The oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force base in Dayton Ohio. No trip to Ohio would be completed without a stop for a visit.
This is a FREE museum (Patricia's favorite word) that has over 360 aircraft on display. The displays start with the very beginning of flight (Wright Brothers) and follows the evolution to modern aircraft. Reviewing the evolution of aircraft also gives you history lesson in the past conflicts and wars that these aircraft supported. It's not just about the aircraft but also about the progress of technology, people, and the world.
This is my 3rd visit to the museum but it never gets old. I find something new every time I come here. The museum is also constantly changing. A 4th hangar has been added since my last visit and the collection keeps getting larger.
My Dad was a full-timer in SDANG 114th Fighter Wing (South Dakota Air National Guard) retiring as a Senior Master Sargent (Flight Line Chief). He started not too long after the Guard unit was established in Sioux Falls when they only had two P-51 Mustangs on the flight line. His career followed a long list of aircraft transitions: P-51D Mustang, Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, F-94A/B Starfire, Northrop F-89 Scorpion, Convair F-102A Delta Dagger, F-100D Super Sabre, and A-7D Corsair II. He retired just as they were about to transition to F-16's. I had the pleasure of growing up around these aircraft as I was allowed access to much of the base during my youth and it is fun to see these aircraft again in person.
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