Air Force Armament Museum: Difference between revisions

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*[[Bell Helicopter|Bell]] [[UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1M-BF Iroquois]], ''66-15186'', built as UH-1C-BF, modified for night attack; served with various [[U.S. Army]] units in Southeast Asia; acquired by the museum, December 1999, marked as Eglin aircraft with "ET" tailcode.
*[[Bell Helicopter|Bell]] [[UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1M-BF Iroquois]], ''66-15186'', built as UH-1C-BF, modified for night attack; served with various [[U.S. Army]] units in Southeast Asia; acquired by the museum, December 1999, marked as Eglin aircraft with "ET" tailcode.
*[[Boeing]] [[B-17 Flying Fortress|B-17G-97-DL Flying Fortress]], ''44-83863'', then [[U.S. Navy]] PB-1W, BuNo ''77231'', then civilian firebomber ''N5233V'',<ref>Thompson, Scott A. ''Final Cut: The Post War B-17 Flying Fortress, The Survivors: Revised and Updated Edition''. Highland County, Ohio: Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, 2000. ISBN 1-57510-077-0.</ref> marked as aircraft of the 96th Bomb Wing which evolved into the [[96th Air Base Wing]], Eglin's resident unit.<ref>[http://www.warbirdregistry.org/b17registry/b17-4483863.html B-17 Registry] at WarbirdRegistry.com.</ref> Previously marked as ''44-6106'', "Gremlin's Hideout", and as ''44-83863'', "[[Oh, Wicked Wanda|Wicked Wanda]]". It arrived at Eglin 19 June 1975 from [[Aero Union]], Chico, California, who operated it as firebomber 71/D1. Ironically, of the approximately 43 surviving intact B-17s world wide, nine were assigned to Eglin with drone groups, but this is not one of them.<ref>Thompson, Scott A., "Final Cut - The Post-War B-17 Flying Fortress: The Survivors", Revised Edition, Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, Missoula, Montana,2000, ISBN 1-57510-077-0, page 148.</ref>
*[[Boeing]] [[B-17 Flying Fortress|B-17G-97-DL Flying Fortress]], ''44-83863'', then [[U.S. Navy]] PB-1W, BuNo ''77231'', then civilian firebomber ''N5233V'',<ref>Thompson, Scott A. ''Final Cut: The Post War B-17 Flying Fortress, The Survivors: Revised and Updated Edition''. Highland County, Ohio: Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, 2000. ISBN 1-57510-077-0.</ref> marked as aircraft of the 96th Bomb Wing which evolved into the [[96th Air Base Wing]], Eglin's resident unit.<ref>[http://www.warbirdregistry.org/b17registry/b17-4483863.html B-17 Registry] at WarbirdRegistry.com.</ref> Previously marked as ''44-6106'', "Gremlin's Hideout", and as ''44-83863'', "[[Oh, Wicked Wanda|Wicked Wanda]]". It arrived at Eglin 19 June 1975 from [[Aero Union]], Chico, California, who operated it as firebomber 71/D1. Ironically, of the approximately 43 surviving intact B-17s world wide, nine were assigned to Eglin with drone groups, but this is not one of them.<ref>Thompson, Scott A., "Final Cut - The Post-War B-17 Flying Fortress: The Survivors", Revised Edition, Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, Missoula, Montana,2000, ISBN 1-57510-077-0, page 148.</ref>
*[[Boeing]] [[B-47 Stratojet|ERB-47H-1-BW Stratojet]] <ref>http://www.b-47.com/history/ch21/b-47ch21.html</ref>, ''53-4296'', retired to storage 29 December 1967, last USAF B-47 in active service <ref>Knaack, Marcelle Size. ''Post-World War II Bombers, 1945-1973'', Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, 1988, ISBN 0-16-002260-6, page 154.</ref>, a reconnaissance variant with the [[55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing]]; returned to duty from [[MASDC]], [[Davis-Monthan AFB]], [[Arizona]],16 July 1968, bailed to [[North American Aviation]], Inglewood, California for tests of F-111 radar system by the [[Air Force Research Laboratory|Air Force Avionics Laboratory]]. Upon completion of this program, flown to [[Eglin AFB]] circa 1976. Has had both the F-111 radome and stubby RB-47H nose replaced with standard bomber nose, making it a bastardized configuration. Displayed in typical [[Strategic Air Command]] markings.<ref>Lloyd, Alwyn T., "Boeing's B-47 Stratojet", Specialty Press, North Branch, Minnesota, 2005, ISBN 978-1-58007-071-3, pages 209-210.</ref>
*[[Boeing]] [[B-47 Stratojet|ERB-47H-1-BW Stratojet]] <ref>http://www.b-47.com/history/ch21/b-47ch21.html</ref>, ''53-4296'', retired to storage 29 December 1967, last USAF B-47 in active service <ref>Knaack, Marcelle Size. ''Post-World War II Bombers, 1945-1973'', Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, 1988, ISBN 0-16-002260-6, page 154.</ref>, a reconnaissance variant with the [[55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing]]; returned to duty from [[MASDC]], [[Davis-Monthan AFB]], [[Arizona]],16 July 1968, bailed to [[North American Aviation]], Inglewood, California for tests of F-111 radar system by the [[Air Force Research Laboratory|Air Force Avionics Laboratory]]. Upon completion of this program, flown to [[Eglin AFB]] circa 1976. Has had both the F-111 radome and stubby RB-47H nose replaced with standard bomber nose, making it a bastardized configuration. Displayed in typical [[Strategic Air Command]] markings.<ref>Lloyd, Alwyn T., "Boeing's B-47 Stratojet", Specialty Press, North Branch, Minnesota, 2005, ISBN 978-1-58007-071-3, pages 209-210.</ref> ERB-47H was the designation assigned to three RB-47Hs (''53-6245/6246'' and ''6249'') modified as special reconnaissance aircraft designed to detect and locate surface radar stations. Normal flight crew was three, but an additional two crew members could be carried in a bomb bay pod along with the special equipment. <ref>http://www.b-47.com/history/ch22/b-47ch22.html</ref>
*[[Boeing]] [[B-52 Stratofortress|B-52G-95-BW Stratofortress]], ''58-0185'', "El Lobo II", first assigned to the [[List of USAF Strategic Wings assigned to the Strategic Air Command|4135th Strategic Wing]], [[Strategic Air Command]], Eglin AFB, September 1959; last assigned to the [[2nd Bomb Wing]], [[Barksdale AFB]], Louisiana, during which time it flew missions in [[Desert Storm]]. The bomber arrived at Eglin on 16 July 1991 and was moved to the museum a month later.<ref>Forst, Lee, "''B-52G comes home to Eglin''", Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Wednesday 17 July 1991.</ref>
*[[Boeing]] [[B-52 Stratofortress|B-52G-95-BW Stratofortress]], ''58-0185'', "El Lobo II", first assigned to the [[List of USAF Strategic Wings assigned to the Strategic Air Command|4135th Strategic Wing]], [[Strategic Air Command]], Eglin AFB, September 1959; last assigned to the [[2nd Bomb Wing]], [[Barksdale AFB]], Louisiana, during which time it flew missions in [[Desert Storm]]. The bomber arrived at Eglin on 16 July 1991 and was moved to the museum a month later.<ref>Forst, Lee, "''B-52G comes home to Eglin''", Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Wednesday 17 July 1991.</ref>
*[[Cessna]] [[O-2 Skymaster|O-2A Skymaster]], ''67-21331'', c/n 337M-0037, sold into civilian use after end of war in Southeast Asia, reacquired by [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]], displayed in Vietnam War-era flat black with red markings scheme, marked as ''68-6864'', c/n 337M-0153.
*[[Cessna]] [[O-2 Skymaster|O-2A Skymaster]], ''67-21331'', c/n 337M-0037, sold into civilian use after end of war in Southeast Asia, reacquired by [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]], displayed in Vietnam War-era flat black with red markings scheme, marked as ''68-6864'', c/n 337M-0153.

