Trip to the National Museum of the US Air Force

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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
 
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.

 
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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.
 
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.

 
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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.

 
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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.

 
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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.


 
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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!
 
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
 
Messy1 said:
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!
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Go for it. It makes a great 3 day weekend.


DBII said:
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
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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.

 
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