The United States has a rich history when it comes to warplanes. With hundreds of thousands of planes developed, particularly during the Second World War, there is no shortage of preserved warplanes in US museums. Some museums are, of course, better than others for preserving and displaying various kinds of aircraft used during multiple major wars in the twentieth century. This article explores some of the top US museums for preserved warplanes.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF)
Most prominent warplanes
We will not be doing justice to the topic without beginning with the oldest and the world’s largest military aviation museum. Located within the Wright Pattern Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, this national museum has over 350 aircraft on display, plus a range of missiles and other aviation artifacts. Established in 1923, the site features nine different display galleries.
,
Smithsonian Museums
Most prominent warplanes
The Air and Space Museums in Washington DC and Udvar-Hazy Center outside of Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) in Chantilly, Virginia have preserved large collections of warplanes. From World War I and II to the Korean War and the Cold War, numerous types of aircraft and artifacts await visitors in the two museums.
Preserved aircraft range from single-engine piston aircraft to multi-engine fighters and supersonic jets. The popular Cold War airplane Lockheed SR-71 is housed at the Udvar-Hazy Center.
The Military Aviation Museum
Popular for WWI and WWII aircraft displays
It is another historic museum in Virginia that features a wide range of warplanes. The museum is known for its World War I and World War II exhibits, featuring Fokkers, Triplanes, Scouts, and Strutters from WWI and Spitfires, Mustangs, and Corsairs from WWII. The museum also offers several prominent WWII structures, including the Goxhill Watch Office, a Cottbus Hangar, and a control tower used by the US 8th Air Force in England.
states,
Over on the pacific side
The Palm Springs Museum in California, the AFFTC Museum at Edwards AFB, and Blackbird Airpark in Palmdale are notable sites for warplanes. Up in Oregon, the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville stands out for its relatively smaller but great collection of warplanes.
in Seattle, Washington, is a no-brainer when it comes to highly preserved warplanes. Located in the heart of Seattle, just off Interstate 5, this museum features 28 immaculately restored WWI and WWII fighter planes across two galleries. The 88,000-square-foot J. Elroy McCae Personal Courage Wing takes pride in featuring the finest collection of historic fighters.
