Our destination: The National Museum of the United States Air Force. It was to be our most ambitious staycation of the season, nearly 70 miles from home. The mini-backpack was prepped, the car gassed up, coffee purchased, and we were on our way!
The first gallery in the museum contains aircraft and artifacts from the earliest days of manned (and unmanned) flight. Every step of man's journey into the sky is laid out, from Orville and Wilbur Wright up to the beginnings of military flight. Some of the more interesting items were wooden wind-tunnels used to test new designs for aircraft, early bi-planes (Sopwith Camel!) and early military "aerial torpedoes."
Moving on, we saw planes and artifacts of the second world war. The classics of the Army Air Corps were all there... P51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire, Lockheed P38 Lightning... the list goes on. It was absolutely astounding to see first-hand the war machines that dominated the skies of Europe and the Pacific theater. On the other side of the trenches, there were many Axis planes present as well, like the Mitsubishi Zero, Messerschmidt ME-262 and even V-2 "Buzz Bombs" and V1 rockets used in the firebombing of London.
Far and away, though, the most impressive aircraft in the gallery was Bockscar, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber. Without knowing its place in history, many would assume it to be another aluminum behemoth in a crowded hangar. But that simple view belies the awesome effect that this single aircraft had on the course of World War II. This beautiful machine, Bockscar, dropped the "Fat Man" atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.
Exiting the Air Power gallery... it was time for a break. We took a brief detour back to the entrance, and spent some time in the strangely antique cafeteria. Beware! They do not take credit cards. Bring cash! Also, get the cole slaw and tater tots... they're delicious.
After recharging our bellies and resting our tired tootsies, we went back out for round two. Next on the list of exhibits was the Modern Flight gallery, with the jet fighters and bombers of the Korean and Vietnam war eras. MiG fighters, huge bombers (B-52!), cargo planes and all kinds of awesome snazzy stuff.
All in all, the USAF museum is awesome fun. There is tons to see, from wood-and-canvas planes from the first days of powered flight all the way to the latest stealth fighters. Every kid or kid at heart will find something to marvel at.
Moving on, we saw planes and artifacts of the second world war. The classics of the Army Air Corps were all there... P51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire, Lockheed P38 Lightning... the list goes on. It was absolutely astounding to see first-hand the war machines that dominated the skies of Europe and the Pacific theater. On the other side of the trenches, there were many Axis planes present as well, like the Mitsubishi Zero, Messerschmidt ME-262 and even V-2 "Buzz Bombs" and V1 rockets used in the firebombing of London.
Far and away, though, the most impressive aircraft in the gallery was Bockscar, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber. Without knowing its place in history, many would assume it to be another aluminum behemoth in a crowded hangar. But that simple view belies the awesome effect that this single aircraft had on the course of World War II. This beautiful machine, Bockscar, dropped the "Fat Man" atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.
Exiting the Air Power gallery... it was time for a break. We took a brief detour back to the entrance, and spent some time in the strangely antique cafeteria. Beware! They do not take credit cards. Bring cash! Also, get the cole slaw and tater tots... they're delicious.After recharging our bellies and resting our tired tootsies, we went back out for round two. Next on the list of exhibits was the Modern Flight gallery, with the jet fighters and bombers of the Korean and Vietnam war eras. MiG fighters, huge bombers (B-52!), cargo planes and all kinds of awesome snazzy stuff.
All in all, the USAF museum is awesome fun. There is tons to see, from wood-and-canvas planes from the first days of powered flight all the way to the latest stealth fighters. Every kid or kid at heart will find something to marvel at.
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