Iowa Aviation Museum facts for kids
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| Location | 2251 Airport Rd, Greenfield, Iowa |
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| Type | Aviation |
The Iowa Aviation Museum is a cool place in Greenfield, Iowa, right at the Greenfield Municipal Airport. It's all about keeping the history of flying in Iowa alive! This museum shows off amazing airplanes and tells the stories of Iowans who helped make aviation what it is today.
Contents
Awesome Airplanes to See
The Iowa Aviation Museum has a fantastic collection of eleven civilian aircraft. You can see some really rare planes from the early days of flying, like the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Imagine what it was like to fly in these!
Here are some of the aircraft you can explore:
- 1941 de Havilland Tiger Moth, Australian Model
- 1946 Piper J-3 Cub
- 1928 Curtiss Robin
- 1929 Northrop Primary Glider
- 1937 Piper J-2
- 1941 de Havilland Tiger Moth, Canadian Model
- 1941 Aetna-Timm Aero craft
- 1946 Taylorcraft, BC12
- 1957 Schweizer 1-20
- 1932 Mead Primary Glider
- 1968 Pitts Special S1S
- 1975 Easy Riser Glider
- A-7D Corsair II
- AH-1 Huey Cobra Gunship
- 1929 Pietenpol Replica
- 1931 Kari Keen
- 1929 Stearman
- 1963 Cherokee II Sailplane
Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame
Inside the museum, you'll find the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame. This special part of the museum started in 1990. It's a way to honor people from Iowa who have done amazing things in aviation. Think of it like a "hall of fame" for sports, but for flying!
People are chosen for the Hall of Fame each year. A special committee looks at nominations and picks those who have made a big difference. When someone is chosen, they get a permanent tribute at the museum. It's the only place in Iowa that focuses on the state's rich aviation history.
Famous People in the Hall of Fame
Many incredible people have been inducted into the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame. Here are just a few:
Early Pioneers and Founders
- 1990: John and Yvonne Schildberg
These two were super important! John loved old airplanes, and Yvonne was very generous. Together, they gave ten antique aircraft to the Greenfield community. This collection became the very start of the Iowa Aviation Museum!
- 1990: William "Billy" Robinson
Billy Robinson was a barnstormer and early aviator who thrilled crowds with his flying stunts. He was known for his daring flights and helped popularize aviation in its early days.
- 1992: Neta Snook Southern
Neta Snook was a pioneering female aviator. She's famous for teaching the legendary pilot Amelia Earhart how to fly! Imagine being taught by someone who then taught one of the most famous pilots ever.
- 1993: Clarence Duncan Chamberlin
Clarence Chamberlin was an American aviation pioneer. He was known for his long-distance flights and was one of the first to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, though he landed in Germany instead of France.
- 1994: Eugene Burton Ely
Eugene Ely was a true daredevil! He was the first person ever to take off from a ship and the first person to land an airplane on a ship. This was a huge step for naval aviation.
- 2002: Glenn L. Martin
Glenn L. Martin was a very important figure in aviation. He was an aircraft designer and manufacturer who founded the Glenn L. Martin Company. His company built many famous planes for both military and civilian use.
It's amazing that the inventors of the airplane, the Wright Brothers, are honored here! While not from Iowa, their invention changed the world and made all of Iowa's aviation history possible.
Modern Aviators and Contributors
- 2004: Ellen Church Marshall
Ellen Church was a trailblazer! She was the world's first female airline stewardess. Her work helped create the role of flight attendants we know today, making air travel more comfortable and safe for passengers.
- 2006: The Iowa Tuskegee Airmen
This group includes brave African American pilots who served during World War II. They were highly skilled aviators who fought against prejudice and flew with distinction. Their courage and achievements are a vital part of American history.
- 2003: Walter Cunningham
Walter Cunningham was an American astronaut, a fighter pilot, and a physicist. He was the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 7, the first crewed flight of the Apollo spacecraft.
See also
- North American aviation halls of fame
- List of aerospace museums
