Although this is from 2012, I haven't posted the video until now. I thought it would be good to share on this, the 71st anniversary of the infamous raid over Tokyo.
Showing posts with label USAF Museum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USAF Museum. Show all posts
Thursday, April 18, 2013
71st anniversary of the Doolittle Raid
I shot this video last year, on the 70th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. That afternoon, twenty-two B-25s flew to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and performed a mass flyover to commemorate the event. Four of the five living Raiders (at the time) were in attendance. Sadly, Maj. Thomas C. Griffin passed away this past February.
Although this is from 2012, I haven't posted the video until now. I thought it would be good to share on this, the 71st anniversary of the infamous raid over Tokyo.
Although this is from 2012, I haven't posted the video until now. I thought it would be good to share on this, the 71st anniversary of the infamous raid over Tokyo.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Watching the Super Guppy land at the USAF Museum
Today was a rather interesting day for those of us in the Dayton, Ohio area. Although the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force was not selected to receive an actual Space Shuttle - still a rather sore subject around here - we were selected to receive another piece of Shuttle history, the Crew Compartment Trainer (CCT). For most of the life of the Shuttle program, the CCT was housed at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Once the trainer was ready for transport it was time to move it to Ohio. It's not a tiny piece of equipment, weighing in at around 11 tons. So that meant it would have to make the trip on a rather unique aircraft - NASA's B-377-SGT Super Guppy.
It's not every day that you get to see airplanes land at the USAF Museum. The museum sits on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's Area B. A closed runway is adjacent to the museum's hangars; it was a hotbed for military flying for years but today is only used for special events and deliveries to the museum. I took a half-day vacation and headed over this afternoon in time to grab a spot as close to the runway as I could.
The airplane made one pass overhead and then set up a wide pattern for landing. It crossed low over Harshman Road, located at the end of the runway, and touched town less then 1,000 feet down the 7,000 foot runway. Quite an impressive short-field approach! It was a very cool sight to see and I'm glad I had the chance to witness it in person. Hope you enjoy some of the photos I was able to capture below...
Be sure to check out the CCT the next time you visit the museum. It's already on display and the full, permanent display is scheduled for completion later next year! As always, just a reminder that you can access any of my posts about the museum by clicking on the USAF Museum tag in the navigation bar to the right or at the bottom of the posts.
Once the trainer was ready for transport it was time to move it to Ohio. It's not a tiny piece of equipment, weighing in at around 11 tons. So that meant it would have to make the trip on a rather unique aircraft - NASA's B-377-SGT Super Guppy.
It's not every day that you get to see airplanes land at the USAF Museum. The museum sits on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's Area B. A closed runway is adjacent to the museum's hangars; it was a hotbed for military flying for years but today is only used for special events and deliveries to the museum. I took a half-day vacation and headed over this afternoon in time to grab a spot as close to the runway as I could.
I caught the very end of the Super Guppy's approach and landing on video
The airplane made one pass overhead and then set up a wide pattern for landing. It crossed low over Harshman Road, located at the end of the runway, and touched town less then 1,000 feet down the 7,000 foot runway. Quite an impressive short-field approach! It was a very cool sight to see and I'm glad I had the chance to witness it in person. Hope you enjoy some of the photos I was able to capture below...
Be sure to check out the CCT the next time you visit the museum. It's already on display and the full, permanent display is scheduled for completion later next year! As always, just a reminder that you can access any of my posts about the museum by clicking on the USAF Museum tag in the navigation bar to the right or at the bottom of the posts.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
USAF Museum Series: Part 14
After spending a while in the new Korean War gallery last month I ventured into the Cold War and Missile & Space galleries. Since my last visit, the museum has also put another missile and a satellite replica on display. I always have enjoyed this part of the museum due to the wonderful layout and lighting. Aside from being a great place for photography, it's just a sheer joy to walk around the hangar.
As always, just a reminder that you can access any of the posts in this series by clicking on the USAF Museum tag in the navigation bar to the right or at the bottom of the posts.
ICBMs tower overhead in the Missile & Space Gallery
Northrop Grumman Defense Support Program Satellite
The DSP satellite is a new addition to the gallery
East half of the Cold War Gallery
West half of the Cold War Gallery
As always, just a reminder that you can access any of the posts in this series by clicking on the USAF Museum tag in the navigation bar to the right or at the bottom of the posts.
Friday, June 10, 2011
USAF Museum Series: Part 13
As part of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War last year, the USAF Museum completely renovated and re-designed that gallery. It is located in the second (middle) hangar, which previously was a rather bright space. They painted the entire interior a darker gray and switched to the more theatrical lighting that is in use in the museum's other two hangars.
The result is another spectacular update to what is already an incredible museum. While I didn't have a chance to read the text on most of the new displays, it's clear that much work and effort went into the renovation. They also added a section honoring Medal of Honor recipients from the war with some absolutely stunning tales of valor and courage. I did my best to capture the new Korean War Gallery with my camera - I hope you enjoy the results!
As always, just a reminder that you can access any of the posts in this series by clicking on the USAF Museum tag in the navigation bar to the right or at the bottom of the posts.