Revision as of 22:19, 23 February 2011

Air Force Armament Museum
GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) weapon on display at the Air Force Armament Museum.
Air Force Armament Museum is located in Florida
Air Force Armament Museum
Location within Florida
Established1975
LocationEglin Air Force Base, Florida
Websitehttp://www.afarmamentmuseum.com

The Air Force Armament Museum, adjacent to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the only facility in the U.S. dedicated to the display of Air Force armament. Founded in 1975, it was originally located in a converted gymnasium on the northeastern edge of the Eglin main base, adjacent to Valparaiso, Florida.

Visitors can view a variety of historical Air Force planes, from a World War II B-17 bomber to an F-4 Phantom II jet. A wide variety of bombs, missiles, and rockets are exhibited, including the newest air-to-air missile, the AMRAAM, and the GBU-28 bunker-buster developed for use during Operation Desert Storm. Other missiles include the Paveway series, Falcons, the Tomahawk, Mace, Hound Dog, radar-controlled, laser-controlled and several guided by a TV camera in the nose. Also on display is the GBU-43 MOAB, Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or by its nickname, "Mother of All Bombs", the world's largest conventional explosive weapon. A predecessor, the T12 38,600 lb. demolition bomb, is also displayed.

A gun vault displays a variety of weapons ranging from a 1903 Springfield rifle to the GAU-8, which is capable of shooting 6,000 rounds per minute. Featured here is the Sikes Antique Pistol Collection, with over 180 handguns, including flintlocks, duelling pistols, Western six-shooters, Civil War pistols, and a wide variety of early military weaponry.

