Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum facts for kids
Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum and Walk of Honor
|
|
| Established | 1978 |
|---|---|
| Location | 2017 N. Greenfield Rd. Mesa, Arizona |
| Type | Aircraft museum |
The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum, also known as Airbase Arizona Aircraft Museum, is a cool place to visit in Mesa, Arizona. It started in 1978 at Falcon Field. This museum is part of the Commemorative Air Force, which is a big group dedicated to old planes.
Here, you can see amazing artifacts from World War II. They have helicopters and classic American and foreign combat planes. Many of these "warbirds" are the last ones of their kind left in the world!
Discovering the Past: A Museum's Story
The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum has a history that goes back to 1961. That's when the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) was first created. This group is a non-profit organization. This means they don't make money for owners. Instead, they use all their funds to help their mission. Their main goal is to find, fix, and keep old World War II planes safe.
The idea for the CAF began in 1957. A small group of former pilots bought a P-51 Mustang plane. This sparked the whole organization. People in Arizona soon wanted their own branch of the CAF. They looked for a good spot for months. Finally, they chose Falcon Field.
Falcon Field was built before World War II. Famous people like Henry Fonda and James Stewart helped fund it. In 1977, work began at Falcon Field. The museum officially opened in 1978. The Arizona Wing became the tenth unit of the Commemorative Air Force.
The museum is inside an old World War II hangar. This building was built way back in 1941. Outside the museum, you can see a giant propeller. It was once on a B-29 Super Fortress bomber. Also on display is a 3-inch Mark 33 deck gun. This gun was used on the USS Guam ship. It could fire 50 rounds every minute!
There's also a "Walk of Honor" outside. This special path celebrates Arizonans. It recognizes people who did amazing things in military aviation. They get a bronze plaque at the museum.
Most of the planes and exhibits are inside the hangar. Some planes are still able to fly. These are kept outside on the airfield. The hangar also has a gift shop. Some aircraft date back to 1917. However, most are from World War II. You can also see modern jet fighters from after World War II. Military helicopters are on display too.
Next to the museum hangar is the Mechanics Hangar. This is where planes are repaired and restored. The museum is home to one of the largest Commemorative Air Force units. You can also see artifacts like pilot jackets from World War II.
Amazing Aircraft on Display
Here are some of the incredible aircraft you can see at the museum:
- Douglas C-47 Skytrain ("Old Number 30"): This plane flew secret missions in World War II. It transported spies and supplies. It even rescued wounded people. This specific plane once flew four mules into the Balkans!
- Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor: A versatile transport plane.
- Douglas A-26C Invader (Miss Murphy): This plane was built in 1942. It flew in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
- Douglas SBD Dauntless: This aircraft is a famous dive bomber. It is currently being restored in the Mechanics Hangar.
- Lee-Wray Nieuport 17: This is a French fighter plane from World War I. It is also in the Mechanics Hangar for restoration.
- McDonnell Douglas F-4N Phantom II: A powerful jet fighter from the Cold War era.
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21: A well-known Soviet jet fighter.
- Nieuport 28 C.1: This is a replica of a French biplane. It was flown by American ace pilot Eddie Rickenbacker in World War I.
- Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon: A patrol bomber used for scouting missions.
- North American B-25 Mitchell (Maid in the Shade): This is one of only 34 B-25Js still flying. It was used in important bombing missions in the Philippines.
- Grumman TBF Avenger: A large torpedo bomber used by the US Navy.
- North American P-51 Mustang (Stang): This famous fighter plane was repainted for a movie.
- Bell UH-1B Iroquois: Often called a "Huey," this helicopter was widely used.
- Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw: An early model of a transport helicopter.
- Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5: A British biplane fighter from World War I.
Images for kids
-
World War II hangar
-
3-inch Mark 33 deck gun
-
Eddie Rickenbacker with his Nieuport 28 – note offset guns
-
C-47 Skytrain cockpit
-
Lt. A. Park Shaw exhibit
-
Col. Robert P. Moore exhibit
-
World War II aviators jackets
