Tag: USAF Museum

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USAF Museum Releases New Photos Detailing Bleriot XI Restoration

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio has provided the best glimpse so far of their ongoing Bleriot XI restoration in a newly posted update.

The type is famous for being the first aircraft to cross the English Channel in July 1909, and it was used by several famous early aviators from Louis Bleriot himself, to Adolphe Pégoud to Harriet Quimby. It even saw service in the early months of WW1. The museum’s specific example was built from factory drawings by Ernest C. Hall of Warren, Ohio in 1911. He donated it to the museum in 1939. It was removed from public display in 2023 for restoration, with work beginning earlier this year.

The new update shows progress on the aircraft’s engine, controls and fuselage. Check it out below.

Continue reading USAF Museum Releases New Photos Detailing Bleriot XI Restoration

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USAF Museum Completes Restoration of Only Remaining Kellett XR-8 [Video]

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio has completed restoration of the world’s only surviving Kellett XR-8 experimental helicopter after countless hours of work by talented volunteers.

Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. The XR-8 first flew on August 7, 1944. Though the XR-8 was a revolutionary design, the Kellett Aircraft Corporation encountered significant problems with stability control and timing the rotors. The company modified the vertical stabilizers in an attempt to resolve some of these issues. Because of these and other complications, Kellett only produced two XR-8s before cancelling the program.

An official photo shoot was carried out on Monday. Plans call for the machine to be placed by the Vertijet in the museum’s R&D Gallery this October. The fabric covering on the left side of the fuselage has been removed to showcase interior views.

Check out a video showing the restoration process and final product below.

Continue reading USAF Museum Completes Restoration of Only Remaining Kellett XR-8 [Video]

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Watch An Overhead Tour of the USAF Museum’s Storage Facility [Video]

The National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, Ohio has released a new video providing an overhead view of some of the rare aircraft housed in the collection’s storage facility.

Aircraft include a Junkers Ju 52, Fiesler Storch, T-33, etc. The museum notes that not all stored machines are seen here, as others can be found in the museum’s restoration hangars.

Click below to check out the new video.

Continue reading Watch An Overhead Tour of the USAF Museum’s Storage Facility [Video]

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USAF Museum Curtiss Jenny On The Move [Video]

On Wednesday, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio lowered their Curtiss Jenny from its suspended position and relocated it to floor display in an area previously occupied by their Avro 504K.

The museum’s Avro is currently undergoing restoration and will reportedly hang above the Jenny in the museum’s Early Years Gallery upon its return to display. To learn more about the Avro restoration, check out the new Fall 2018 edition of The Flying Machine journal.

Click below to check out photos and video of the Jenny’s recent move.

Continue reading USAF Museum Curtiss Jenny On The Move [Video]

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Time-Lapse Video Captures Work on USAF Museum’s Avro 504 Restoration

The USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio is currently in the process of restoring their Avro 504K and recently released a time-lapse video detailing the process of removing fabric from the machine’s fuselage.

As previously reported, this particular example of the famous WW1 British trainer was originally constructed by the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Aircraft Maintenance & Development Unit in 1966-67 using original parts, including a 110 hp Le Rhone rotary engine. It arrived at the USAF Museum in 2003 and has since been on display in its Early Years Gallery wearing the colors of an aerobatic trainer of AEF No. 3 Instruction Center, based at Issoudun, France in 1918.

The next steps will include cleaning the airframe structure and engine and replacing the fabric with a period correct linen.

Click below to check out the new video.

Continue reading Time-Lapse Video Captures Work on USAF Museum’s Avro 504 Restoration

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Promo Video Released For Upcoming WW1 Dawn Patrol Rendezvous

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio has released the first promotional video for the upcoming 2018 Dawn Patrol Rendezvous air show.

The event, offered every other year by the museum and the Great War Aeroplanes Association, will reportedly feature flights of reduced and full-scale replica WWI aircraft, WWI living history re-enactors in a war encampment area, radio-controlled model aircraft, period vehicles, music and a collector’s show of WWI era items. The event will also include guest speakers on WWI topics as well as many family hands-on and educational activities.

Continue reading Promo Video Released For Upcoming WW1 Dawn Patrol Rendezvous

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WW2 Aircraft on the Move at USAF Museum [Video]

The USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio recently moved some of its iconic WW2 warbirds back into position after they were temporarily relocated to provide room for the Memphis Belle exhibit opening back in May. These included the P-51, P-47, P-38 and A-36.

In the process, opportunities were provided to get a better look at the aircraft, resulting in a new series videos that can be seen below.

Continue reading WW2 Aircraft on the Move at USAF Museum [Video]

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USAF Museum Begins Restoration of Avro 504K [Video]

The USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio has begun restoration of its Avro 504K.

This particular example of the famous WW1 British trainer was originally constructed by the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Aircraft Maintenance & Development Unit in 1966-67 using original parts, including a 110 hp Le Rhone rotary engine. It arrived at the USAF Museum in 2003 and has since been on display in its Early Years Gallery wearing the colors of an aerobatic trainer of AEF No. 3 Instruction Center, based at Issoudun, France in 1918.

The aircraft was recently disassembled for transport to the restoration facility, a process that has been captured in the newly released video below. A time frame for completion and color / marking details have not yet been announced. Continue reading USAF Museum Begins Restoration of Avro 504K [Video]

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Memphis Belle Unveiled, Warbirds Fly In At USAF Museum [Video]

Yesterday, the newly restored B-17F “Memphis Belle” was unveiled in a private ceremony at the USAF Museum in Dayton.

Today’s exhibit opening occurs on the 75th anniversary of the machine’s 25th and final mission, after which it returned to the US and toured the country to promote war bonds and boost morale. Described as “a national aviation treasure and widely recognized symbol of American bravery and heroism during WWII,” the new permanent, public display in the collection’s WW2 gallery reportedly includes interactive displays, rare archival film footage and many personal artifacts which have never before been on display at the museum.

The opening also saw the arrival of B-17s, P-51s and a trainer which will be on public display until 3:30 today, with a shuttle bus service bringing visitors to the display area. The aircraft are expected to depart around 5pm (UPDATE: The aircraft departed around 2:45 due to weather concerns).

Click below to check out videos of the Memphis Belle’s unveiling as well as an overview of its restoration, warbird arrivals, and an interview with Robert K. Morgan, son of the Belle’s primary pilot during WW2.

Continue reading Memphis Belle Unveiled, Warbirds Fly In At USAF Museum [Video]

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USAF Museum’s Memphis Belle Unveiling Festivities Begin With B-17, P-51 Flyover [Video]

Earlier today, three B-17s and five P-51s flew over the USAF Museum in Dayton as festivities get underway for the unveiling of the historic B-17F “Memphis Belle” on Thursday.

The aircraft, which included B-17Gs “Yankee Lady” and “Aluminum Overcast” and B-17G/F “Movie Memphis Belle,” were prevented from landing at the museum due to weather conditions and instead performed as mass flyover which can be seen in the videos below.

As previously reported, the main focus of the three-day celebratory event (May 17-19, 2018) will be the debut of the newly restored Memphis Belle in the museum’s WW2 gallery. In addition, more than 160 WW2 reenactors are expected as well as historic vehicles, memorabilia and artifact displays, music from the era, guest speakers, book signings and films. Continue reading USAF Museum’s Memphis Belle Unveiling Festivities Begin With B-17, P-51 Flyover [Video]