Warbird Information Exchange

I have a few days off from my airline job and am bored off my $&! and am thinking about jumpseating up to Dayton to go check out the museum. Is there a way to get over there from the airport without having to rent a car. I'm broke with some time on my hands.

Any other museums I can go check out with 2 or 3 days off? I'm also thinking about the Museum of Flight in Seattle so I'm open to suggestions. Really dont want to rent a car if I have to

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."

About 5 years ago I went back east to see some relatives with my dad and brother. I left early to go to the air force museum. Didn't plan it very well. Found a hotel they said was right across the street from the museum. As the crow flies, it was about a half mile from the main museum building, but when I had to walk there it turned into about 2+ miles because of the round about way you had to go to get to the entrance to the museum.
As for close to the airport, I hopped in a cab and told him where to go, and $58 dollars later I arrived at my hotel. I don't know if there were busses that went to it or not, but it not really an easy place to get to from the airport unless you have/rent a car.
But, it was worth every penny I spent getting there and seeing it. You will have a great time if you go and allow at least 2 full days to see it all. Also, go on the tour that takes you to the auxillary buildings...the
XB-70 is really impressinve and one of the few jet powered aircraft there that still has the original engines in it.

You may have to spend a few bucks getting there, but once you do everything is pretty much free. You'll need two days. Comfortable shoes, and a camera are a must. There is now a hotel right across the street from the main gate. I believe a Comfort Inn and suites. Tell them you are there for the museum and they give you a discount.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Are you in the Reserves or Guard? I'm not sure, but most major basis have shuttle buses from the Airport to the Base. You would have to have your ID card. If you do you could call the MATO office, or whatever they call it in the AF. You would still, probably have to pay for the bus, but it would be cheaper than a cab. I'm too far away or I would give you a ride. But Dayton is an hour and half away from me.

If you do end up renting a vehicle, you can always visit the Champaign Lady restoration in Urbana. It's about a 40 min drive from the museum. Probably the only museum around where you can show up, pick up a tool, and they will put you to work!

If you're there on a Friday, take in the Restoration area tour...that way you can see the Memphis Belle and Swoose.
Combined with the Shoo Shoo Baby and the Urbana rebuild, you'll have plenty of B-17s to see.

Also, if you do rent a car, check out the Packard Museum downtowm. IIRC, they have some inline V-12, but not a Merlin. But plenty of great cars.

My opinion, rent a car, chaeper than a cab from Dayton Intl.
Or call the Museum, ask about a bus from the airport. My guess is you'd have to go downtown, then take a transfer bus to he base. Might take at least an hour.

Last year I checked at the hotel across from the Museum, it was $80-90 dollars a night, so I stayed at a Red Roof Inn on I-75...which had plenty of eating places nearby.
Xrayist is correct, it's close by the Museum, but not an easy walk thanks to fences...

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

I'm on reserve for my airline, just sitting around trying to figure out what I can do to occupy my time without being more than an hours drive.

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate the info. When I have 3 or 4 days off, if I don't go see my girl, I'll head up there. I'm looking forward to it.

Do I need a rental car for the museum of flight from SeaTac?

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."

You have obviously never visited the Connecticut Air & Space Center, Bring a camera and a tool box when you visit.

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Andrew King
Air Museum Director with no Museum to Direct
Open to Suggestions

Probably not, a cab would suffice. It's not that far so prices should be okay.
Not being a local I don't know about a bus...but there are no trains...probably because there aren't any airline ops from Boeing field.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

I would enjoy that. Last time I was at the 8th AF museum I asked the restoration crew if I could help by turning some wrenches. Where is the nearest airport with airline service for the Connecticut musuem? Can I sit in the Corsair????!!!

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."