gmv@petfe.UUCP (George Verbosh) (11/10/84)
<This space for rent>
Last week I visited the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, near
Dayton OH. Although not quite as slick as the Smithsonian's Air and
Space Museum, they have a wealth of interesting aircraft, engines, and
models. They also have a neat bookstore too. (If I sound like a 12-year
old it's because I never really grew-up when it comes to aviation :-)).
Because of time limitations I did not get to see much (this was really
a business trip) but, spurred on by recent memories of the B36
discussions in this group, I made time to see the B36. This is
a BIG mama! I got to walk all around it and even ducked under it
and walked along the open bomb bay, with my head inside. Gives one
an interesting perspective on the plane's structure and operation.
No access to the flight deck or other internal areas.
Next to the B36 is a (I forget the number) Gobelin, the little fighter
designed to be carried within the B36's bomb bay. Flying this plane
would make me nervous since it has NO landing gear.
The museum also has:
B17 B24 B47 B52 KC50(B50) XB70
YF12A B58 C121 C124 F102 F100 Me262
Me109 Me190 And more than I can remember.
They also have Bock's car, the B29 that dropped the 2nd atomic bomb
(a dubious honor, but a historical fact).
Like I said up front, not as slick as the Smithsonian, but this is my
kind of museum because you get up close and personal with the exhibits.
Most of them allow you to walk right up to the landing gear and look
inside the wheel wells. They are close enough to TOUCH, but the museum
prefers that you don't. If you like to build scale models, this place
is an amazing source of information.
BTW - the XB70 sit out in front of the museum. Although this was a VERY
expensive aircraft, it is still quit lovely to look at (impressive actually
((VERY impressive standing under the cockpit looking aft))).
That's enough for now. If there is enough interest from the net, I'll
pay more attention on my next trip (I'll take notes) and report on
some 'interesting' but not well known facts (like the 'Mighty Mouse'
rockets used on the F102 - unguided, short range air-to-air defense).
--
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-- George M. Verbosh
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