Three air & Space Museums showcase aviation’s past, present and future
By Kim D. McHugh
MOVIES “TOP GUN: MAVERICK,” “The Right Stuff,” “Amelia,” “The Aviator” and ten “Star Wars” films highlight our affinity for aviation and outer space. If your interest extends beyond the big screen, turn a family vacation into a personal flight exploration by visiting one or more of America’s air and space museums. These three standout museums in the West masterfully illustrate the history of flight, pioneers in aviation, the sacrifices by those serving in uniform and a look into the future of flight.
WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Are you a “Star Wars” fan? This venue has a replica of an X-Wing Starfighter flown by Luke Skywalker. It is among the more than 50 aircraft located in Hangar 1 of the former Lowry Air Force Base.
The museum’s aircraft collection spans from the early days of flight to WWII and Vietnam to space exploration, including exhibits on the Titan Missile Program and Colorado’s more than 60 astronauts. Also under Wings Over the Rockies careful watch, more aviation knowledge is shared at the Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery at Centennial Airport. It is described as an interactive aviation center with a focus on inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts.
There you’ll learn that Boeing estimates that the aviation industry will need more than two million new personnel (pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, flight attendants) over the coming years. Curious about flying? Buy time in the Redbird FMX. An FAA-approved simulator, it allows you to take an incredibly realistic 10-minute “flight” piloting a Cessna 182. A FlyThisSim TouchTrainer and Redbird Xwind simulator provide additional options to get a sense of flight.
PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM
“An aviation museum is a place to learn how to dream,” says Lt. Col. Harry Ziegler (U.S.M.C. Ret.). He goes on to note the library has two 3D flight simulators and five simulators for flying fighter aircraft. More than 1,150 WWII veterans’ oral histories have been captured and 5,000 movies are available to check out. “These pilots became the heroes of our time, and their daring and fearlessness sparked the imagination of millions of children,” he says.
With more than 12,700 volumes (including books and DVDs), the library is a sensational resource for aviation history. In the Korea/Vietnam hanger is a poignant display—one honoring MIA/POW/KIA veterans. Nearly 600 bracelets and the Vietnam Remembrance Wall, including a photo of the late senator and decorated aviator, John McCain, give visitors a sense of the hardships associated with war.
Among the museum’s collection is a TBF Avenger bomber, the kind former president George H.W. Bush—WWII’s youngest Naval pilot—flew on 58 missions. Equally impressive is the nose art, featuring those drawn by Walt Disney. Ready for takeoff? Book a flight in a PT-17 Stearman biplane ($395), a T-6 Texan ($595), a P-51D Mustang ($2,295) or a T-33 Shooting Star jet ($4,995).
PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
How many miles did female aviators log during WWII? In which James Bond movie did the BD-5J Microjet appear? What life-saving helicopter is most used by the U.S. Coast Guard? These and other stats are revealed touring this museum, which features more than 350 historical aircraft.
Open since 1976, the 80-acre facility is comprised of six indoor exhibit hangers showcasing military planes from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and modern conflicts, as well as civilian aircraft, including the Starr Bumble Bee, designed to earn the distinction of being the world’s smallest aircraft with its minuscule 6-foot, 6-inch wingspan.
The museum has more than 100 displays, and audio and video recordings. Quite sobering is the hanger managed by veterans of the 390th Bomb Group. Home to a restored B-17G Flying Fortress, the wing chronicles camaraderie, bravery and casualties: the 8th Air Force alone lost more than 26,000 men and more than 28,000 became POWs.
A stroll through the Space Gallery provides a look at a full-size mockup of an Apollo capsule, a solar-powered car and the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame.
IF YOU GO:
There are air and space museums or aviation exhibits in all 50 states. All welcome families—most have interactive experiences, docent-led tours, special events, educational programs, and several offer ‘warbird’ flights for a fee. Admission fees are very reasonable. Here is a short list.
WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES
Air & Space Museum at Lowry 7711 E. Academy Blvd.
Denver
WOTR Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport
13005 Wings Way
Centennial
303.360.5360
wingsmuseum.org
PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM
palmspringsairmuseum.org
PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
pimaair.org
U.S. ARMY AVIATION MUSEUM
Fort Novosel, AL
armyaviationmuseum.org
THE NATIONAL WW II MUSEUM
New Orleans, LA
nationalww2museum.org
YANKEE AIR MUSEUM
Bellville, MI
yankeeairmuseum.org
THE MUSEUM OF FLIGHT
Seattle, WA
museumofflight.org
SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Washington, D.C. airandspace.si.edu
EAA MUSEUM
Oshkosh, WI
eaa.org/eaa-museum
INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Pier 86, New York, NY intrepidmuseum.org
HOUSTON SPACE CENTER
Houston, TX
spacecenter.org