History

Discussion of the founding of a facility dedicated to the history of the development of armaments took place at Eglin Air Force Base as early as 1972, but it wasn't until 1974 that it was conceived and approved. A former World War II-era gymnasium turned Enlisted Club near the old Main Gate to Valparaiso was adapted in 1975-1976 for the infant collection. The earliest exhibits gathered included the CGM-13 Mace missile, the F-84F, the F-101B, the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-25 Mitchell that had been displayed in Valparaiso-Niceville since 1960. Also popular was a Ryan Model 47 Firebee painted as a shark. The museum occupied these wooden quarters until the structure was condemned in 1981 and the museum closed in October. The AFAM Foundation, incorporated in 1976 as an IRS 501(c)(3) philanthropic non-profit organization, then embarked on a lengthy search for a new site and began raising funds for a new building. By mid-1985, $1.2 million in private and corporate donations had been raised and construction of a new 28,000 square foot Museum was underway and in November of the same year, the new Museum was deeded to the United States Air Force and opened to the public. The Foundation is currently engaged in raising $1.5 million for new educational annex. [1]

Aircraft displays

Indoors

Outdoors

References

  1. ^ http://afarmamentmuseum.com/history_foundation.shtml
  2. ^ Baker, David, "Flight and Flying: A Chronology", Facts On File, Inc., New York, New York, 1994, Library of Congress card number 92-31491, ISBN 0-8160-1854-5, page 328.
  3. ^ P-47 Registry at WarbirdRegistry.com.
  4. ^ "P-47N Porno Page", Replica In Scale, San Antonio, Texas, November 1972, Volume 1, Number 2, page 49.
  5. ^ Thompson, Scott A. Final Cut: The Post War B-17 Flying Fortress, The Survivors: Revised and Updated Edition. Highland County, Ohio: Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, 2000. ISBN 1-57510-077-0.
  6. ^ B-17 Registry at WarbirdRegistry.com.
  7. ^ Thompson, Scott A., "Final Cut - The Post-War B-17 Flying Fortress: The Survivors", Revised Edition, Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, Missoula, Montana,2000, ISBN 1-57510-077-0, page 148.
  8. ^ http://www.b-47.com/history/ch21/b-47ch21.html
  9. ^ Knaack, Marcelle Size. Post-World War II Bombers, 1945-1973, Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, 1988, ISBN 0-16-002260-6, page 154.
  10. ^ Lloyd, Alwyn T., "Boeing's B-47 Stratojet", Specialty Press, North Branch, Minnesota, 2005, ISBN 978-1-58007-071-3, pages 209-210.
  11. ^ http://www.b-47.com/history/ch22/b-47ch22.html
  12. ^ Forst, Lee, "B-52G comes home to Eglin", Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Wednesday 17 July 1991.
  13. ^ C-131 Registry at WarbirdRegistry.com.
  14. ^ http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/kc47.pdf
  15. ^ Olausson, Lars, Lockheed Hercules Production List - 1954-2009 - 26th ed., Såtenäs, Sweden, April 2008. Self-published. No ISBN, page 2.
  16. ^ C-130 Registry at WarbirdRegistry.com.
  17. ^ F-104 Registry at WarbirdRegistry.com.
  18. ^ Crickmore, Paul F. "Lockheed's Blackbirds: A-12, YF-12 and SR-71", Wings of Fame, Volume 8, AIRtime Publishing Inc., Westport, Connecticut, 1997, ISBN 1-880588-23-4.
  19. ^ [1]
  20. ^ http://www.rotorheadsrus.us/documents/Last%20flight%20for%20the%20Pave%20Low%20near%20Shalimar.pdf
  21. ^ MiG-21 Registry at WarbirdRegistry.com.
  22. ^ Davies, Steve, "Red Eagles: America's Secret MiGs", Osprey Publishing, Botley, Oxford, UK, 2008, ISBN 978-1-84603-378-0, page 328.
  23. ^ Davies, Steve, "Red Eagles: America's Secret MiGs", Osprey Publishing, Botley, Oxford, UK, 2008, ISBN 978-1-84603-378-0, photo cutline, page 347.
  24. ^ Fort Walton Beach, Florida, "Doolittle Park Will Have AF B-25 Bomber", Playground News, Thursday, 10 March 1960, Volume 15, Number 7, page 10,
  25. ^ Special, "B-25 Makes Last Flight During Ceremony at Eglin", Playground News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Thursday 26 May 1960, Volume 15, Number "17" (actually No. 18), page 2.
  26. ^ F-100 Registry at WarbirdRegistry.com.
  27. ^ F-84 Registry at WarbirdRegistry.com.
  28. ^ http://www.rotorheadsrus.us/documents/Last%20flight%20for%20the%20Pave%20Low%20near%20Shalimar.pdf

External links