National Museum of the USAF - Dayton, OH

[ssims]

Here are some shots from the "National Museum of the USAF" located in Dayton, Ohio. A friend and I visited the museum when we were in town for the airshow.


Boeing P-26 Peashooter

The P-26 was the last Boeing fighter to enter service (December 1933) with the US military until Boeing acquired McDonnell-Douglas with production and continuing support contracts for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in 2002.


OA-10 PBY Catalina

During World War II, PBYs were used in anti-submarine warfare, patrol bombing, convoy escorts, search and rescue missions (especially air-sea rescue), and cargo transport. The PBY was the most successful aircraft of its kind; no other flying boat was produced in greater numbers. The last active military PBYs were not retired from service until the 1980s. Even today, over seventy years after its first flight, the aircraft continues to fly as an airtanker in aerial firefighting operations all over the world.


Another angle of the OA-10

[SoxAddict]

Lovely sharp shots. I really enjoy military stuff like this. Especially like the contrast in the first one.

[equilution]

Always love good airplane shots!! I love how the planes get a new lease on life after they've finished their original mission! Did you have a chance to see the Memphis Belle? Is it on display yet? I worked on the Memphis Belle restoration when it was still in Memphis---before some self-important general in Dayton came in and yanked it out from under us! Thanks for sharing.

Jim

[Riclopz]

Incredible sharpness, very nice shots!!

[ssims]

Originally Posted by equilution

Always love good airplane shots!! I love how the planes get a new lease on life after they've finished their original mission! Did you have a chance to see the Memphis Belle? Is it on display yet? I worked on the Memphis Belle restoration when it was still in Memphis---before some self-important general in Dayton came in and yanked it out from under us! Thanks for sharing.

Jim

Jim,

No, the Memphis Belle wasn't out when we were there (back in July). I will definitely be going back in a few years with my sons (joining the family Dec/Jan). That place is awesome and HUGE. Three hangers full of displays organized by era, plus the missile silo, presidential/experimental hanger, and the restoration hanger (we didn't get over to this one because we only had one day).

I'll see if I have any other good shots and post them next week. I was shooting hand-held and the lighting in there is nice to the eye but wreaks havoc with the camera.

-Sean