National Museum of the USAF

We had a change of plans last night. After consideration, we decided that rather than have a meal that would be gone in hours, we should take the time to drive to Dayton, Ohio and visit the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The other day when I was researching our vacation, I discovered it.

Friday, after work, we packed up and drove to Columbus and got a room. Our intentions were to get up early this morning and get to the museum around 9 or 10. We did not even get up until around 9. Glenn still needed to shower and breakfast of course so we did not get there until around noon.

Cameron jumping on the bed at the hotel.

Our first stop was at the IMAX theater to see their schedule. I believe they had 4 different movies playing. I figured Cameron would want to see Fighter Pilots or Straight Up, Helicopters in Action. He chose the latter. We purchased our tickets and proceeded to tour the museum for a few hours until the movie. The tickets were reasonably priced. $6.50 for adults and $4.75 for students.

Cameron and I after the IMAX show.

The museum is well laid out in airplane hangers. First, the Early Years. This section highlighted the early years of all aviation, including balloons and dirigibles through WWI. We discovered after an hour in this small section that if we continued to stop and look at all the displays and narratives available, we would never get out. We decided to more or less walk through and stop at only the most interesting things to us. Of course, everything was interesting! As you leave the Early Years you pass through the Holocaust Memorial. I still can't believe how much this small exhibit moved me to tears.

Cameron and I learning about the Langley Propeller

I took the time to sit Cameron down and give him a quick overview of what the Holocaust was and how Hitler wanted to wipe out the entire Jewish race.

As you move forward, you pass into the Air Power Gallery. This contains the WWII memorabilia and aircraft. I never quite understood how many different aircraft types there were in the USAF. A very interesting exhibit to us was the Bockscar which dropped the bomb on Nagasaki three days after the Hiroshima bombing. The Nagasaki bombing actually forced the surrender of Japan. I did not know this until today.

Glenn and Cameron

The Bockscar that dropped the bomb on Nagasaki

Leaving the Air Power Gallery you turn left down a hallway to pass to the Modern Flight Gallery. We passed the Hall of Fame, but we did not have time to stop in. Next visit it's a MUST SEE! One thing I found interesting was that not only were aircraft on display, but also uniforms, medals and other artifacts relating to the personnel and the aircraft. A large covering of the lower left wing on Orville Wright's plane was on display as well as socks with bullet holes worn by a USAF pilot.

We moved through an exhibit of the Berlin Air Lift into the Modern Air Gallery. Modern Air represents Vietnam and Korea. Part of the B-29 that delivered 2,500,000 pounds of bombs over Korea was on display and you can walk through it. The IMAX simulator ride is in the Modern Air Gallery. The simulator ride was reasonably priced also. I paid $7.00 total for Cam and I to ride. It simulated a ride in a F-117 Stealth Bomber.

Cameron and Glenn in the F-117 cockpit

Cameron and I in front of the IMAX Morphis ride

As you leave the Modern Air Gallery you enter the Cold War Gallery. The name is misleading as it actually displays equipment through the Cold War until present. In a far corner, there are two hands on exhibits, cockpits of F-16 and F-117's that you can sit in. We did not get to see this entire section, nor the Space and Missile Gallery as the museum closed at 5.

Next time, we plan to get to the museum right at 9 so that we can sign up for the Presidential tour, which includes a tour of President Kennedy's Air Force One, along with the exhibits we missed.

The museum is really a full weekend event. Fortunately, it is completely free unless you want to experience the IMAX events. There is a cafe upstairs so you can stop and eat if you choose. It's typical fare. Not that great, but it will hold you over until you leave.

Glenn and I were not sure that we would enjoy the museum as we are not quite the military aircraft buffs that Cameron is. Yet, we had a wonderful time and wished we had more time. There is a huge gift ship between the lobby and the first exhibit. Cameron got a model to hang in his room, a Chinauk toy helicopter and a poster.

Cameron says it was the best day of his life. All in all, it was a great family day. If anyone plans to visit the south central Ohio area, I highly recommend stopping in to the museum.