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|longitude = -84.108892
  
|longitude = -84.108892
 
|established = 1923
  
|established = 1923
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|location = [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]], <br />[[Dayton]], [[Ohio]]
 +
|location = [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]], <br />[[Dayton]], Ohio
 
|type = [[Aviation museum]]
  
|type = [[Aviation museum]]
 
|visitors = 1,000,000+<ref name=NMUSAFhistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=430 |title=History of the National Museum of the United States Air Force |work=National Museum of the United States Air Force official site |accessdate=2008-09-12 |month=June | year=2007}}</ref>
  
|visitors = 1,000,000+<ref name=NMUSAFhistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=430 |title=History of the National Museum of the United States Air Force |work=National Museum of the United States Air Force official site |accessdate=2008-09-12 |month=June | year=2007}}</ref>
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}}
  
}}
   
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[[File:Nmusafaerial.jpg|thumb||The museum]]
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[[File:Nmusafaerial.jpg|thumb|The museum]]
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The '''National Museum of the United States Air Force''' (formerly the '''United States Air Force Museum''') is the official museum of the [[United States Air Force]] located at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] {{convert|6|mi|km}} northeast of Dayton, [[Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/visit/directions.asp |title=Visitor info |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> The NMUSAF is the world's largest and oldest military [[aviation museum]]<ref>[http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/ Wright-Patterson Air Force Base&nbsp;– Museum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> with more than 360 aircraft and [[missiles]] on display.<ref name=NMUSAFhistory /> The museum draws over 1.3 million visitors each year making it one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Ohio.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whiotv.com/news/19099838/detail.html|title=Airfoce Museum Attendance|accessdate=2009-04-05}}</ref> Admission to the museum is free.
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The '''National Museum of the United States Air Force''' (formerly the '''United States Air Force Museum''') is the official museum of the [[United States Air Force]] located at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] {{convert|6|mi|km}} northeast of Dayton, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/visit/directions.asp |title=Visitor info |accessdate=23 November 2011}}</ref> The NMUSAF is the world's largest and oldest military [[aviation museum]]<ref>[http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/ Wright-Patterson Air Force Base&nbsp;– Museum]</ref> with more than 360 aircraft and [[missiles]] on display.<ref name=NMUSAFhistory /> The museum draws over 1.3 million visitors each year making it one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Ohio.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whiotv.com/news/19099838/detail.html|title=Airfoce Museum Attendance|accessdate=2009-04-05}}</ref> Admission to the museum is free.
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
 
The museum dates back to 1923 when the Engineering Division at Dayton's [[McCook Field]] first collected technical artifacts for preservation. In 1927 it moved to then-[[Wright Field]] and was housed in a succession of buildings. In 1954 as the Air Force Museum it was housed in its first permanent facility, Building 89 of the former Patterson Field in [[Fairborn]], which had been an engine overhaul hangar, and many of its aircraft were parked outside and exposed to the weather. It remained there until 1971 when the current facility was first opened. Not including its annex on Wright Field proper, the museum has more than tripled in square footage since its inception in 1971.<ref>Air Force Museum Foundation</ref>
  
The museum dates back to 1923 when the Engineering Division at Dayton's [[McCook Field]] first collected technical artifacts for preservation. In 1927 it moved to then-[[Wright Field]] and was housed in a succession of buildings. In 1954 as the Air Force Museum it was housed in its first permanent facility, Building 89 of the former Patterson Field in [[Fairborn]], which had been an engine overhaul hangar, and many of its aircraft were parked outside and exposed to the weather. It remained there until 1971 when the current facility was first opened. Not including its annex on Wright Field proper, the museum has more than tripled in square footage since its inception in 1971.<ref>Air Force Museum Foundation</ref>
   
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The museum announced a new name for the facility in October 2004. The former name "United States Air Force Museum" was changed to "National Museum of the United States Air Force".<ref name=NMUSAFhistory/>
 +
The museum announced a new name for the facility in October 2004. The former name "United States Air Force Museum" was changed to "National Museum of the United States Air Force".<ref name=NMUSAFhistory/>
   
 
The museum is a central component of the [[National Aviation Heritage Area]].<ref name=naha1>{{cite web|title=Home of the Wright Brothers|url=http://www.aviationheritagearea.org/|publisher=National Aviation Heritage Area|accessdate=16 March 2012}}</ref>
  
The museum is a central component of the [[National Aviation Heritage Area]].<ref name=naha1>{{cite web|title=Home of the Wright Brothers|url=http://www.aviationheritagearea.org/|publisher=National Aviation Heritage Area|accessdate=16 March 2012}}</ref>
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===Presidential aircraft===
  
