National Museum of the United States Air Force

National Museum of the United States Air Force is the official museum of the United States Air Force (USAF), located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. The museum was established in 1923 as a small exhibit in the Army Aviation Museum at McCook Field, and it has since grown to become one of the largest and most visited aviation museums in the world, with over 1 million visitors annually, including those from NASA, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. The museum's collection includes aircraft and artifacts from the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), United States Army Air Corps (USAAC), and the United States Air Force (USAF), as well as items on loan from the Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum, and the Royal Air Force Museum. The museum is also affiliated with the Air Force Historical Foundation, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the Experimental Aircraft Association.

● History

The museum's history dates back to 1923, when a small exhibit was established at McCook Field to showcase the history of United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) aviation, with support from Orville Wright, Wilbur Wright, and Henry Harley Arnold. Over the years, the museum has undergone several moves and expansions, including a relocation to Wright Field in 1935, and later to its current location at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1954, under the leadership of Curtis LeMay and Carl Andrew Spaatz. The museum has been visited by numerous notable figures, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Ronald Reagan, as well as Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and Chuck Yeager. The museum has also been involved in various restoration projects, including the restoration of the Wright Brothers' Wright Flyer, with assistance from National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

● Collections

The museum's collections include over 360 aircraft and missiles, as well as thousands of other artifacts, including uniforms, equipment, and personal items, from the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), United States Army Air Corps (USAAC), and the United States Air Force (USAF), as well as items from Royal Air Force (RAF), Luftwaffe, and Soviet Air Forces. The collection includes rare and historic aircraft, such as the Wright Brothers' Wright Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, and the Bell X-1, as well as aircraft used in notable military operations, such as World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War, including the Doolittle Raid, Battle of Britain, and Battle of Midway. The museum also has an extensive collection of aircraft engines, including the Rolls-Royce Merlin and the General Electric J47, with contributions from Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, and Rolls-Royce Holdings. The collection is supported by the Air Force Museum Foundation, Aeronautics and Astronautics Institute, and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

● Exhibits

The museum's exhibits showcase the history of aviation and the United States Air Force (USAF), with a focus on the people, aircraft, and events that have shaped the history of military aviation, including the Cold War, Korean War, and Gulf War. The exhibits include interactive displays, artifacts, and aircraft, as well as personal stories and accounts from airmen and aviators, including Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Sweeney, and Robin Olds. The museum also features a number of special exhibits, including the Early Years Gallery, the World War II Gallery, and the Space Gallery, with support from NASA, European Space Agency, and the Planetary Society. The exhibits are designed to educate and engage visitors, and to provide a unique perspective on the history of aviation and the United States Air Force (USAF), with contributions from National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, and the Royal Air Force Museum.

● Restoration and Conservation

The museum has a dedicated team of conservators and restorers who work to preserve and restore the aircraft and artifacts in the collection, using techniques and materials from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The museum also collaborates with other institutions, such as the National Air and Space Museum and the Royal Air Force Museum, to share expertise and best practices in conservation and restoration, including the American Institute for Conservation and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). The museum's restoration projects have included the restoration of the Wright Brothers' Wright Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, and the Bell X-1, with assistance from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. The museum's conservation efforts are supported by the Air Force Museum Foundation, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the World Monuments Fund.

● Facilities and Expansion

The museum is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, and it occupies a large facility with over 1 million square feet of exhibit space, including the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Air Force Theatre. The museum has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including a major expansion in 2016, which added new exhibit space and improved visitor facilities, with support from United States Congress, National Park Service, and the General Services Administration. The museum also offers a range of educational programs and activities, including guided tours, workshops, and lectures, with contributions from NASA, European Space Agency, and the Planetary Society. The museum's facilities and expansion are supported by the Air Force Museum Foundation, Aeronautics and Astronautics Institute, and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, as well as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. Category:Aviation museums in the United States