1. Overview
The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, is home to an impressive military aviation collection, showcasing the rich history of airpower.
2. History
The National Museum of the United States Air Force started in 1923 as a small exhibit of World War I aircraft at Dayton’s McCook Field. After the establishment of Wright Field, the museum relocated to this new aviation research center. Initially situated in a lab building, the museum moved into its first permanent facility in 1935, constructed by the Works Progress Administration. When the U.S. entered World War II, the museum’s collection was stored away for wartime use.
After World War II, the Smithsonian Institution began acquiring aircraft for its National Aviation Museum (now known as the National Air and Space Museum). Given that the U.S. Air Force had aircraft that were not required in the Smithsonian’s collections, the Air Force Museum was re-established in 1947 and became accessible to the public in 1955.
A new museum building was inaugurated in 1971, enabling staff to exhibit aircraft and exhibits in a climate-controlled, fireproof environment for the first time since before the war years. The National Museum of the United States Air Force now features 19 acres of indoor exhibit space, a memorial park, a visitor reception center, and an IMAX Theatre.
3. Collections
The museum’s galleries are meticulously arranged in chronological order. The Early Years Gallery showcases aviation from its inception up to World War I. The Air Power Gallery highlights the aviation of World War II, while the Modern Flight Gallery focuses on the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict. The Eugene W. Kettering Cold War Gallery and the Missile and Space Gallery transport visitors from the Soviet era to the forefront of space exploration.
In June 2016, the Presidential, Research and Development, and Global Reach Galleries were unveiled to the public. Noteworthy exhibits include four presidential aircraft and the world’s sole remaining XB-70A Valkyrie.
Visitors are often captivated by the unique and historically rich aircraft on display, including a B-52, the only B-2 Stealth bomber exhibited anywhere, a Japanese Zero, a Soviet MiG-15, as well as the U-2 and SR-71 surveillance planes.
4. Tours and Special Events
Complimentary guided tours of the museum are available daily at various times, each covering different segments of the museum. Registration is not required for these tours.
Additionally, free Behind-the-Scenes Tours occur on the first and third Friday of each month, from 1 p.m.–3 p.m., in the Space STEM Learning Node located in Building 4. This special tour provides an insight into the museum’s aircraft restoration area.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force hosts over 800 special programs and events annually. These programs encompass homeschool days, family days, and educational lectures. A multitude of events, including concerts, model airplane shows, fly-ins, and reunions, are organized at the museum throughout the year.
5. Plan Your Visit
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, on 1100 Spaatz Street. Visitors are not required to present a military ID for entry onto the museum complex. Both admission and parking are free, although fees apply for the IMAX Theatre and flight simulator.
The museum operates daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that it is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
The museum provides some wheelchairs and motorized scooters for visitor use; however, bringing your own is recommended. Touch tours and guided tours for hearing-impaired guests can be arranged by appointment. It is advisable to call at least three weeks prior to your visit to schedule these tours. As the museum features concrete floors, wearing comfortable walking shoes is highly recommended.
Visitors will also find a Memorial Park, a gift shop, and two cafés within the museum complex.