The result is another spectacular update to what is already an incredible museum. While I didn't have a chance to read the text on most of the new displays, it's clear that much work and effort went into the renovation. They also added a section honoring Medal of Honor recipients from the war with some absolutely stunning tales of valor and courage. I did my best to capture the new Korean War Gallery with my camera - I hope you enjoy the results!
The entrance to the newly-renovated Korean War Gallery
Douglas C-124 Globemaster II and a Sikorsky YH-5A Dragonfly
Overlooking approximately 1/4 of the gallery
My grandpa actually drove a Jeep during the Korean War
A view of the Thunderjet from a different perspective
Rear angle of the C-124 Globemaster II - it's a big airplane!
As always, just a reminder that you can access any of the posts in this series by clicking on the USAF Museum tag in the navigation bar to the right or at the bottom of the posts.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
USAF Museum Series: Part 12
I thought it would be best to separate these photos from the ones I posted the other day. Yes, they're all from the same visit to the Restoration Hangars at the USAF Museum. However, these two aircraft are so special that I believe they deserve their own post.
The Swoose is the only B-17D remaining in existence. It flew in the Pacific theatre during WWII and provided personal transport for General George Brett. The museum acquired it in a swap with the Air & Space Museum a few years ago and will send them their current B-17G "Shoo Shoo Baby" when the Swoose's restoration is complete.
Do I even need to explain the significance of the other B-17 under restoration, the Memphis Belle? It's easily one of the most famous airplanes in aviation history. You've probably seen the movie and know the aircraft's history. It flew 25 combat missions over Europe with the 91st Bomb Group during WWII. Needless to say, it was incredible to stand next to this historic aircraft, to look inside, and to see the restoration in progress.
As always, just a reminder that you can access any of the posts in this series by clicking on the USAF Museum tag in the navigation bar to the right or at the bottom of the posts.
The Swoose is the only B-17D remaining in existence. It flew in the Pacific theatre during WWII and provided personal transport for General George Brett. The museum acquired it in a swap with the Air & Space Museum a few years ago and will send them their current B-17G "Shoo Shoo Baby" when the Swoose's restoration is complete.
Do I even need to explain the significance of the other B-17 under restoration, the Memphis Belle? It's easily one of the most famous airplanes in aviation history. You've probably seen the movie and know the aircraft's history. It flew 25 combat missions over Europe with the 91st Bomb Group during WWII. Needless to say, it was incredible to stand next to this historic aircraft, to look inside, and to see the restoration in progress.
Replica gas caps being fabricated for the B-17s
Faded artwork on The Swoose
Replica lamp housings for the B-17 cockpits
The Memphis Belle
Names carved into the Belle's fuselage from when she was parked outside in TN
The Belle's wings
Wing root and engine mount
A collection of Wright R-1820 engines
Looking into the Belle through the open nose
The infamous Norden Bomb Sight
Lots of restoration remains but I can't wait until she's on display!
As always, just a reminder that you can access any of the posts in this series by clicking on the USAF Museum tag in the navigation bar to the right or at the bottom of the posts.
Friday, May 13, 2011
USAF Museum Series: Part 11
Late last month, before we went up and had some fun in the Cub, my friend Rob and I spent the afternoon at the USAF Museum. We had the opportunity to see something new, the Restoration Hangars. They are located on the active base and you have to sign up in advance for the guided tours.
Tour participants meet in the auditorium in the main museum, then take a bus over to the Restoration Hangars. There you split into small groups of no more than 6-8 people and spend a couple hours with your own guide. As with all the other exhibits at the museum, it's completely free - although I'd pay decent money for such a quality tour!
We're both glad we finally had the time because the tour was wonderful. The museum has a paid and volunteer staff of incredibly skilled people constantly at work restoring various airplanes. Right now they have some very famous aircraft over there - including the B-17 Memphis Belle, which you will see in the next post in this series.
As always, just a reminder that you can access any of the posts in this series by clicking on the USAF Museum tag in the navigation bar to the right or at the bottom of the posts.
Tour participants meet in the auditorium in the main museum, then take a bus over to the Restoration Hangars. There you split into small groups of no more than 6-8 people and spend a couple hours with your own guide. As with all the other exhibits at the museum, it's completely free - although I'd pay decent money for such a quality tour!
We're both glad we finally had the time because the tour was wonderful. The museum has a paid and volunteer staff of incredibly skilled people constantly at work restoring various airplanes. Right now they have some very famous aircraft over there - including the B-17 Memphis Belle, which you will see in the next post in this series.
New metal wing ribs and the wooden forms used to build them
Helicopter inside the main hangar
Part of the machine shop
Sperry ball turrets - one for a B-17, the other for a B-24
Looking inside a ball turret - can you imagine 6+ hours in there?
Building a replica rudder for a Curtiss A-25A Shrike
A-25A Shrike replica rudder spar - just incredible workmanship
A novel use for used mattresses!
MiG-21 under restoration
This MiG-23 is waiting patiently for its turn under the rivet gun
This MiG-25 was found buried under the sand in Iraq!
Sukhoi SU-22M4, a re-branded SU-17 that was exported to Middle Eastern nations
The museum got a shuttle! (sarcasm - I'm still bitter about this)
As always, just a reminder that you can access any of the posts in this series by clicking on the USAF Museum tag in the navigation bar to the right or at the bottom of the posts.
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