Grissom Air Museum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Grissom Air Museum

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Established	1981
Location	1000 W. Hoosier Blvd. Peru, Indiana 46970
Type	Aviation museum
Founder	John Crume

The Grissom Air Museum is a cool place near Peru, Indiana, where you can see lots of military airplanes! It's located at the Grissom Air Reserve Base and has more than twenty aircraft for you to explore. It's a special aviation museum that shows off amazing planes and tells the story of flight.

How the Museum Started

The idea for the museum began in 1981. A man named John Crume, along with other military veterans, wanted to save the old airplanes at the base. They formed a group called the Grissom Air Force Base Heritage Museum Foundation.

The actual Grissom Air Museum officially opened in 1987. This is when the aircraft were moved from inside the base to an area just outside the main gate, so more people could see them.

Growing and Changing

In 1991, the museum got an indoor building, which meant they could display more items safely. However, things got a bit tough in 1992 when the Air Force planned to move six of the museum's planes to other places.

A year later, people thought the museum needed new leaders and more money to keep going. But don't worry, things got better! By 1994, enough money was raised to keep the airplanes right where they were.

In 1995, the museum became part of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites system. This was a big step! They even got two new buildings called "Quonset huts" in 1997 to show off more cool stuff.

However, in 2010, the museum was no longer part of the Indiana State Museum system. But it kept going strong!

Recent Updates

In 2015, a large B-17 bomber from the museum was taken apart and sent to the Museum of Aviation to be fixed up. By 2020, the museum was working hard to raise money to build a special shelter for its B-58 plane, to protect it from the weather.

What You Can See

A Convair TB-58A Hustler plane on display.

The inside of an F-4 Phantom cockpit, where pilots sit.

The museum has more than twenty aircraft displayed outdoors. These planes show the history of the Grissom Air Reserve Base, as well as the history of the United States Air Force and the United States Navy.

Inside the museum building, you can find many interesting items. These artifacts tell the story of the area's military past, from the Naval Training Station (1942–1946) to the Grissom Air Reserve Base today (1994–Present).

You can also sit inside some cool displays, like an F-4 Phantom cockpit, a Huey Helicopter, and an F-16 Mock Cockpit. It's a great way to imagine what it's like to be a pilot!

Amazing Aircraft Collection

Here are some of the aircraft you can see at the museum:

Indoor Exhibits

Inside the museum building, you can find the cabin of a HH-1K helicopter and the cockpit of an F-4C plane. These are great for getting a close-up look!

Observation Tower

You can climb to the top of the five-story Observation Tower. From there, you get an amazing view of the entire Grissom Air Reserve Base and all the aircraft on display. It's a great spot for taking pictures!

Events at the Museum

The museum hosts several fun events throughout the year. These include an Open House, an Armed Forces Day Celebration, the GUS Fly In, and a Warbird Cruise-In. Check their website to see when these exciting events are happening!

See also

• B-17G "Flying Fortress" No. 44-83690