Aircraft Museums
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Champlin Fighter Museum in Mesa Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: North Wales / Ontario
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Champlin collection
The Champlin collection is going to the Museum of Flight in Seattle when they finish building their extension.
Time to spare. Go by air.
HD
Time to spare. Go by air.
HD
If you get to California, an interesting collection of aircraft at:
http://www.elite.net/castle-air/
http://www.elite.net/castle-air/
smartman
I think the Wangaratta Museum's been sold off by the local council.
The Australian War Memorial in Canberra is worth a look and I quite like the Bull Creek Museum in WA (they once let me sit in their Spitfire
).
But if you want to get up close and personal with a B-52, you'll have to come to Darwin
.
I think the Wangaratta Museum's been sold off by the local council.
The Australian War Memorial in Canberra is worth a look and I quite like the Bull Creek Museum in WA (they once let me sit in their Spitfire
).But if you want to get up close and personal with a B-52, you'll have to come to Darwin
.
Join Date: Oct 1999
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Yeah, Castle rocks. Even has a Vulcan to add some international flavour.
March AFB at Riverside also has a large spread of outdoor parked goodies.
Museum of Flight in Seattle is also high on the list.
But at the very top, HAS to be Smithsonian Air & Space in DC.
March AFB at Riverside also has a large spread of outdoor parked goodies.
Museum of Flight in Seattle is also high on the list.
But at the very top, HAS to be Smithsonian Air & Space in DC.
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It's got to be NAS Pensacola, witghout a doubt.
Its a long way (NE Florida) but IMHO it is the best aircraft museum in the world!
If you plan on going, then allow at least 2 days to look around it - there is that much to see and take in.
Don't miss it
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
Its a long way (NE Florida) but IMHO it is the best aircraft museum in the world!
If you plan on going, then allow at least 2 days to look around it - there is that much to see and take in.
Don't miss it
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
"Trust Me"
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Another vote for Kermit Weekes 'Fantasy of Flight'. The staff were FANTASTIC and so full of enthusiasm, comes from the top -met KW while we were walking around -really friendly guy and only too happy to talk -but I must say his taste in Hawaiian shirt leaves a lot to be desired!! ;-) The buildings are neat -repro 1930's. Had a great tour backstage and around the restoration workshops. Very, very hot day, but they brought an urn of cold water on a trolley and cups for us -nice touch. Good food in the restuarant and again, really friendly staff.
Saw the Storch fly, not backwards, but close to it. Apparently when Kermit brought it in, he didn't land on the runway but on the apron in front of the hangar. The pilot of the day was the team leader for the US team when 'Scrapheap Challenge' built the flying machines (when the UK won!)
And another favourite is the RNZAF Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand. The hangers are in darkness, just the strobes and interior lights and a manikin with batsman's wands lit up. But as one walks around, infra-red sensors trip and lights go on the exhibits in their various dioramas. A lot of museums could learn from this. It's not big, but quality high!
Popped in to Hendon yesterday. Bit static, but some superb exhibits that one can get close to.
I guess Duxford is also a fave, but the best bit is the OFMC hangers where the planes are being worked on.
DOC
Saw the Storch fly, not backwards, but close to it. Apparently when Kermit brought it in, he didn't land on the runway but on the apron in front of the hangar. The pilot of the day was the team leader for the US team when 'Scrapheap Challenge' built the flying machines (when the UK won!)
And another favourite is the RNZAF Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand. The hangers are in darkness, just the strobes and interior lights and a manikin with batsman's wands lit up. But as one walks around, infra-red sensors trip and lights go on the exhibits in their various dioramas. A lot of museums could learn from this. It's not big, but quality high!
Popped in to Hendon yesterday. Bit static, but some superb exhibits that one can get close to.
I guess Duxford is also a fave, but the best bit is the OFMC hangers where the planes are being worked on.
DOC
Join Date: Apr 2002
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If you're ever in Burgundy, the Chateau at Savigny-les-Beaune is definitely worth a visit - although be wary of the lunch break; unless it's changed since I went there, they close for the traditional two hours in the middle of the day!
