Trip to the National Museum of the US Air Force

[Geedee]

Beaut set of shots mate !. Brings back memories of my visit there with Tony back 2007.

It is without doubt, a World Class museum.....it absolutely has to be on you bucket list (if it isn't, then you dont like 'planes and you shouldn't be reading this

 

[Airframes]

Great stuff Glenn, and good of you to get some interior shots.

 

[T Bolt]

Moving on to the Restoration Hanger is another B-17. Every one knows the "Memphis Belle"

 

[T Bolt]

Yet another B-17

The Swoose is the oldest B-17 in existence, and the only B-17D left
It has a very interesting history which can be read here Factsheets : Boeing B-17D "The Swoose"

Some of the highlights: It was in the Philippines before Pearl harbor and fought the Japanese there becoming severely damaged and repaired in Australia with the tail section of another B-17 hence the name Swoose, 1/2 swan and 1/2 goose.
It later became a high-speed armed transport for Lt. Gen. George Brett, and the pilot was the father of actress Swoosie Kurtz, who was named after the aircraft.

 

[michaelmaltby]

Wow ....

MM

 

[Gnomey]

Good stuff Glenn! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Airframes]

Great info and pics Glenn. Really pleased that the 'real' "Belle" is being properly restored - too many years being on display in Memphis, and then almost decaying.Good to see some proper preservation going on.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Just worked my way through the thread Glenn and what brilliant pictures. My thanks mate.

 

[T Bolt]

I'll come back to the Restoration Hanger later, but now I'll start with the Cold War Hanger and Modern Hanger

 

[T Bolt]

Another Twin Mustang

 

[T Bolt]

The first in the family of Lockheed early jets, a few of the P-80 Shooting Stars were in Italy under combat conditions before the war ended, and went on to fight in Korea. This particular Aircraft is a Korean war veteran.

 

[T Bolt]

The T-33 was a widely used trainer version of the P-80/F-80 made by lengthening the fuselage of the fighter version and adding a second cockpit.
Due to lighting condition it was real hard to get a decent picture of this one, and only one shot I took turned out marginally well.

 

[T Bolt]

The next of the early Lockheed jets developed from the P-80 was the F-94 Starfire. The F-94A and B were similar in appearance, developed directly from the T-33 trainer and also used in Korea. It was a two seat all weather fighter with afterburner and radar and in my opinion the coolest looking of the Lockheed straight winged jets, seeming to just ooze power with that over-sized tail section.

 

[mudpuppy]

Excellent series of photos and it is great of you to take the time and post them all here...Thanks!
Derek

 

[T Bolt]

A further development of the F-94B, it was originally designated the F-97A, but was changed to F-94C. It had a more powerful engine and changes to the horizontal stabilizer, but the biggest change was to the nose where 24 rockets were added in a ring around the radome concealed behind doors, changing the elegant profile of the F-94A to something rather ugly.

 

[Messy1]

Great pics Glen! Really appreciate you taking the time to post them and go through the trouble of adding your notes! Can't wait to go there someday!

 

[DBII]

I went to Dayton with my father 5 years ago. It was a trip we planed for 30 years. Good times. I would love to go again but my father is no up to any long trips. Thanks for the pictures.

DBII

 

[Gnomey]

Nice shots Glenn!

 

[T Bolt]

Great pics Glen! Really appreciate you taking the time to post them and go through the trouble of adding your notes! Can't wait to go there someday!

Go for it. It makes a great 3 day weekend.

I went to Dayton with my father 5 years ago. It was a trip we planed for 30 years. Good times. I would love to go again but my father is no up to any long trips. Thanks for the pictures.DBII

I went there with my dad back in the mid 1990s and took a picture of him in front of the bomber type he flew in during the war.

 

[rochie]

nice shots Glenn, i recognise the starfire with the rockets in the nose but didn't realise there was a gun armed earlier version