We spent two nights at Wright-Patterson AFB, and I took so many photos at the museum, it needs two posts. The drive from McConnelsville was uneventful – finally! The spot at the fam camp was a pull-through, so set up was easy. The camp was mostly full: many transients like us, but there were a few that must be stationed here for a bit of time. They were prepped for winter.
We met our two neighbors from the first night. One was on their way to MN to visit family. The other was on their way to help cut Christmas trees somewhere (we didn’t get the place). They had just come from helping at a harvest festival in Michigan. It seemed like they went from place to place volunteering/working odd jobs. He was retired Navy. They also had a 14 year old pup – she was in the truck when I walked Cody in the morning. They were immediately drawn to him…a sure sign they’re good people. =)
Cody has found his way to the couch. I now get the glare demanding I move every night when he’s ready to take my place.
I worked in the morning until we headed over to the AF Museum. It’s official name is the National Museum of the US Air Force. That is the largest museum I’ve ever seen–maybe the Louvre could contend. I’d say indoor square footage, the NMUAF has the it beat. It has 4 huge hangar-type buildings full of airplanes. I walked my typical museum pace–about 2 miles and hour–and I didn’t get to everything in the 4 hours I spent there. Ben even had to quicken up his pace. Dad – you would need to spend a week here. There is so much information everywhere!
I’ve been to quite a few military museums with aircraft, but I realized while I was here that they have been mostly Navy or Marine Corps. I don’t know much about Air Force history. This museum seemed to be a repository of all information they’ve collected. It was chronological for the most part (they stuck a V-22 Osprey in the Cold War Era…it was placed into service in the 2000’s. My guess is they wanted to display it and didn’t have a better exhibit place for it). Here are some exhibits I found interesting.
First, I learned that the Wright brothers were from Ohio (another fact not completely true – Orville was born in Dayton; Wilbur was born in Indiana. I know because we passed his birthplace on the way to Amy’s. I’m sure he grew up in Dayton). I always assumed they grew up in North Carolina. So why the Outer Banks, so far from Dayton? They went to Kitty Hawk to get the wind conditions they needed: regular breezes and soft sandy landings. They owned a bicycle shop before they started designing and testing aircraft.
I was drawn to the wind tunnels they had displayed. The intricate woodwork was impressive. This one could generate winds up to 453 mph.
I loved the paint job on this plane, the Fokker D. VII. It was a German plane used in WWI and was extremely effective against the Allies. The Red Baron himself flew the prototype and recommended it be placed into production. This model represents the design of a specific plane flown by a squadron leader. Ignore my fingers in the shot – the lights are great for reading but horribly located for photos. It was the only shot I could get that showed the colors.
They had an interesting video interview with some of the workers who do the restoration, sheet metal repair, and painting work. I’m impressed with their work. There were so many colorful aircraft on display, and they replicated the designs of actual craft. You don’t see this variety anymore – they are all painted with the purpose of reducing visibility. That makes complete sense, just not as entertaining.
Go Wheeler! =) And yes, you see “Army” there in an Air Force museum. I mean, the Air Force didn’t exist in WWI and WWII, which begs the question how does an Air Force museum have exhibits for these eras? You’ll have to ask them. Sure, sure, these were all precursors to the development of the Air Force. Sorry, I digress…
This was a rotary wing kite used by Germans in WWII as an observation platform for submarines. It was towed with a steel cable by a surfaced sub by a steel cable A lookout kept contact with the sub via telephone. There were only 200 of these made, and this is one of a few left. And yes – they have so many aircraft, the ceiling is full too – 4 hangars worth!
They have the original Memphis Belle here.
The C-124 Globemaster behemoth. It reminds me of a C-130. It can carry 200 passengers or cargo like tanks and guns. It was used by the Air Force in Korea.
My favorite plane artwork! More to come next post.
Ben and Megan Travel the World 