Anyway, seventy-plus aeroplanes, 500 motorbikes (ALL indoors - how did they get them all up the stairs?!?!?) Abarth museum (Racing cars) Wine cellar and the Chateau grounds all in one place. Even Mrs.Nopax enjoyed it!
Anyway, seventy-plus aeroplanes, 500 motorbikes (ALL indoors - how did they get them all up the stairs?!?!?) Abarth museum (Racing cars) Wine cellar and the Chateau grounds all in one place. Even Mrs.Nopax enjoyed it!
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the replies, hopefully i will be able to visit some of your suggested museums.
Nopax, that sounds an interesting one, i do not think i have heard of that one.
Nopax, that sounds an interesting one, i do not think i have heard of that one.
Join Date: Jul 2003
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For those of you brave enough to visit the heart land of America, the SAC Museum just west of Omaha is worth while. B36, B47, B52, SR71, B58, TR1, even the Martin version of the Canberra, (B57?)and to keep it company a Vulcan! Much more, including many missiles, but I can't remember it all. They say it has one example of every aircraft that SAC flew. Everything inside in a new facility. For those into cold war stuff, it'll be memorable, even is Omaha isn't!.
W.B.
W.B.
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Arthur, some photos here...
http://www.paulnann.com/location/SavignylesBeaune.htm
Not my work I hasten to add!
and here's the Chateau's website;
http://www.chateau-savigny.com/
They do accommodation!
http://www.paulnann.com/location/SavignylesBeaune.htm
Not my work I hasten to add!
and here's the Chateau's website;
http://www.chateau-savigny.com/
They do accommodation!
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Don't know how good it still is or even if you can get in but there was a museum at Sandia Base in Albuquerque New Mexico with all kinds of atomic bombs (not the HE or fissionable stuff of course). Also a B-52 with weapons bays open and available for "up close and personal" look see.
The Swedish Air Force museum on the edge of the military airfield just west of Linkoping (about 200 km south of Stockholm) is well worth a visit. Some rare German and Italian aircraft from the '30s and 40's as well as the indiginous SAAB products. It is on the tourist maps of Linkoping but watch the opening hours.
Join Date: Jul 2001
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The EAA Museum in Oshkosh is the greatest aviation museum in the entire universe
www.airventuremuseum.org
www.airventuremuseum.org
Join Date: Jun 2003
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The USAF armaments museum at Eglin AFB in Florida is worth a visit. Outside they have an SR71, an AC130, a yankee doodle canberra (B57), and lots of other interesting 'mud moving' aircraft. Inside as might be expected, is everything from a WW1 Mills bomb to the latest JDAM, and other stuff deployed quite recently in the middle east. It also features an illuminating display on Vietnam MIAs
Interestingly, they have what from a distance appears to be a V1 Doodle bug suspended from the gallery. However, it is painted yellow with USAF stars on. The description plate states that it is in fact a pulse jet weapon built by the Ford Motor Company in 1941! I have been up close to a V1, and it is exactly the same bit of kit. Now either Uncle Sam is to blame for selling the technology/weapon to the Germans and allowing them to terrorise the South of England, or this is extreme wishful thinking on the part of our American cousins.
That aside, this is a cracking showpiece of American Hardware and well worth a visit if you should find yourself in the north west of Florida.
Interestingly, they have what from a distance appears to be a V1 Doodle bug suspended from the gallery. However, it is painted yellow with USAF stars on. The description plate states that it is in fact a pulse jet weapon built by the Ford Motor Company in 1941! I have been up close to a V1, and it is exactly the same bit of kit. Now either Uncle Sam is to blame for selling the technology/weapon to the Germans and allowing them to terrorise the South of England, or this is extreme wishful thinking on the part of our American cousins.
That aside, this is a cracking showpiece of American Hardware and well worth a visit if you should find yourself in the north west of Florida.
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Tangmere Aviation Museum, at (funnily enough) Tangmere village, near Chichester, UK.
A museum heavily into personal recollections and memorabilia related to the airfield, and the people and planes who were based there.
In more recent years it's expanded to display a small number of well presented airframes, both real and replica. Still retains that 'personal' feel though.
