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Museum of Aviation (Warner Robins)

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Coordinates: 32°35′24″N 83°35′16″W / 32.59000°N 83.58778°W / 32.59000; -83.58778
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Museum of Aviation
2006 aerial photo of museum buildings and aircraft
Museum of Aviation (Warner Robins) is located in Georgia
Museum of Aviation (Warner Robins)
Location within Georgia
Former name
Southeastern Museum of Aviation
Established1981
LocationRobins Air Force Base, Georgia
Coordinates32°35′24″N 83°35′16″W / 32.59000°N 83.58778°W / 32.59000; -83.58778
TypeMilitary aviation museum
DirectorKen Emery
OwnerUnited States Air Force
Websitehttp://www.museumofaviation.org/

The Museum of Aviation is the second-largest aerospace museum of the United States Air Force. The museum is located just outside Warner Robins, Georgia (near Robins Air Force Base). As of July 2019, the museum included four exhibit buildings and more than 85 historic aircraft, among other exhibits, on its 51 acres (21 ha).[1] The museum is also the home of Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.[2] Admission is free to nearly half-million visitors each year, which makes it the fourth-most-visited museum of the United States Department of Defense.[3]

History

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The Museum of Aviation, originally the Southeastern Museum of Aviation, was founded in 1980, after World War I aviator Guy Orlando Stone offered his collection of aviation memorabilia to Robins Air Force Base under the condition that the base could build a museum to house it.[2] The Air Force approved the museum in late 1980, and the Southeastern Museum of Aviation Foundation, a non-profit Organization, was incorporated in 1981 with the support of local civilians and base officials.[2] Also in 1981, the Air Force Logistics Command, under General James P. Mullins, created its Heritage Program to preserve the history of Air Force logistics. The museum became a part of the base's contribution to the program.[2]

The museum opened its first office in 1982 after the acquisition of another private collection.[2] That same year, the Air Force approved the museum's ten-year plan, and fundraising efforts began to collect the $9.5 million in projected construction costs for a permanent museum facility.[2] The museum's first airplane arrived in 1983; a total of twenty-seven airplanes were acquired over the course of the year. The museum officially opened to the public in November 1984 with twenty planes on display and twenty more being restored.[4]

By 1988, the museum's name had changed to the Museum of Aviation at Robins.[5]

In 1989, Georgia governor Joe Frank Harris signed legislation to create the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, to be housed at the museum.[6] Among the original inductees included Stone, whose collections had helped launch the museum.[2][7]

In the 1990's, museum facilities expanded with addition of the "Hangar One" exhibit space in a former aircraft hangar.[5] In 1992, the museum dedicated its 60,000-square-foot "Phase II" facility, later named the Eagle Building, which housed a theater, a diorama, and more aircraft, among other exhibits.[5] In 1996, the "Century of Flight Hangar" added an additional 60,000 square feet.[5]

In 2013, the museum announced that thirty-two aircraft were to be removed from display.[8] Some of these were relocated to other museums, while others were scrapped on-site.

In 2019, the museum unveiled a statue of Eugene Bullard, the first African-American pilot to fly in combat. Bullard, a native of Columbus, Georgia, served in the "Aéronautique Militaire", or French Air Force during World War I. He was posthumously commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in 1994.[9]

A team disassembled a C-47 at the Museum of Alaska Transportation & Industry in preparation to move it to the museum in June 2024.[10]

Aircraft on display

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Curtiss P-40N Warhawk
North American P-51D Mustang
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle
Rockwell B-1B Lancer
B-52D

Bombers

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Cargo aircraft

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Fighters

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Helicopters

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Missiles and drones

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Trainers

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Special aircraft

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The SR-71 Blackbird on display is the current record holder for the fastest flight airspeed. Serial number 61-7958 set an absolute speed record of 1,905.81 knots (2,193.2 mph; 3,529.6 km/h) on July 28, 1976, which stands today.[81]