===Presidential aircraft===
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The museum has several [[Air Force One|Presidential aircraft]], including those used by [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt|Franklin D. Roosevelt]], [[Harry Truman]], and [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]. The centerpiece of the Presidential aircraft collection is [[SAM 26000]], a modified [[Boeing 707]] used regularly by Presidents [[John F. Kennedy]] through [[Richard Nixon]] during his first term; after which it served as the backup Presidential aircraft. This was the aircraft that took [[John F. Kennedy|President]] and [[Jacqueline Kennedy|Mrs. Kennedy]] to Dallas on November 22, 1963—the day of the President's assassination. Vice President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] was sworn in as president aboard it shortly after the assassination; this aircraft then carried the slain President's body back to [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2009-11-20-jfkrelics20_ST_U.htm?csp=N009|title=JFK Relics Stir Strong Emotions|last=Keen|first=Judy |date=November 20, 2009|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=20 November 2009}}</ref> It was temporarily removed from display on December 5, 2009, to be repainted. It was placed back on display in the museum on President's Day, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123168955|title=Air Force One temporarily off display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force|date=September 22, 2009|publisher=National Museum of the US Air Force}}</ref> All presidential aircraft are now on display in their own Presidential Hangar next to the R&D/Flight Test Hangar which are both located west of the USAF Museum. As both hangars are behind the perimeter fence on [[Wright-Patterson AFB]] property, they are only accessible to the general public by tour bus.
 +
The museum has several [[Air Force One|Presidential aircraft]], including those used by [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt|Franklin D. Roosevelt]], [[Harry Truman]], and [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]. The centerpiece of the Presidential aircraft collection is [[SAM 26000]], a modified Boeing 707 used regularly by Presidents [[John F. Kennedy]] through [[Richard Nixon]] during his first term; after which it served as the backup Presidential aircraft. This was the aircraft that took [[John F. Kennedy|President]] and [[Jacqueline Kennedy|Mrs. Kennedy]] to Dallas on November 22, 1963—the day of the President's assassination. Vice President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] was sworn in as president aboard it shortly after the assassination; this aircraft then carried the slain President's body back to [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2009-11-20-jfkrelics20_ST_U.htm?csp=N009|title=JFK Relics Stir Strong Emotions|last=Keen|first=Judy |date=November 20, 2009|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=20 November 2009}}</ref> It was temporarily removed from display on December 5, 2009, to be repainted. It was placed back on display in the museum on President's Day, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123168955|title=Air Force One temporarily off display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force|date=September 22, 2009|publisher=National Museum of the US Air Force}}</ref> All presidential aircraft are now on display in their own Presidential Hangar next to the R&D/Flight Test Hangar which are both located west of the USAF Museum. As both hangars are behind the perimeter fence on [[Wright-Patterson AFB]] property, they are only accessible to the general public by tour bus.
   
 
===Pioneers of flight===
  
===Pioneers of flight===
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There is a large section of the museum dedicated to pioneers of flight, especially the [[Wright Brothers]], who conducted some of their experiments at nearby [[Huffman Prairie]]. A replica of the Wrights' 1909 Military Flyer is on display, as well as other Wright brothers artifacts. The building also hosts the [[National Aviation Hall of Fame]], which includes several educational exhibits.
 +
There is a large section of the museum dedicated to pioneers of flight, especially the Wright Brothers, who conducted some of their experiments at nearby [[Huffman Prairie]]. A replica of the Wrights' 1909 Military Flyer is on display, as well as other Wright brothers artifacts. The building also hosts the National Aviation Hall of Fame, which includes several educational exhibits.
   
 
===Uniforms and clothing===
  
===Uniforms and clothing===
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===Other exhibits and attractions===
  
===Other exhibits and attractions===
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The museum completed the construction of a third hangar and hall of missiles in 2004. It now houses post-[[Cold War]] era planes such as the [[B-2 Spirit]] stealth bomber (test aircraft), the [[F-117 Nighthawk]] stealth ground attack aircraft and others. Fund raising has begun for a fourth hangar to house the museum's space collection, presidential planes and an enlarged educational outreach area, making all more accessible to the public.
 +
The museum completed the construction of a third hangar and hall of missiles in 2004. It now houses post-[[Cold War]] era planes such as the [[B-2 Spirit]] stealth bomber (test aircraft), the [[F-117 Nighthawk]] stealth ground attack aircraft and others. Fund raising has begun for a fourth hangar to house the museum's space collection, presidential planes and an enlarged educational outreach area, making all more accessible to the public.
   
 
The museum has an IMAX theater that shows, for a fee, aviation and space oriented IMAX films interspersed primarily with other documentaries.
  
The museum has an IMAX theater that shows, for a fee, aviation and space oriented IMAX films interspersed primarily with other documentaries.
   
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The museum owns other aircraft that are on loan to other aerospace museums in the United States. Most of these loaned aircraft duplicate aircraft exhibited by the museum. The museum's staff has very high standards for the quality of care/restoration of loaned assets, and has, in the past, revoked these loans when it was deemed that these other museums did not have the resources to properly care for an artifact. This happened in the case of the famous B-17, ''[[Memphis Belle (B-17)|Memphis Belle]]''.
 +
The museum owns other aircraft that are on loan to other aerospace museums in the United States. Most of these loaned aircraft duplicate aircraft exhibited by the museum. The museum's staff has very high standards for the quality of care/restoration of loaned assets, and has, in the past, revoked these loans when it was deemed that these other museums did not have the resources to properly care for an artifact. This happened in the case of the famous B-17, ''[[Memphis Belle (B-17)|Memphis Belle]]''.
   
