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Combat Air Museum
Williamsport, KS, USA - panoramio (178).jpg
Overview of Hangar 602
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Established 1976 (1976)
Location Topeka, Kansas
Type Aviation museum

The Combat Air Museum is a cool place in Topeka, Kansas, where you can explore the history of U.S. military airplanes. It's a special museum that keeps and shows off over 40 amazing aircraft. You'll see everything from planes that look like they flew in World War I to powerful jets from the Cold War. Besides the planes, the museum also has lots of other aviation items. They offer fun learning programs and exhibits about flying history in Kansas and across the country.

Discovering the Combat Air Museum's History

The Combat Air Museum started in 1976. It was first known as the Kansas Wing of "Yesterday's Air Force." This group wanted to save old military planes. Their very first plane was a B-24 bomber called Delectable Doris.

The museum first opened its doors in July 1977. It was located in Hangar 626. By 1979, the group changed its name to the Combat Air Museum. They also moved to Hangar 602 at Forbes Field in Topeka.

In 1993, a tall tower was put up at the museum. This tower was built to remember the brave soldiers of World War II. In April 1996, the museum decided its planes would no longer fly. This was because of insurance reasons.

The museum has continued to grow and add new things. In 2025, the museum added three new areas. These areas are for showing even more cool aviation items. Also in July 2025, the museum announced a special art show. This show featured art about the famous pilot, the Red Baron.

Exploring the Museum's Aircraft Collection

Williamsport, KS, USA - panoramio (97)
An EC-121T plane in March 2014
Williamsport, KS, USA - panoramio (115)
An F3D-2 plane in March 2014
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A C-47D plane in March 2014

The museum has a huge collection of over 40 aircraft. These planes show how U.S. military aviation has changed over time. You can see planes from World War I, jets from the Cold War, and even helicopters.

Aircraft on Display

Other Aviation Items

  • MMIST CQ-10 Snowgoose
  • Ryan BQM-34 Firebee

Fun Events at the Museum

The museum used to have a yearly airshow called Superbatics. This show ran from 1976 until at least 1995. Today, the museum holds an annual 5k run/walk. This event helps raise money for the museum.

See also

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