Visit to NMoUSAF

Tue May 20, 2008 9:30 pm

I'll be making a visit to the National Museum of the US Air Force (for the 1st time) early next week. Anything I should look out for in particular? Anything else nearby worth de-touring for?

Any and all advice/suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!
Tommy

Tue May 20, 2008 9:33 pm

How long do you have to tour the museum? Have you ever been there before?

Tue May 20, 2008 9:35 pm

1st time! I will have all day! Possibilities are endless!

Tommy

Tue May 20, 2008 9:42 pm

Well, the first thing to do is sign up for the PResidential Hangar and R/D tour. The busses fill up fast. THere you will find test aircraft and the former Air Force One aircraft. Tours last about an hour. You can also try and ask if the tours for the restoration shop are full. Sometimes people drop out, and you can get in there. There you will find the aircraft under restoration including the Memphis Belle. After that you can start in the Early Years and work your way through everything. I would save the IMAX and stuff until last, to ensure that you see all of the aircraft. After the museum closes at 5, the Wright Memorial, and the flying field. Then be sure to drive around the runway, to see the C-5's.

Tue May 20, 2008 10:06 pm

Mustang driver as the right idea. The coolest parts are on the tour. There just isn't enought time to see everything in one day, so hit the tours first then pick a time period (eg WWII) that most interests you.

Mike

Wed May 21, 2008 5:03 am

You can also try and ask if the tours for the restoration shop are full.

I thought they only did the Restoration tours on Fridays. Have they opened them up for the whole week? That'd be sweet!

I first visited the museum 30 years ago, and have been going once or twice a year for the past 20..and I have never bothered with the IMAX theatre. These days they're all over the place anyway. My girlfriend also loves the place..after closing we usually go up to the Wright Brothers Memorial and have a picnic. It's in a beautiful hilltop park overlooking the Patterson Field runways.

SN

Wed May 21, 2008 5:13 am

No they are still on Fridays. It never hurts to ask the guys over at the R/D Hangar if one of them can let you over to see the Belle. They will do it, if there are enough of them to go around.

Wed May 21, 2008 5:47 am

Mustangdriver,
Any chance of getting a picture of the top of the B-29? I've noticed some office windows overlooking the plane from the second floor - above and to the left rear of the aircraft as you look at it from the nose. Not sure whats up there or how to get up there when I visited. Just curious...

Wed May 21, 2008 6:11 am

Yeah that is not a big deal. If you ask the people at the front desk what you want to do, they can call someone to escort you up there. Through the week is easier to do that, as there are more office people there. That room is an education room. We hold our training and small meetings and research in there. You can get some great panoramic shots of the WWII Gallery from there.

Wed May 21, 2008 6:44 am

I've found the docents at the museum very agreeable to special requests, as long as you ask politely. They've let me behind the barricades to photograph nook and crannies of a number of aircraft, although usually only on a slow weekday when there aren't many people around.

SN

Wed May 21, 2008 6:46 am

Sweet idea...I shall ask the next time I am there stangdriver. Or are you gonna post a pic of me at the museum entrance forbidding me to enter???

All kidding aside, for a first time visitor, if you are going to be taking pictures, best advice is to take a camera with a REALLY BRIGHT flash! Someone on here said that they had an external flash that worked very well also.

Darrell the NMUSAF lover :twisted:

Wed May 21, 2008 6:59 am

As I aalways say pal, we all have our disagreements here, but that is because we are all very passionate about warbirds. If and when we meet in person, it will be over beers.

Wed May 21, 2008 9:19 am

I've never had much luck with a flash in the museum. Even with a bright one, you end up with a washed-out foreground, but everything further back quickly fades into darkness. The only time I use flash is for closeups of specific details. If you want good overall shots, your best bet is to use a tripod and a long exposure (I use one or two seconds for digital..back when I was shooting film I'd go as long as 30!)

SN

Wed May 21, 2008 10:08 am

And for something completely different,

There's a Packard auto museum in Dayton as well, http://www.americaspackardmuseum.org/

Regards,

Wed May 21, 2008 10:53 am

My best shots in the museum were without a flash. Just hold still...