 
==Future developments==
  
==Future developments==
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==Partial list of collection==
  
==Partial list of collection==
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The museum is divided into galleries, covering broad historic trends in military aviation. These are further broken down into exhibits detailing specific time periods and showing aircraft in their historical context.
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The museum is divided into galleries, covering broad historic trends in military aviation. These are further broken down into exhibits detailing specific time periods and showing aircraft in their historical context.
   
 
All aircraft in this list were designed/built in the [[United States of America]], unless otherwise indicated.
  
All aircraft in this list were designed/built in the [[United States of America]], unless otherwise indicated.
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====Early years (1901–1917)====
  
====Early years (1901–1917)====
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*[[Wright Brothers]] 1901 [[wind tunnel]]
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*Wright Brothers 1901 wind tunnel
 
*[[Wright Military Flyer]] (1909), the first aircraft ever purchased by the [[U.S. Army Signal Corps]]
  
*[[Wright Military Flyer]] (1909), the first aircraft ever purchased by the [[U.S. Army Signal Corps]]
−
*[[Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company|Curtiss]] 1911 [[Curtiss Model D|Model D]], the second aircraft purchased by the Signal Corps
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*Curtiss 1911 [[Curtiss Model D|Model D]], the second aircraft purchased by the Signal Corps
 
*Wright Brothers 1911 wind tunnel
  
*Wright Brothers 1911 wind tunnel
−
*[[Louis Blériot|Blériot]] Monoplane ([[France]])
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*[[Louis Blériot|Blériot]] Monoplane (France)
   
 
====World War I (1917–1918)====
  
====World War I (1917–1918)====
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[[File:Strawberry Bitch at Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH.jpg|thumb|right|B-24D ''42-72843'' '''Strawberry Bitch''' at US Air Force Museum]]
  
[[File:Strawberry Bitch at Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH.jpg|thumb|right|B-24D ''42-72843'' '''Strawberry Bitch''' at US Air Force Museum]]
   
−
*[[SPAD VII]] ([[France]]&nbsp;– used by U.S. [[Lafayette Escadrille]])
 +
*[[SPAD VII]] (France&nbsp;– used by U.S. [[Lafayette Escadrille]])
−
*[[Curtiss JN4|Curtiss JN-4D]] "Jenny" [[training aircraft|trainer]]
 +
*[[Curtiss JN4|Curtiss JN-4D]] "Jenny" trainer
−
*[[Standard Aircraft Corporation|Standard Aircraft]] [[Standard SJ|SJ-1]] trainer
 +
*Standard Aircraft [[Standard SJ|SJ-1]] trainer
 
*[[Thomas-Morse Aircraft]] [[Thomas-Morse S-4|S-4C Scout]] trainer
  
*[[Thomas-Morse Aircraft]] [[Thomas-Morse S-4|S-4C Scout]] trainer
 
*[[Avro 504]]K trainer
  
*[[Avro 504]]K trainer
 
*[[Nieuport]] [[Nieuport 28 C.1|28 C.1]], used by the first [[Squadron (aviation)|fighter squadron]]s of the [[United States Army Air Service|United States Army Air Service (USAAS)]]
  
*[[Nieuport]] [[Nieuport 28 C.1|28 C.1]], used by the first [[Squadron (aviation)|fighter squadron]]s of the [[United States Army Air Service|United States Army Air Service (USAAS)]]
−
*[[Sopwith Aviation Company|Sopwith]] F-1 [[Sopwith Camel|Camel]] ([[Great Britain]], used by the United States Army Air Service)
 +
*[[Sopwith Aviation Company|Sopwith]] F-1 [[Sopwith Camel|Camel]] (Great Britain, used by the United States Army Air Service)
−
*[[Fokker-Flugzeugwerke|Fokker]] [[Fokker Dr.I|Dr.I]] ([[Germany]])
 +
*[[Fokker-Flugzeugwerke|Fokker]] [[Fokker Dr.I|Dr.I]] (Germany)
−
*[[Albert Caquot|Caquot]] Type R [[observation balloon|observation]] [[dirigible]] (France&nbsp;– used by [[United States Army]])
 +
*[[Albert Caquot|Caquot]] Type R [[observation balloon|observation]] dirigible (France&nbsp;– used by [[United States Army]])
 
*[[Halberstadt CL.IV]] (Germany)
  
*[[Halberstadt CL.IV]] (Germany)
 
*[[Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés|SPAD]] [[SPAD XIII|XIII]] (France)&nbsp;– donated by [[Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome]] upon the passing of [[Cole Palen]]
  
