Got out of town for a few days, and got to travel by air to Dayton, Ohio to visit with my girlfriend for a few days. It was a remarkable visit. That is a fun area with a lot of things to see. Course those of you who know me know I love aviation and this museum located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a national treasure. It has an amazing collection of air and spacecraft which includes the B-36 at left here. One of the biggest bombers I have ever seen in fact, and it is just one of the over 360 aviation items to be seen in the museum.
The museum has aircraft from all periods. I have to say I think that if the Air Force flew it, looked into researching it, or thought of buying it, it can be found at the museum. Some of the amazing planes include the B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber which is seen at the left. The WW1 collection is also amazing as are some of the early aircraft between the WW1/WW2 period.
There are in addition to the planes, many items worn or owned by pilots. The plane that dropped the second atomic bomb is also on display as well as replicas of the first two atomic bombs.
Many research planes can be found there. In this photo there is the XB-70 (which is the only one left), an X-15 and the Command module "Endeavour" from the Apollo 15 moon mission are just some of the items in this photo at left.
The museum is open from 9am-5pm almost daily and the admission and parking cost are free. I have been to many aviation museums and have to say this is one of the best, if not the best that I have had the pleasure to tour. If you are ever in the Dayton, Ohio area and have the time be sure to make a stop here during your visit.
