Thursday, August 25, 2016

8/25 Huffman Prarie Field & Museum of the USAF

Today was a humid, but windy, day so we went to the outdoor location first:  the part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Site known as the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center. 








This provided more insight into the use of the Dayton area to develop and improve aircraft,  such as these models used in one of the wind tunnels.







Today was a special day as it was the 100th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service.












Outside of the Center, there was a memorial to the Wright Brothers.









While awaiting the start of a tour of the new building in the museum, we looked around in the hall that contains the Aviation Hall of Fame.  Some of it depicted the space program.  I didn't do well in the simulator to fix the Hubble Telescope - connected with the correct port but ran out of fuel.







I also tried on an astronaut suit - the easy way.




After seeing all the Wright aircraft the past two days, we noted (as a volunteer had suggested yesterday) this modified Wright flyer in one of the display areas.












The B52 behind me is on stands so it appears much higher than it actually sits on the flight line.












On our way to the start of the tour, we and the other visitors were ushered outside since a fire alarm had been pulled.   After about 25  minutes outside, we were allowed back in and resumed our visit.





The tour started a half hour later than normal after we were allowed back in.







In addition to the experimental aircraft Kathy and I viewed on Tuesday afternoon (see a better view of the XB-70), there were other sections of the new building.







There was a section on Space Exploration including this hybrid exhibit of the space shuttle.  The front of it is actually a shuttle simulator/trainer.  This was at the museum when we visited in 2013, but was not open to view.  Since then, the body replica was built for the simulator cockpit area so it looks like a full space shuttle.
























The other section of this new building was dedicated to Presidential Aircraft.





We did go through the aircraft that carried President Kennedy's body back to Washington, DC.  I am at the spot where President Johnson was sworn in.
















All in all, the new fourth building of the museum is full of aircraft and info - as are the other three buildings.  Here is a panoramic photo of the fourth building's exhibits.



Tomorrow we head home - like with one layover in western PA.

Marty


 
 
 



























1 comment:

  1. It's been an exciting few weeks, but glad you're headed back this way. Enjoyed this blog and photos. I was in a Disney ride/flight simulator and did NOT like the experience (chest pressure & claustrophobia!!) I would have had goose bumps in AF1 where Kennedy's body was brought back and Johnson took oath, WOW!

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