*[[Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés|SPAD]] [[SPAD XIII|XIII]] (France)&nbsp;– donated by [[Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome]] upon the passing of [[Cole Palen]]
 
*[[Fokker D.VII]] (Germany)
  
*[[Fokker D.VII]] (Germany)
 
*[[Charles Kettering|Kettering]] [[Kettering Bug|Bug Aerial Torpedo]] (U.S&nbsp;– First [[cruise missile]])
  
*[[Charles Kettering|Kettering]] [[Kettering Bug|Bug Aerial Torpedo]] (U.S&nbsp;– First [[cruise missile]])
−
*[[Caproni]] [[Caproni Ca.36|Ca.36]] ([[Italy]])
 +
*[[Caproni]] [[Caproni Ca.36|Ca.36]] (Italy)
   
 
====Inter-War years (1919–1941)====
  
====Inter-War years (1919–1941)====
−
*[[De Havilland]] [[Airco DH.4|DH-4]] (U.S. built from a British design)
 +
*De Havilland [[Airco DH.4|DH-4]] (U.S. built from a British design)
−
*[[Glenn L. Martin Company|Martin]] MB-2 (First U.S. designed bomber)
 +
*Martin MB-2 (First U.S. designed bomber)
 
*[[Consolidated PT-1]] "Trusty" (trainer)
  
*[[Consolidated PT-1]] "Trusty" (trainer)
 
*Boeing [[Boeing P-12|P-12E]]
  
*Boeing [[Boeing P-12|P-12E]]
−
*[[Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company|Curtiss]] [[Curtiss P-6|P-6E]]
 +
*Curtiss [[Curtiss P-6|P-6E]]
 
*[[P-26 Peashooter|Boeing P-26A Peashooter]]
  
*[[P-26 Peashooter|Boeing P-26A Peashooter]]
 
*[[Martin B-10]]
  
*[[Martin B-10]]
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* [[Republic Aircraft|Republic]] [[P-47 Thunderbolt|P-47D-40RA '''"Five by Five"''']] ''[[Republic P-47 Survivors|45-49167]]'' (bubble-top)
  
* [[Republic Aircraft|Republic]] [[P-47 Thunderbolt|P-47D-40RA '''"Five by Five"''']] ''[[Republic P-47 Survivors|45-49167]]'' (bubble-top)
   
−
{{ColBreak}}
 +
{{Multicol-break}}
 
*[[P-51 Mustang|North American P-51D Mustang]]
  
*[[P-51 Mustang|North American P-51D Mustang]]
 
* Northrop [[P-61 Black Widow|P-61C Black Widow]]
  
* Northrop [[P-61 Black Widow|P-61C Black Widow]]
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====Trainer Aircraft====
  
====Trainer Aircraft====
 
*[[Curtiss AT-9|Curtiss AT-9 Jeep]] (advanced trainer)
  
*[[Curtiss AT-9|Curtiss AT-9 Jeep]] (advanced trainer)
−
*[[Vultee Aircraft|Vultee]] [[BT-13 Valiant]] (basic trainer)
 +
*Vultee [[BT-13 Valiant]] (basic trainer)
 
*[[Ryan Aeronautical|Ryan]] [[PT-22|PT-22 Recruit]] (primary trainer)
  
*[[Ryan Aeronautical|Ryan]] [[PT-22|PT-22 Recruit]] (primary trainer)
   
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{{MultiCol}}
  
{{MultiCol}}
 
*[[Noorduyn Norseman|Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman]] (Canada)
  
*[[Noorduyn Norseman|Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman]] (Canada)
−
*[[Bristol Beaufighter|Bristol Beaufighter Mk Ic]] ([[Great Britain]])
 +
*[[Bristol Beaufighter|Bristol Beaufighter Mk Ic]] (Great Britain)
−
*[[De Havilland]] [[De Havilland Tiger Moth|DH 82A Tiger Moth]] (Great Britain)
 +
*De Havilland [[De Havilland Tiger Moth|DH 82A Tiger Moth]] (Great Britain)
 
*[[De Havilland Mosquito|De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito Mk 35]] (Great Britain)
  
*[[De Havilland Mosquito|De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito Mk 35]] (Great Britain)
 
*[[Hawker Hurricane|Hawker Hurricane Mk IIa]] (Great Britain)
  
*[[Hawker Hurricane|Hawker Hurricane Mk IIa]] (Great Britain)
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*[[Mitsubishi Zero|Mitsubishi A6M2 "Zeke"]] ([[Japan]])
  
*[[Mitsubishi Zero|Mitsubishi A6M2 "Zeke"]] ([[Japan]])
   
−
{{ColBreak}}
 +
{{Multicol-break}}
 
*Yokosuka ''[[Ohka]]'' Trainer (Japan)
  
*Yokosuka ''[[Ohka]]'' Trainer (Japan)
 
*[[Fieseler]] [[Fieseler Fi 156|Fi 156C-1 ''Storch'']] (Germany)
  
