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Old 05-06-2010, 07:16 PM
Speedo2 Speedo2 is offline
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Well now, the wife's down in FLA visiting her mom, there's no gun shows around here that I know of, my poker game has taken a turn for the worst and I'm in need of a break from it; so....I'm thinking of choogelin' on over to Dayton to visit the WPAFB & museum on Saturday or Sunday. Haven't been there in around 10-15 years and as I recall it was a pretty good one back then. Any other sights of interest, good gun shops, restaurants, "must see-ums", or things to avoid in that area? -S2

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Old 05-06-2010, 07:44 PM
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IF your passing through Columbus try and stop by Motts Military Museum. THey are in the net and it's private, so you'll have to check hours. You will not regret stopping if you can work it out.
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Old 05-06-2010, 08:39 PM
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My favorite plane at the museum is the B-58. My father was a navigator in one of these in the early to mid 60's. Look for it when you go.

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Old 05-06-2010, 09:00 PM
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Quote:
visit the WPAFB & museum on Saturday or Sunday
I don't think this is a Sat or Sun kind of trip. It is a Saturday and Sunday kind of trip. Get a hotel room, spend the night and visit both days.

The B58 is a gorgeous plane. The first I ever heard of it was when I was a young pup and one of them exploded and broke up in midair over my home town. I can remember the coverage in the newspaper.

bob
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Old 05-06-2010, 09:15 PM
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I don't think this is a Sat or Sun kind of trip. It is a Saturday and Sunday kind of trip. Get a hotel room, spend the night and visit both days.

The B58 is a gorgeous plane. The first I ever heard of it was when I was a young pup and one of them exploded and broke up in midair over my home town. I can remember the coverage in the newspaper.

bob
Where was this?
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Old 05-06-2010, 10:38 PM
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It is a 2 day trip at the very least. We were their 2 years ago and only spent 1 day and did not see half the displays. FYI my next door neighbor was the radioman on the one of the B-29's that are on display. He had a reunion and they were alound to enter the plane for 1 last time
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Old 05-07-2010, 12:17 AM
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Quote:
Where was this?
It was around Lawton, OK. It may have been on the way back to Carswell AFB, I know they flew B58's out of there.

bob
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Old 05-07-2010, 12:25 AM
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I lived out that way for a few years, and the Wright-Pat museum is a definite must-see; it's a great museum. You can get through a lot in one day, but if you tend to linger and read a lot, two days would be better.

They have a very impressive collection of not only military war planes from all eras, but also some cool space craft, and nice collection of Presidential aircraft that you can walk through...

Too many things to cite, but the SR71 Blackbird really made an impression, as well as some of the cool early jet fighters and bombers (like that awesome B-58 shown above...). Hope you enjoy the trip!
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Old 05-07-2010, 01:02 AM
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I don't know if it's on display yet but the B-17 "Memphis Belle" is at WP, having been reclaimed by the USAF. I got a private tour of her when she was being dismantled for shipping about two years ago. I remember going INTO the Memphis Belle as a kid (8-9 YO) when she was on static display at the TN Air National Guard Armory and finding spent 50 Cal steel shell casings under the floor and in between the skin and structural ribs (Dad had AF Connections). If she is on display please post some photo's as it's been 40 years since I was inside the old girl. Save your comments as I know it sounds obscene but it was a thrill for a young kid.

Have fun and thanks,

Class III
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Old 05-07-2010, 06:52 AM
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"choogelin", now there is a word that I have never heard before. Is that something like taking a train via Google. It is not in the Urban Dictionary, May 7: fat finger.

Enjoy the trip. Submit pics.
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Old 05-07-2010, 08:02 AM
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think again,
Circleville

