Cody Coyote
May 17th, 2010, 15:55
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to visit the National Museum of the Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. This is a "must see" for any military aviation buff or CFS2 enthusiast. I was last there in 1959 when the aircraft were fewer but newer. Obviously much has changed. It is, in many respects, even better than the Smithsonian's air museums. The wealth of aircraft, exhibits, and artifacts is staggering. I was barely able to scratch the surface in my short visit and I plan to return next time and spend a couple of days.
For me the most impressive thing was to see some of the actual planes that fought in WWII. Salted among the replicas and repainted look-a-likes were a few of the original planes, such as the B-24 "Strawberry Bitch" or the B-17 "Shoo Shoo Baby". These were not repainted versions of the planes, but the actual bombers themselves that flew missions over Germany and Italy. Also on display is the real B-29 "Bockscar", the plane that dropped the A-Bomb on Nagasaki to end WWII. They even have the actual "Memphis Belle" which is currently undergoing restoration and will be put on display upon completion.
Snapshots can't do the planes justice and the subdued lighting in the museum halls doesn't help, but hopefully these few photos will give you a taste. If you haven't been to Wright Patt - go. If you have been, go again!
For me the most impressive thing was to see some of the actual planes that fought in WWII. Salted among the replicas and repainted look-a-likes were a few of the original planes, such as the B-24 "Strawberry Bitch" or the B-17 "Shoo Shoo Baby". These were not repainted versions of the planes, but the actual bombers themselves that flew missions over Germany and Italy. Also on display is the real B-29 "Bockscar", the plane that dropped the A-Bomb on Nagasaki to end WWII. They even have the actual "Memphis Belle" which is currently undergoing restoration and will be put on display upon completion.
Snapshots can't do the planes justice and the subdued lighting in the museum halls doesn't help, but hopefully these few photos will give you a taste. If you haven't been to Wright Patt - go. If you have been, go again!