Florida Air Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1986 |
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| Location | Lakeland, Florida |
| Type | Aviation attraction |
| Collection size | over 40 aircraft |
The Florida Air Museum is Florida's "Official Aviation Museum and Education Center." It used to be called the International Sport Aviation Museum and the SUN 'n FUN Air Museum. This amazing museum shows off many different types of aircraft. You can see unique planes, classic designs, small ultra-lights, old antique planes, and even warbirds. It's a great place to learn about the history of flight!
Contents
What Can You See at the Florida Air Museum?
The museum has two main parts: a large main building and a hangar annex. Both are located at the Sun 'n Fun fly-in and expo campus. This campus helps fund the museum's cool collections and programs. The entire area is found at the Lakeland Linder International Airport, right next to the runways.
Inside the Main Museum Building
The main building holds many of the museum's aircraft. Here you'll find smaller planes, like a Boeing-Stearman Model 75. This specific plane was part of the famous Red Baron Pizza aerobatic team. You can also see many unique aircraft designs and planes built by hobbyists at home. There's even a Mercury rocket motor on display!
Besides planes, the museum shows off many different aircraft engines. These engines range from those used in World War I to modern ones. The main building also has a library, offices, a meeting room, and a small gift shop.
Exploring the Hangar Annex
The hangar annex is where you'll find bigger aircraft and larger engines. It's a great spot to see some of the museum's larger flying machines up close.
The Buehler Restoration Center
Close to the museum is the Buehler Restoration Center. This big 8,000-square-foot building is where aircraft are restored all year long. It opened in 2006 thanks to a large grant. Here, old planes are carefully fixed up and made to look new again!
Amazing Aircraft Collection
The Florida Air Museum has a special collection of unique and famous aircraft. Many of these are homebuilt aircraft, meaning they were put together by people in their own workshops!
- Aeronca LB NC15292 - This plane was built in 1934 and later restored right at the museum.
- Aerosport Woody Pusher N100FQ - An older plane built in 1930.
- Anglin Space Walker II N168CM - Built in 1994.
- Bede BD-5 Micro N51GB - This plane has a unique design with its propeller at the back.
- Boeing 727-233 N265FE - A large cargo plane from 1979, given by FedEx. It's being turned into a classroom!
- Boeing-Stearman Model 75 - From the well-known Red Baron Squadron aerobatic team.
- Cirrus VK-30 N94CM - Built in 1993, this was the very first design from Cirrus Aircraft. It was sold as a kit for people to build at home. You can see it on the Sun 'N Fun campus.
- Colomban Cri-cri MC-12 "Cricket" N98DJ - Built in 1983, this is the world's smallest plane with two engines and a pilot!
- Command-Aire MR-1 "Little Rocket racer" N345JA - A fast-looking plane.
- Convair F2Y Sea Dart - This plane is mounted on a tall pole at the museum's entrance. It was the only seaplane ever to fly faster than the speed of sound!
- Culver Model V NC134K - Built in 1946.
- Denney Kitfox N3LB - Built in 1989.
- Dyke Delta N18DW - Built in 1972.
- Douglas DC-3 N839M - First built in 1943 as a C-47 Skytrain, then changed to a DC-3 for passengers.
- Ford Flivver N3218 - This is a copy of an old plane, built in 1994.
- Heath Super Parasol N88EG - Built in 1934.
- Greene Lovings Love N100PH - Built in 1976.
- Grumman F-14 Tomcat - A famous fighter jet, on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum.
- Laird Baby Biplane - A reproduction of a small biplane.
- Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star - Painted in Thunderbirds colors, this plane is mounted on a pole at the front gate.
- Lockheed XFV Vertical Riser - This unique plane was restored right at the museum.
- Mignet Pou-du-Ciel "Flying Flea" - Built in 1979.
- M-Squared Breese 2 - This is the only plane inside the museum that has been in actual combat!
- Northrop Radioplane Drone - A type of unmanned aircraft.
- Piel CP-30 Emeraude N31EB - Built in 1975.
- Pietenpol Air Camper N3513 - A copy of a 1929 model, built in 1967.
- Pitts Special S-1 N58P - Built in 1972 by Paul Poberezny.
- Pitts Special S-1C N5LU - Built in 1983.
- Quickie N303Q - Built in 1989.
- Rans S-9 Chaos N218ER
- RotorWay Exec N824DL - You can see this helicopter on the Sun 'N Fun campus.
- Sorrell Hiperbipe N135HB - Built in 1995, displayed on the Sun 'N Fun campus.
- Rozière Balloon Capsule - This is part of a special type of balloon, on loan from Kermit Weeks at Fantasy of Flight.
- Stits SA-11-A Playmate N77JA
- Sunshine Clipper N62SC - Built and given to the museum by Henry Palmer, displayed on the Sun 'N Fun campus.
- Wittman Chief Oshkosh N14855 - Built in 1931.
- Wittman Tailwind N314T - Built in 1962.
See Also
- List of aerospace museums