Education Center

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ACE Field Trip

The museum includes a non-profit education center called the National STEM Academy. The academy offers field trips and independent programs that integrate STEM disciplines with humanities subjects such as history and literature. These programs focus on career opportunities and workforce development. Activities, including field trips, workshops, and special events, are conducted at the Museum of Aviation, at school sites through outreach programs, and via live virtual field trips.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Visit | Museum of Aviation". 2023-09-19. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Head, William; Iobst, Richard W. (Summer 1992). "Preserving the History of Air Power Logistics in the Southeast: The First Decade of the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFВ, Georgia" (PDF). Air Force Journal of Logistics: 25–29.
  3. ^ Museum of Aviation Donor Guide (PDF). Museum of Aviation Foundation. pp. 3–4.
  4. ^ "About the Museum of Aviation". Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  5. ^ a b c d Head, William; Truluck, Diane H. (1997). A History of the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB, The Crown Jewel of Georgia (PDF). Office of History, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center.
  6. ^ "Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame: About". gaaviationhalloffame. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  7. ^ "Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame: Hall of Fame". gaaviationhalloffame. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  8. ^ Crenshaw, Wayne (23 March 2013). "Museum of Aviation dropping 32 aircraft". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  9. ^ Prior, Ryan (2019-10-09). "The first African-American fighter pilot now has a statue at an aviation museum in Georgia". CNN. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
  10. ^ Dale, Raina (26 June 2024). "Preserving a Piece of History". Robins Air Force Base. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  11. ^ "B-17G "Flying Fortress" Undergoing Restoration". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  12. ^ "B-29B "Superfortress"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  13. ^ "B-52D "Stratofortress"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  14. ^ "VB-26B "Invader"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  15. ^ "WB-66D "Destroyer"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  16. ^ a b "LOANED AIRCRAFT BY LOC" (PDF). National Museum of the United States Air Force. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  17. ^ "B-57B "Canberra"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  18. ^ "B-1B "Lancer"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  19. ^ "C-45G "Expeditor" Undergoing Restoration". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  20. ^ "EC-135N "Stratotanker"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  21. ^ "KC-97L "Stratofreighter"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  22. ^ "UC-78B "Bamboo Bomber"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  23. ^ "C-46D "Commando"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  24. ^ "C-7A "Caribou"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  25. ^ "C-47B "Skytrain"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  26. ^ "C-54G "Skymaster"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  27. ^ "C-119C "Flying Boxcar"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  28. ^ "C-123K "Provider"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  29. ^ "C-124C "Globemaster II"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  30. ^ "AC-130A "Spectre"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  31. ^ "C-130E "Hercules"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  32. ^ "C-141C "Starlifter"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  33. ^ "EC-121K "Constellation"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  34. ^ "VC-140B "JetStar"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  35. ^ "A-37A "Dragonfly"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  36. ^ "F-102A "Delta Dagger"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  37. ^ "F-106A "Delta Dart"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  38. ^ "P-40N "Warhawk"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  39. ^ "A-10A "Thunderbolt II"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  40. ^ "F-16A "Fighting Falcon"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  41. ^ "F-111E "Aardvark"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  42. ^ "F-80C "Shooting Star"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  43. ^ "F-101F "Voodoo"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  44. ^ "F-4D "Phantom II"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  45. ^ "F-15A "Eagle"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  46. ^ Espinosa, Shellie-Anne (28 June 2019). "F-15A becomes signature aircraft at Museum of Aviation". Robins Air Force Base. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  47. ^ "RF-101C "Voodoo"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  48. ^ "MiG-17 "Fresco"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  49. ^ "MiG-21". 9 August 2022.
  50. ^ "F-86H "Sabre"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  51. ^ "F-100D "Super Sabre"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  52. ^ "P-51H "Mustang"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  53. ^ "F-89J "Scorpion"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  54. ^ "F-84E "Thunderjet"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  55. ^ "F-105D "Thunderchief"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  56. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Bell UH-1F-BF Iroquois, s/n 65-7959 USAF, c/n 7100". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  57. ^ "UH-1P "Iroquois"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  58. ^ "HH-43F "Huskie"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  59. ^ "UH-19D "Chickasaw"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  60. ^ "HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  61. ^ "MH-53M "Pave Low"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  62. ^ "CH-21B "Workhorse"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  63. ^ "AGM-28A "Hound Dog"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  64. ^ "AQM-34N "Firebee"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  65. ^ "AQM-34V "Firebee II"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  66. ^ "BQM-34A-53 "Firebee"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  67. ^ "BQM-34F "Firebee II"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  68. ^ "MGM-13A "Mace"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  69. ^ "MQM-107D "Streaker"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  70. ^ "RQ-4A "Global Hawk"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  71. ^ "TM-61A "Matador"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  72. ^ "PT-17 "Kaydet"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  73. ^ "T-37B "Tweet"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  74. ^ "PT-19A "Cornell"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  75. ^ "T-33A "Shooting Star"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  76. ^ "T-6G "Texan"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  77. ^ "T-28A "Trojan"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  78. ^ "T-39A "Sabreliner"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  79. ^ "PT-22 "Recruit"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  80. ^ "BT-13B "Valiant"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  81. ^ A-12, YF-12A, & SR-71 Timeline of Events
  82. ^ "L-16B "Grasshopper"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  83. ^ "L-19A (O-1E) "Bird Dog"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  84. ^ "O-2A "Skymaster"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  85. ^ "U-3B "Blue Canoe"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  86. ^ "U-6A "Beaver"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  87. ^ "AIRCRAFT PROJECTS". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  88. ^ "U-10B "Super Courier"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  89. ^ "USAF Serial Number Search Results". cgibin.rcn.com. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  90. ^ "TG-4A "Yankee Doodle"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  91. ^ "SR-71A "Blackbird"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  92. ^ "U-2C "Dragon Lady"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  93. ^ "OV-10A "Bronco"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  94. ^ "L-5E "Sentinel"". Museum of Aviation Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
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