*[[Fieseler]] [[Fieseler Fi 156|Fi 156C-1 ''Storch'']] (Germany)
 
*[[Focke-Wulf Fw 190|Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9]] (Germany)
  
*[[Focke-Wulf Fw 190|Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9]] (Germany)
 
*[[Junkers Ju 88|Junkers Ju-88D-1]] (Germany)
  
*[[Junkers Ju 88|Junkers Ju-88D-1]] (Germany)
−
*[[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6]] [[Messerschmitt Bf 109 Survivors|610824]] ([[Germany]])
 +
*[[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6]] [[Messerschmitt Bf 109 Survivors|610824]] (Germany)
 
*[[Messerschmitt Me 163|Messerschmitt Me 163B ''Komet'']] (Germany)
  
*[[Messerschmitt Me 163|Messerschmitt Me 163B ''Komet'']] (Germany)
 
*[[Messerschmitt Me 262|Messerschmitt Me 262A ''Schwalbe'']] (Germany)
  
*[[Messerschmitt Me 262|Messerschmitt Me 262A ''Schwalbe'']] (Germany)
 
*[[V-1 flying bomb|Fieseler Fi 103 (V-1)]] (Germany)
  
*[[V-1 flying bomb|Fieseler Fi 103 (V-1)]] (Germany)
 
*[[V-2 rocket|V-2]] with [[Meillerwagen]] (Germany)
  
*[[V-2 rocket|V-2]] with [[Meillerwagen]] (Germany)
−
*[[Aermacchi|Macchi]] [[Macchi MC.200|MC.200 Saetta]] ([[Italy]])
 +
*[[Aermacchi|Macchi]] [[Macchi MC.200|MC.200 Saetta]] (Italy)
 
{{EndMultiCol}}
  
{{EndMultiCol}}
   
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*[[Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star|Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star]] (First operational U.S. jet fighter)
  
*[[Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star|Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star]] (First operational U.S. jet fighter)
 
*[[Lockheed F-94 Starfire|Lockheed F-94A Starfire]]
  
*[[Lockheed F-94 Starfire|Lockheed F-94A Starfire]]
−
*[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15]]bis ([[USSR]]&nbsp;– this aircraft was landed in Seoul by [[No Kum-Sok]], a [[Korean People's Air Force]], supposedly influenced by [[Operation Moolah]] and later test flown by [[Chuck Yeager]] in Okinawa)
 +
*[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15]]bis (USSR&nbsp;– this aircraft was landed in Seoul by [[No Kum-Sok]], a [[Korean People's Air Force]], supposedly influenced by [[Operation Moolah]] and later test flown by [[Chuck Yeager]] in Okinawa)
 
*[[North American B-45 Tornado|North American B-45C Tornado]]
  
*[[North American B-45 Tornado|North American B-45C Tornado]]
 
*[[North American F-82 Twin Mustang|North American F-82B Twin Mustang]]
  
*[[North American F-82 Twin Mustang|North American F-82B Twin Mustang]]
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*[[McDonnell F-101 Voodoo|McDonnell RF-101 Voodoo]]
  
*[[McDonnell F-101 Voodoo|McDonnell RF-101 Voodoo]]
 
*[[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II]]
  
*[[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II]]
−
*[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17]] ([[USSR]])
 +
*[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17]] (USSR)
−
*[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19]] ([[Shenyang J-6|J6]]) (Red China/[[PRC]]) ([[USSR]])
 +
*[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19]] ([[Shenyang J-6|J6]]) (Red China/[[PRC]]) (USSR)
 
*[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]]PF (USSR) (a second MiG-21 is in storage)
  
*[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]]PF (USSR) (a second MiG-21 is in storage)
 
*[[North American F-100 Super Sabre|North American F-100F Super Sabre]]
  
*[[North American F-100 Super Sabre|North American F-100F Super Sabre]]
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*[[F-4 Phantom II|McDonnell Douglas F-4G Phantom II]] [[Wild Weasel]]
  
*[[F-4 Phantom II|McDonnell Douglas F-4G Phantom II]] [[Wild Weasel]]
   
−
{{ColBreak}}
 +
{{Multicol-break}}
 
*[[F-15 Eagle|McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]]
  
*[[F-15 Eagle|McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]]
 
*[[Mikoyan MiG-29]] (USSR)
  
*[[Mikoyan MiG-29]] (USSR)
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===Missile and Space Gallery===
  
===Missile and Space Gallery===
 
{{MultiCol}}
  
{{MultiCol}}
−
*[[Apollo 15|Apollo 15 Command Module]]
 +
*Apollo 15 Command Module
 
*'''Gemini B''' experimental capsule for the [[Manned Orbiting Laboratory]]
  
*'''Gemini B''' experimental capsule for the [[Manned Orbiting Laboratory]]
 
*[[PGM-19 Jupiter|Jupiter IRBM]]
  