A museum heavily into personal recollections and memorabilia related to the airfield, and the people and planes who were based there.
In more recent years it's expanded to display a small number of well presented airframes, both real and replica. Still retains that 'personal' feel though.
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Zeppelins, ah!
I recently visited the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The town is located on the north shore of Lake Constance (the Bodensee), very close to the Swiss border.
The museum features a reconstruction of a section of the Hindenburg, including an airstair that you climb to enter a lounge, with access to the sleeping quarters. It's rather plain, but I guess that was how it was built to keep it light.
In another part of the reconstruction you can get a close look at the details of the way the structure was made, along with how the skin was attached. The amount of work that went into those ships was staggering.
Then there are exhibits covering the history of the development of the airship, a Maybach automobile (Maybach developed many of the engines for the various zeppelins), lots of mementoes of Count von Zeppelin and his many associates, such as Maybach, Dornier, Eckener, etc. There are various bits from scrapped airships, including some British ones, so that you can see the design evolution, to a limited extent.
In another section of the museum there is an art gallery with some interesting paintings and sculptures.
There is a fairly comprehensive section on the military uses of the airship, including some beautiful models.
There are audio guides available for non-German speaking visitors and many exhibits have bi-ligual captions. There is also a restaurant and a gift shop with some interesting books, toys and paper models.
It is also possible to book rides on the Zeppelin NT. I have no idea what that costs. As we were eating our lunch the very ship came by the windows of the restaurant! My wife couldn't believe what she was seeing. It appeared to be much bigger than that British design I used to see flying in Fuji colours over some parts of Germany in the summertime.
The town itself looks rather prosperous but some of the other nearby towns have much more Olde Worlde charm, if you go for that sort of thing...
I would rate it as definitely worth a trip if you have a lot of interest in airships.
Oddly enough, the rights to distribute Caterpillar equipment in Germany belong to the Zeppelin foundation. The two extremes in terms of weight, I suppose?
The museum features a reconstruction of a section of the Hindenburg, including an airstair that you climb to enter a lounge, with access to the sleeping quarters. It's rather plain, but I guess that was how it was built to keep it light.
In another part of the reconstruction you can get a close look at the details of the way the structure was made, along with how the skin was attached. The amount of work that went into those ships was staggering.
Then there are exhibits covering the history of the development of the airship, a Maybach automobile (Maybach developed many of the engines for the various zeppelins), lots of mementoes of Count von Zeppelin and his many associates, such as Maybach, Dornier, Eckener, etc. There are various bits from scrapped airships, including some British ones, so that you can see the design evolution, to a limited extent.
In another section of the museum there is an art gallery with some interesting paintings and sculptures.
There is a fairly comprehensive section on the military uses of the airship, including some beautiful models.
There are audio guides available for non-German speaking visitors and many exhibits have bi-ligual captions. There is also a restaurant and a gift shop with some interesting books, toys and paper models.
It is also possible to book rides on the Zeppelin NT. I have no idea what that costs. As we were eating our lunch the very ship came by the windows of the restaurant! My wife couldn't believe what she was seeing. It appeared to be much bigger than that British design I used to see flying in Fuji colours over some parts of Germany in the summertime.
The town itself looks rather prosperous but some of the other nearby towns have much more Olde Worlde charm, if you go for that sort of thing...
I would rate it as definitely worth a trip if you have a lot of interest in airships.
Oddly enough, the rights to distribute Caterpillar equipment in Germany belong to the Zeppelin foundation. The two extremes in terms of weight, I suppose?
Join Date: May 2001
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An aviation museum without any aircraft?
The Airways Museum, Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Australia, is well worth a visit. The Museum focuses on the ground-based airways infrastructure of aviation - air traffic control, navigation aids, airports.
Have a look at the website - www.airwaysmuseum.com There's much more of interest on this site too!
The Airways Museum, Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Australia, is well worth a visit. The Museum focuses on the ground-based airways infrastructure of aviation - air traffic control, navigation aids, airports.
Have a look at the website - www.airwaysmuseum.com There's much more of interest on this site too!
