Jeff

Add the Boeing one just north of Seattle. Lots of birds (many old
one's) and you walk around and are close enough to touch. I talked to
the group working on their F-104 and leaned on it as I told them some
War Stories they didn't know about The midgets and some early
operational problems the first 104 Sq at Hamilton AFB had.

On the USAF Museum at W/P, they also have a lot of memorabilia. For
example I sent them a copy of the only surviving copy of the the
Ashyia Song Book of Fighter Pilot Drinking Songs from the Pacific area
in WWII (dirty, dirty, dirty ) The one on the cover was "Don't burn
the S*** H**** down.....or we'll have to go (S***) on the floor" Theme
song of 8th Fighter Group. (P-51's). I have queried them at W/P on
numerous occasions and they were able or research and answer my
questions.

I just hope all the museums continue to obtain financing so they will
stay open for decades.

Big John


On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 16:34:40 -0600, "Jeff Franks"
wrote:

I've never been to Omaha, so I can't speak to it.

My favorite is/was the Garber facility (part of the NASM in DC). If you've
never been there, you have to take a bus (or taxi) at the back side of the
main NASM building. Its the warehouse that they store all of the stuff
that's not on the floor of the NASM. They also do all the restorations and
all there. Now with the new facility opening at the airport, I don't know
how much will be at the Garber site. The time I was there, they had
building after building of old airplanes just sitting around. Wasn't a
museum setup by any stretch. More like the "Aeromart" at OSH, but with full
planes and history to boot

As much as I'm glad to see them get these things out in the display area, it
will be a shame if the Garber buildings are emptied. It's really a aviation
lovers dream. You'd be walking along stepping around a pile of aluminum and
bump into the Enola Gay lol.

As for pure quality of the display planes, I'd put the EAA's up at the top.
The USAF and USN Museums seem to care less about the display quality of the
paint and such. Some of the planes look as if they were just pulled out of
the desert right before they were crushed....er..demilitarized.

Anyway, your question. Overall enjoyment of the museum from all aspects:

1. NASM, DC (if you let me include Garber)
2. USAF, Dayton
3. EAA, Oshkosh
4. USN, Pensacola

Again, it all depends on what you want to look at :0

Jeff



"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:kKcsb.175666$e01.613975@attbi_s02...
If your in the area be sure to get by there. I've been to lots of air
museum's and I'd put that one in the top 2 or 3.

How would you rate 'em? My rankings would be:

1. USAF Museum in Dayton
2. National Air & Space Museum in D.C.
3. SAC Museum in Omaha.

This will almost certainly change when the NASM puts more planes on
display.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"