Today we spent several hours at the National Air Force Museum. It is over 800,000 square feet dedicated to documenting the history of flight. The museum houses over 350 aircraft. They are organized mostly by eras of flight. If you like planes, this is a place to visit. Admission is free. They do ask for donations.
The bulk of the museum is old hangers that have been combined into a single structure. It is an interesting combination of styles of architecture that have created a unique building.
You can go where ever you choose, but the plan is for you to begin at the dawn of flight in Kitty Hawk and walk up to today and even slightly into the future.
Because Marlene’s dad was in the Army Air Corps during WWII and then in the Air Force for his career, we spent a long time looking at the displays and planes from his era.
During World War II, he was a mechanic working on P38s in the Pacific theater. We got to see that plane up close and personal. Look at how close they park the aircraft in the museum. The place is packed full of aircraft.
The focus of the museum is military aircraft. You get to see unusual planes like this vertical take off and landing (VTOL). It is half plane and half helicopter. It is flexible, but limited in speed.
They also have some older models of Air Force One in the museum. It is intriguing to see how the planes were modified to serve the president. It is also cozy because they have a narrow one way walkway lined with clear plastic panels to protect the interior of the planes. It is narrow enough that they have installed a gateway at the entry that simulates the passageway so that you know what you are walking into.
Here are a couple of photos from inside an Air Force One of the past.
We got to see many one of a kind aircraft. Some of the experimental aircraft barely look like they could fly.
After we left the museum, we drove to Indianapolis, Indiana. We were headed to a Lou Malnati’s Pizza restaurant for dinner. It was very close to the first house that Steve lived in so after we ordered our pizza, we drove over to take a look while our pizza was being prepared.
The house is much different now. The original house was just the part in the center that has the highest roof line. It was about 625 square feet. The house is now almost three times as big as it was. It is both interesting and weird at the same time to visit a previous home.
We have enjoyed Lou Malnati’s pizza since we first tried it in Chicago. Tonight was no exception. We always get two great meals from the one deep dish pizza.
After dinner we drove to our hotel. Will will see more of Indianapolis in the morning.