link indicates circleville but this one is in columbus.
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Old 05-07-2010, 10:05 AM
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As a member of Motts Military Museum, Motts Military Museum, I highly recommend a visit. It's much different from many massive museums. I met Gen Tibbets there. The artifacts are more personal, i.e., uniforms, weapons, flags, kits, papers, battlefield finds, etc. It's a self tour and it begins at the civil war and progresses to today's military engagements. The civil war display is amazing, as well as the WWll and Vietnam memorabilia. The back lot has several military vehicles on display from a WWll landing craft, Vietnam tanks, aircraft and Iraqi war cannons. The AF museum in Dayton has changed for the better since your last visit. A must see are all the presidents airplanes, including Pres. Kennedy's plane with the altered tail section that contained his casket for transportation. If you can go on a friday, the 'behind the scene' tour is fabulous. That's were all the aircraft are refurbished for display, including the Memphis Bell, what a sight. Wear some good walking shoes and expect to spent a lot of time there.
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Old 05-07-2010, 03:43 PM
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We were up there last Friday and Saturday, and it is quite an experience! Stayed across the street at that hotel and was very pleased with that also.
Depending on your state of mind, it can be an emotional experience.
It was my third visit, and still didn't see it all. Next time I will.
Don't miss the replica control tower, to the left of the hangers,
at the outdoor exhibit area.
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Old 05-07-2010, 04:25 PM
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Quote:
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I don't know if it's on display yet but the B-17 "Memphis Belle" is at WP, having been reclaimed by the USAF. I got a private tour of her when she was being dismantled for shipping about two years ago. I remember going INTO the Memphis Belle as a kid (8-9 YO) when she was on static display at the TN Air National Guard Armory and finding spent 50 Cal steel shell casings under the floor and in between the skin and structural ribs (Dad had AF Connections). If she is on display please post some photo's as it's been 40 years since I was inside the old girl. Save your comments as I know it sounds obscene but it was a thrill for a young kid.

Have fun and thanks,

Class III
Not yet. When the museum got her they said it would take 10 yrs or so to restore. That was what? 3-4 yrs ago?

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Old 05-07-2010, 04:29 PM
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Great place to visit. We've gone down there every year since my boy was 6, he's now 16. Couldn't make this year though, lack of funds. Thing aren't going to well here in the sad state of Michigan. It was sort of a tradition to go there every year. Maybe my son will pass it on to his son. Lots of cool stuff to see, we always got there early so he could sit in the cockpits, they have two a F-16 and a F-4. They have added several hangers since the last time you were there and also have good size missile display there. I agree with the other guys, take two days to visit, there is a lot there. Be sure to take the camera, make sure the batteries are charged and the flash drive empty. You’ll have a great time. The café there isn’t to bad either, at least they don’t gouge you on the costs. Also, you might want become a member, it will save you on any books or models you buy there. One last thing, be sure to see Fighter Pilot in the I-Max Theater is one heck of a ride.

Snowdoggie
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Old 05-07-2010, 05:37 PM
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"choogelin", It's used in a CCR song, keep on choogelin!

I haven't been to WP since the '70's, so I'm sure it's changed alot, but as a teenage WWII aircraft buff, I was in heaven. It's always worth the trip to me, have fun...
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Old 05-07-2010, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Class III View Post
I don't know if it's on display yet but the B-17 "Memphis Belle" is at WP, having been reclaimed by the USAF. I got a private tour of her when she was being dismantled for shipping about two years ago. I remember going INTO the Memphis Belle as a kid (8-9 YO) when she was on static display at the TN Air National Guard Armory and finding spent 50 Cal steel shell casings under the floor and in between the skin and structural ribs (Dad had AF Connections). If she is on display please post some photo's as it's been 40 years since I was inside the old girl. Save your comments as I know it sounds obscene but it was a thrill for a young kid.

Have fun and thanks,

Class III
These days, I'm like a Japanese tourist with my camera. I will post some photos of it, C-III. Thanks for the encouragement, guys; I'd like to take 2 days, but some work duties will only allow for one. I intend to make the most of it. -S2
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Old 05-07-2010, 06:25 PM
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"choogelin", It's used in a CCR song, keep on choogelin!