*[[PGM-19 Jupiter|Jupiter IRBM]]
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*[[HGM-25A Titan I|Titan I ICBM]]
  
*[[HGM-25A Titan I|Titan I ICBM]]
   
−
{{ColBreak}}
 +
{{Multicol-break}}
 
*[[LGM-25C Titan II|Titan II ICBM]]
  
*[[LGM-25C Titan II|Titan II ICBM]]
 
*[[LGM-30 Minuteman|Minuteman III ICBM]]
  
*[[LGM-30 Minuteman|Minuteman III ICBM]]
 
*[[RM-81 Agena|Agena SLV]]
  
*[[RM-81 Agena|Agena SLV]]
 
*[[LGM-118 Peacekeeper|Peacekeeper ICBM]]
  
*[[LGM-118 Peacekeeper|Peacekeeper ICBM]]
−
*[[Moon rock|Moon Rock]] from the [[Apollo 16]] Mission<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7650 | title = Fact Sheet: Moon Rock | publisher = United States Air Force | location = Wright Patterson, Air Force Base, Ohio | accessdate = 2012-07-18 | quote = WHEREAS, several Dyersburg Masons have distinguished themselves as men of stature in our great state and nation, including the Honorable John S. Tanner, U.S.}}</ref>
 +
*[[Moon rock|Moon Rock]] from the Apollo 16 Mission<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7650 | title = Fact Sheet: Moon Rock | publisher = United States Air Force | location = Wright Patterson, Air Force Base, Ohio | accessdate = 2012-07-18 | quote = WHEREAS, several Dyersburg Masons have distinguished themselves as men of stature in our great state and nation, including the Honorable John S. Tanner, U.S.}}</ref>
 
{{EndMultiCol}}
  
{{EndMultiCol}}
   
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*[[Bell 47|Bell UH-13J Sioux]]
  
*[[Bell 47|Bell UH-13J Sioux]]
 
**Used by Dwight D. Eisenhower and [[John F. Kennedy]]
  
**Used by Dwight D. Eisenhower and [[John F. Kennedy]]
−
*[[Boeing C-137 Stratoliner|Boeing VC-137C]]&nbsp;– [[VC-137C SAM 26000|SAM 26000]] ([[Boeing 707]]&nbsp;– first aircraft called [[Air Force One]])
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*[[Boeing C-137 Stratoliner|Boeing VC-137C]]&nbsp;– [[VC-137C SAM 26000|SAM 26000]] (Boeing 707&nbsp;– first aircraft called [[Air Force One]])
 
**Used by John F. Kennedy, [[Lyndon Johnson]], and [[Richard Nixon]] during his first term.
  
**Used by John F. Kennedy, [[Lyndon Johnson]], and [[Richard Nixon]] during his first term.
 
*[[Beechcraft King Air|Beech VC-6A]] ''Lady Bird Special'' ([[Beechcraft King Air|King Air]] B90)
  
*[[Beechcraft King Air|Beech VC-6A]] ''Lady Bird Special'' ([[Beechcraft King Air|King Air]] B90)
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*NASA/Boeing [[McDonnell Douglas X-36|X-36]]
  
*NASA/Boeing [[McDonnell Douglas X-36|X-36]]
 
*Martin Marietta [[Martin-Marietta X-24|X-24B]]
  
*Martin Marietta [[Martin-Marietta X-24|X-24B]]
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*North American Aviation [[Apollo 15|Apollo 15 Command Module]]
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*North American Aviation Apollo 15 Command Module
 
*North American [[XB-70 Valkyrie]]
  
*North American [[XB-70 Valkyrie]]
 
*North American [[North American F-107|F-107A]]
  
*North American [[North American F-107|F-107A]]
 
*[[North American X-10]]
  
*[[North American X-10]]
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*[[North American X-15]] ([[Hypersonic]] record holder)
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*[[North American X-15]] (Hypersonic record holder)
 
*[[Northrop Tacit Blue]] (Whale) (stealth low observable demonstrator)
  
*[[Northrop Tacit Blue]] (Whale) (stealth low observable demonstrator)
 
*Northrop [[YF-23 Black Widow II]]&nbsp;– recently put on display
  
*Northrop [[YF-23 Black Widow II]]&nbsp;– recently put on display
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[[Category:IMAX venues]]
 
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[[Category:Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]]
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[[Category:Museums in Ohio]]
 
[[Category:American national museums in Ohio|Air Force, National Museum of the United States]]
  
[[Category:American national museums in Ohio|Air Force, National Museum of the United States]]
 
[[Category:Air force museums in the United States]]
  
[[Category:Air force museums in the United States]]
 
[[Category:Museums established in 1923]]
  
[[Category:Museums established in 1923]]
 
[[Category:Military and war museums in Ohio]]
  
[[Category:Military and war museums in Ohio]]
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[[Category:Visitor attractions in Montgomery County, Ohio]]
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[[Category:Tourist attractions in Ohio]]
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[[Category:National Aviation Heritage Area]]
  
