucer looks a bit decrepit. The food makes me gag just looking at it, blah. Nothing wrong with the cartoon dude, just may love his ride a little too much.
ReplyDeleteThe food reminded me of the Marvin the Martian cartoon where he poured water on something and it grew.
DeleteI am a complete museum freak. I've been thru the air/space section of Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry many times, plus the Space Center in Florida. I'd love to catch the Smithsonian Air & Space, but this takes a back seat to none. And it's free, you say? Y'know, Dayton is only about 4 hours from us. . .
ReplyDeleteYou would love this! Can you believe it's free? Our tax dollars really are at work! And hey, that's only an hour further than it was for us. Totally worth the trip.
DeleteInteresting and you can't beet the admission price.
ReplyDeleteRare to get free admission these days!
DeleteFANTASTIC photographs! Even though I have never had an interest in aircraft, like you, I think I would have REALLY enjoyed this museum because I DO have a huge interest in WW2 and that whole time period. WOW...seeing that holocaust uniform in the case would have given me chills. I was in a production of The Diary of Anne Frank back when I was still doing theater, so anything associated with the concentration camps still hits my heart very deeply.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the pin-ups on the side of the planes. The artist, Alberto Vargas, used to paint those on the sides of the planes back in that time.
My favorite would have been to climb on board the Air Force One plan as well. As you know, I have such a fascination with the whole Kennedy era and everything that Jacqueline Kennedy went through on the day (and day's after) her husband was assassinated.
GREAT post! And thanks for sharing it!
Oh Ron, the Holocaust exhibit brought me to tears. Especially the violin: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196819/the-violin/
DeleteIsn't that a heart wrenching story? While we were there, they had a special display of the Memphis Belle pin-ups. I wasn't familiar with it, but I guess it was the most well-known? It was based on the pilot's fiance, though they never married. She's still alive, which was interesting. Glad you enjoyed my post!
Nifty, I'm beginning to wish that I was able to join Queenie and Sensible on their drive to Colorado at the end of the month. This and a few other intriguing possibilities have popped up recently. SIGH, I need vacation. Or retirement!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Now to find out who the Strawberry Bitch is .... ;-)
Not sure I could handle a drive to Colorado and I'm probably 6 hours closer than you. I learned who the Memphis Belle was but I must have skipped the sign about that bitch! Lol
DeleteAdd the in-laws, THEN try the drive ;-)
DeleteAt least I get to work from home most of the time they're gone.
The astronaut food looks totally disgusting!
ReplyDeleteKnowing what happened to those who wore them, the concentration camp uniform is rather creepy.
I'd like to have a look inside Air Force One. I bet it's really luxurious.
There's a Royal Air Force Museum in London, but although I lived in London for 53 years, I never went to it!
Fortunately, the person that wore the uniform survived, that's why it looks new. He was only there a few days before liberation.
DeleteAir Force One was surprisingly not luxurious, at least for today. Since it was first used in JFK's presidency, everything looked to be from the 1960's. There was even a typewriter on a table inside. I'm sure the one being used today is very modern and nice.
Looked like a great place to visit! I would have enjoyed it myself! I look forward to your post about your stay in Indianapolis as far as what you did there, etc.
ReplyDeletebetty
We found a lot of fun things to do, exploring a new city.
DeleteI find almost any museum interesting, even when it's about a topic I'm not particularly interesting. I'd really like the space part - remember when all the space foods became popular snacks?
ReplyDeleteI find both the bomber wing art and the use of pinups on fighter jets disturbing. Killing people may be a horrifying necessity, but it shouldn't be sexy or funny.
Yes, I remember my mom buying Space Sticks, which were just glorified Tootsie Rolls.
DeleteThe pin-ups certainly seem obnoxious today, but the history behind their purpose (encouragement, identity as a crew, and the fact that some were based on wives and sweethearts) at least helped explain it a bit. And I hate dark comedy/gallows humor, so yeah, those cartoons on bombers were not funny to me, at all. Creeped me out.
That looks like an incredible museum. If you ever make it down to Savannah, you'll have to check out the Mighty 8th museum (the 8th Army Air Corp was the bombing force in Europe during WW2).
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
I would love to visit Savannah sometime, esp. in the winter!
DeleteThat museum looks awesome. I think I'm adding it to the list of places I want to go now. Thanks for sharing it, and all of the great pictures.
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteGreat photos, Bijoux! I love discovering places like these. Next time I'm in Ohio, I'll check it out!
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