I haven't been to WP since the '70's, so I'm sure it's changed alot, but as a teenage WWII aircraft buff, I was in heaven. It's always worth the trip to me, have fun...
Goes something like: "Wish I was on a slow freight train, choogelin' on down to New Orleans". CCR, I believe is correct. -S2
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Old 05-07-2010, 11:48 PM
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Before you go check out the website. Also when you get there look for the Bird of Prey plane. Get there early slowly walk through, Take your time and enjoy.
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Old 05-08-2010, 12:19 AM
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Just got back today from being there Thursday. 750ish miles each way.
Worth the trip, although it's not a picture taker's museum, everything's crowded in all sorts of ways and the lighting is dark in many places. Many unique pieces, and seeing some of the actual, specific aircraft that did something noteworthy is cool ( Bockscar anyone? Bendix trophy winning Hustler?)
It's a bit much though, after about five hours I was ready for the end, I only need to see so many variants of F86 Sabres in a day.
But at least I've seen the Valkyrie now.
Oh yeah, watch out for little school-heathens on field trips.
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Old 05-08-2010, 12:47 AM
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I was last there in the mid 80's. They have done a lot of work on it since that time. The place no longer allows sunlight in from what I have heard so a flash is a must.

bishopm14 is right about unique planes and specific planes, after all, where else have you seen a F107?

Maybe I need to do a long vacation with a trip to Camp Perry and then WPAFB.

bob
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Old 05-08-2010, 02:48 PM
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It's the ONLY place you'll ever see an XB-70 since there is only one left. Got to get back there someday.
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Old 05-08-2010, 04:50 PM
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If you go, look for the bright orange P-63 kingCobra hanging from the ceiling. They were used to train bomber gunners and were referred to as "Pin ball" airplanes because they had lights that flashed when hit by the frangible bullets the gunners used. The reason you should look for this plane is because my uncle flew it. He is still living and went to the museum a few years back and was astonished to see the very airplane he flew on a daily basis. He was hoping the museum had the flight logs as he would have been all over them, but alas they did not.

BR
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Old 05-10-2010, 05:54 PM
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Well, that was even better than I had recalled. You guys were right; 1 day was not enough and my feet are very sore. I guess it's been right around 20 years since I've been there; they've added 2 additional hangers full of new and incredible planes; and much of what used to be outside is now inside. I was really dumb and left my "good" camera at home and had to resort to my cell phone; so I'll apologize for the even worse than usual photo quality, but here are some highlights:
Regarding Memphis Bell; it's still under restoration. Tours are available on Fridays at noon. However, there was another Memphis Bell in the Vietnam-era area; an F105 "Thud" (didn't realize that almost half of these didn't make it back due to their missions and probably a bit to do with some performance issues):



The B58 "Hustler" has been moved inside:


Along with a few other modern contraptions:





But my heart was really with the old stuff:






The displays that really got to me were the ones with personal artifacts and some of the stories of true heroes. There must be about a dozen Medal of Honor recipients represented there. Amazing courage and sacrifice; it was very humbling:





This display is for the Doolittle Raiders. There's still about a half-dozen of them still around as evidenced by the number of cups that are still upright. The last two get to share the Hennesy:

Reading about them really choked me up.

And there's still a lot of interesting stuff left outside:

...for any Web Griffin fans, that's a Lockede C60 "Loadstar"

...and a bunch of other interesting and historical stuff.

Wayyy too much to see in 1 day. Great museum; highly recommended. -S2
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Old 05-10-2010, 06:04 PM
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One of my personal favorites (I flew in it). Displayed behind the B-36.
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Old 05-10-2010, 11:51 PM
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S2, thanks for the pix. That cell phone camera still made the old war birds look great.

Rags, I guess it has been about 3-4 years ago since the USAF reclaimed the "Belle". They had her in a hanger at Millington NSA (formerly NAS) being dismantled and about to be crated up for the trip to WP when I got the private tour. The major part of the problem with keeping her in MEM was the fact that she was on static display in an open air environment and was subjected to vandalism on at least two occasions that I am aware of. Another problem was a few (very few) members of the Memphis Belle Society wanted to return her to flying capabilities, a BIG NO NO in the eye's of the USAF and strickly verboten in the original sales contract Memphis and the USAF signed way back when.

S2, thanks again for the pictures. I guess I'll have to make another trip to WP the next time I have to fly to Cincinnati. Come to think of it I'm flying to CVG at the end of the month to pickup one of my nieces and her BF. They will just have to endure an extra 15 minute flight to MGY so I can get another looksee. After all, they are flying for free and don't have to worry about booking/paying for airline tickets.