 
[[Category:History of the United States Air Force]]
  
[[Category:History of the United States Air Force]]
 
[[Category:1923 establishments in the United States]]
  
[[Category:1923 establishments in the United States]]

Revision as of 16:05, 28 August 2019

National Museum of the United States Air Force
National Museum of the United States Air Force
Established 1923
Location Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,
Dayton, Ohio
Coordinates 39°46′55″N 84°06′32″W / 39.781976°N 84.108892°W / 39.781976; -84.108892
Type Aviation museum
Visitors 1,000,000+[1]
Director Lt. Gen. John L Hudson, USAF (retired)
Curator Terry Aitken
Public transit access Greater Dayton RTA Route 11
Website www.nationalmuseum.af.mil
Nmusafaerial

The museum

The National Museum of the United States Air Force (formerly the United States Air Force Museum) is the official museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base 6 miles (9.7 km) northeast of Dayton, Ohio.[2] The NMUSAF is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum[3] with more than 360 aircraft and missiles on display.[1] The museum draws over 1.3 million visitors each year making it one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Ohio.[4] Admission to the museum is free.

History

The museum dates back to 1923 when the Engineering Division at Dayton's McCook Field first collected technical artifacts for preservation. In 1927 it moved to then-Wright Field and was housed in a succession of buildings. In 1954 as the Air Force Museum it was housed in its first permanent facility, Building 89 of the former Patterson Field in Fairborn, which had been an engine overhaul hangar, and many of its aircraft were parked outside and exposed to the weather. It remained there until 1971 when the current facility was first opened. Not including its annex on Wright Field proper, the museum has more than tripled in square footage since its inception in 1971.[5]

The museum announced a new name for the facility in October 2004. The former name "United States Air Force Museum" was changed to "National Museum of the United States Air Force".[1]

The museum is a central component of the National Aviation Heritage Area.[6]

Exhibits and collections

The museum's collection contains many rare aircraft of historical or technological importance as well as various memorabilia and artifacts relating to the history and development of aviation. Included in the permanent collections are one of four surviving Convair B-36s, the only surviving XB-70 Valkyrie, and Bockscar—the B-29 Superfortress that dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki during the last days of World War II.

The museum launched their 360-degree Virtual Tour in 2010. Visitors can now view the majority of the museum's aircraft and exhibits online.

Presidential aircraft

The museum has several Presidential aircraft, including those used by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. The centerpiece of the Presidential aircraft collection is SAM 26000, a modified Boeing 707 used regularly by Presidents John F. Kennedy through Richard Nixon during his first term; after which it served as the backup Presidential aircraft. This was the aircraft that took President and Mrs. Kennedy to Dallas on November 22, 1963—the day of the President's assassination. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president aboard it shortly after the assassination; this aircraft then carried the slain President's body back to Washington.[7] It was temporarily removed from display on December 5, 2009, to be repainted. It was placed back on display in the museum on President's Day, 2010.[8] All presidential aircraft are now on display in their own Presidential Hangar next to the R&D/Flight Test Hangar which are both located west of the USAF Museum. As both hangars are behind the perimeter fence on Wright-Patterson AFB property, they are only accessible to the general public by tour bus.

Pioneers of flight

There is a large section of the museum dedicated to pioneers of flight, especially the Wright Brothers, who conducted some of their experiments at nearby Huffman Prairie. A replica of the Wrights' 1909 Military Flyer is on display, as well as other Wright brothers artifacts. The building also hosts the National Aviation Hall of Fame, which includes several educational exhibits.

Uniforms and clothing

Billy Mitchell uniforms

Maj. General Billy Mitchell's uniforms on display

The museum has a large inventory of USAAF and Air Force clothing and uniforms in its collection. At any time over fifty WWII vintage A-2 leather flying jackets are on display, many of which belonged to famous figures in Air Force history. Others are painted to depict the air planes and missions flown by their former owners. Included in the museum's displays are the jacket worn by Brig. Gen. James Stewart, P-38 ace Maj. Richard I. Bong's sheepskin B-3 jacket and boots, an A-2 jacket worn by one of the few USAAF pilots to leave the ground during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and President Ronald Reagan's peacoat.

Other exhibits and attractions

The museum completed the construction of a third hangar and hall of missiles in 2004. It now houses post-Cold War era planes such as the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber (test aircraft), the F-117 Nighthawk stealth ground attack aircraft and others. Fund raising has begun for a fourth hangar to house the museum's space collection, presidential planes and an enlarged educational outreach area, making all more accessible to the public.

The museum has an IMAX theater that shows, for a fee, aviation and space oriented IMAX films interspersed primarily with other documentaries.

The museum owns other aircraft that are on loan to other aerospace museums in the United States. Most of these loaned aircraft duplicate aircraft exhibited by the museum. The museum's staff has very high standards for the quality of care/restoration of loaned assets, and has, in the past, revoked these loans when it was deemed that these other museums did not have the resources to properly care for an artifact. This happened in the case of the famous B-17, Memphis Belle.