Thanks again,

Class III
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Old 05-11-2010, 02:13 AM
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I went with two friends several years ago in late September and stayed almost a whole week. The best visits were during the week when we almost had the whole place to ourselves. We were able to have conversations with several of the volunteers and really had a great time. They had signs all over the place, telling visitors to not touch the planes; every now and then, we'd see an older guy with a glassy eyes lovingly fondling a plane. I did it myself and never saw anyone getting grief for doing it.

I highly recommend the visit. Catch the films also.
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Old 05-11-2010, 08:12 PM
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Best bet is do the online tour first and get a feel for what is there and what you will want to see. No sense spending a lot of time there reading what you can read online, when you can focus your time there seeing what you can not see online.
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Old 05-11-2010, 09:59 PM
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I lived about an hour away from the museum 1985 - 1990. I used to go over several times each year. Their lecture series was incredible. My last visit was about 12 years ago. Look into joining the museum. The Friends Journal is a quarterly publication of AF history, mostly first-hand accounts.

The B58 is a favorite of mine, too. I have several photos of it and the escape pod.

Is the Phantom II in your pictures Robin Old's plane? He was the best speaker I ever heard there.

Great place.
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Old 05-01-2015, 10:45 PM
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Great post guys. The W-P USAF Museum is on my Bucket List. I've been to the Museum of Naval Aviation in P-Cola and spent every afternoon of my 10+ days of TAD there.

I recently went back to the Swedish Air Force Museum in Linköping, Sweden Flygvapenmuseum - Flygvapenmuseum .

Linköping is to the Swedish Air Force what Dayton is to the USAF. Whenever I'm TAD to another base/service, I always yearn to see museums, whether they be floating or otherwise. Can never get too much history...

-CWO3/USMC
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Old 05-02-2015, 12:25 AM
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Work used to take me to WPAFB often and i went to the museum several times. I never tired of being there. I remember looking up at the ceiling and thinking one of the A/C units had an odd access door till it opened and a worker came out that put the size in perspective. The next time I go I hope to take a diary I came by, it belonged to an 8th AF navigator I plan to donate it.
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Old 05-02-2015, 09:06 AM
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I'm a retired USAF pilot and still look up when I hear an airplane overhead.

I need to make a trip up to Ohio to see this museum.

Edmo
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Old 05-02-2015, 01:23 PM
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I've never been there, but would like to. I understand there is a memorial to the B66 Bomber, the Cold War sentinel. I worked on them a couple years in early 60's when they were phased out. Don't hear much about them, but if anything would have happened in Soviet Union there were 50+ birds with nuclear ordnance ready to go located in England. RAF Sculthorpe and Lakenheath.
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Old 05-02-2015, 02:00 PM
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It is a special place. My brother and I are taking our four grandsons, ages 7 to 10, next month for a "guy day".

I want to show them the Ch-21 helicopter that my dad, as chief mechanic, rode in from Eglin AFB, Florida to WP in 1965.

Can't wait to see the look on the boy's faces when we turn them loose.
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Old 05-02-2015, 03:05 PM
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It is a wonderful museum ; a real treasure trove.

Make sure you see the XB-70 Valkyrie
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Old 05-02-2015, 04:28 PM
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If you like aircraft, the Wright Patterson museum is THE place to go.

Just last year we sent C17 tail number 00025 there. It was the first C17 to fly and I've flown on her many times. My name is signed on the escape shoot.

Be sure to go to the annexes. There is one dedicated to the X planes and one dedicated to the President's planes. Really great to see both of those.
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Old 05-03-2015, 12:32 AM
HOUSTON RICK HOUSTON RICK is offline
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Went there once a year when I was a kid in Cincinnati. Thanks for the pictures.
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Old 05-03-2015, 11:49 AM
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I built a couple of B58 Hustler models during my younger days. Until I read some books on it, I was unaware that the bombs were contained in the pod, that the fuselage was too narrow to contain a bomb bay.

We took two days to see the museum in the '80's. I was especially fond of the YF12A. You could get right up under the fuselage in those days. The surfaces of the aircraft seemed to lose their edges if you looked at it for any length of time. It's always been one of my favorite planes. I noticed that the YF12A is now in a different area of the museum.

We've been back several times, and really love the place.
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