Future developments

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is in the midst of a multi-phase, long-term expansion plan. The Air Force Museum Foundation is currently supporting a major capital construction program to expand the museum's current one million square feet of exhibit space with a fourth building that will house the Space Gallery, Presidential Aircraft Gallery and Global Reach Gallery.

Additionally, the Air Force Museum Theater is in the process of upgrading its theatre from IMAX to digital 3D with a stage. This upgrade will allow for a broader range of programming, including educational presentations and live broadcasts, in addition to expanded documentary choices. The renovations will also include a 7.1 surround-sound system, audio devices for the hearing or visually impaired, and personal closed captioning systems.[9]

Partial list of collection

The museum is divided into galleries, covering broad historic trends in military aviation. These are further broken down into exhibits detailing specific time periods and showing aircraft in their historical context.

All aircraft in this list were designed/built in the United States of America, unless otherwise indicated.

Early Years Gallery (1901–1941)

Early years (1901–1917)

World War I (1917–1918)

Sopwith Camel US Air Force Museum

Sopwith Camel

Martin YB-10 NMUSAF GVG

Martin YB-10 on display at the museum

North American B-25B Mitchell USAF

Museum display depicting a B-25B Mitchell in preparation for the Doolittle Raid

BockscarAndFatmanDisplay

Bockscar and a replica of Fat Man on display at the museum

Republic P-47D 2 USAF

P-47D-40RA 45-49167 Five by Five at US Air Force Museum

Strawberry Bitch at Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH

B-24D 42-72843 Strawberry Bitch at US Air Force Museum

Inter-War years (1919–1941)

World War II

Attack Aircraft

Bomber Aircraft

Cargo Aircraft

Photographic Reconnaissance Aircraft

  • North American F-10D Mitchell 43-3374 – (Painted as B-25B – Doolittle Raider's diorama)

Liaison Aircraft

Multi-Purpose Aircraft

Rotary Aircraft

Pursuit Aircraft

Trainer Aircraft

  • Curtiss AT-9 Jeep (advanced trainer)
  • Vultee BT-13 Valiant (basic trainer)
  • Ryan PT-22 Recruit (primary trainer)

Foreign Aircraft

Korean War

C-124 NMUSAF

C-124 Globemaster II at the museum

Southeast Asia War

Hanoi Taxi over NMUSAF

Hanoi Taxi (Lockheed C-141 Starlifter) flying over the museum in December 2005

Cold War

NMUSAF-ColdWarPanorama

Panorama of the Cold War exhibit

B-36 NMUSAF 1

Convair B-36 Peacemaker and Lockheed F-94 Starfire

Post Cold War

Missile and Space Gallery

Presidential aircraft

VC-137-1 Air Force One

VC-137C – SAM 26000 arriving at the Museum

Research and development aircraft

Air Force Museum Foundation

The Air Force Museum Foundation is a private, non-profit organization that supports the mission and goals of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.[12]

Other Air Force museums

See: List of United States Air Force museums

See also

Related lists
  • List of aerospace museums

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "History of the National Museum of the United States Air Force". National Museum of the United States Air Force official site. June 2007. http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=430. Retrieved 2008-09-12. 
  2. ↑ "Visitor info". http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/visit/directions.asp. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  3. ↑ Wright-Patterson Air Force Base – Museum
  4. ↑ "Airfoce Museum Attendance". http://www.whiotv.com/news/19099838/detail.html. Retrieved 2009-04-05. 
  5. ↑ Air Force Museum Foundation
  6. ↑ "Home of the Wright Brothers". National Aviation Heritage Area. http://www.aviationheritagearea.org/. Retrieved 16 March 2012. 
  7. ↑ Keen, Judy (November 20, 2009). "JFK Relics Stir Strong Emotions". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2009-11-20-jfkrelics20_ST_U.htm?csp=N009. Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
  8. ↑ "Air Force One temporarily off display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force". National Museum of the US Air Force. September 22, 2009. http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123168955. 
  9. ↑ http://www.airforcemuseum.com/imax-theatre/
  10. ↑ "Fact Sheet: Moon Rock". Wright Patterson, Air Force Base, Ohio: United States Air Force. http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7650. Retrieved 2012-07-18. "WHEREAS, several Dyersburg Masons have distinguished themselves as men of stature in our great state and nation, including the Honorable John S. Tanner, U.S." 
  11. ↑ "Factsheets : USAF Established". Nationalmuseum.af.mil. http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1845. Retrieved 2012-02-02. 
  12. ↑ Air Force Museum Foundation. Retrieved 2010-02-04.

External links

Commons-Logo Wikimedia Commons has media related to National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Coordinates: 39°46′55″N 84°06′32″W / 39.781976°N 84.108892°W / 39.781976; -84.108892

Leadership
Seal of the US Air Force
Structure
Commands
Direct Reporting Units
Personnel and
training
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equipment
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