Travis Air Force Base Aviation Museum facts for kids

The Travis Air Force Base Aviation Museum is a cool place to learn about airplanes and the history of flight! It's located at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. This museum has more than 35 aircraft on display. You can also see many other interesting items that teach you about aviation. It used to be called the Travis Air Museum, the Jimmy Doolittle Air & Space Museum, and the Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center.

History of the Museum

In 1982, a group of people who loved aviation decided to create a museum. Many of them were retired Air Force members. They formed a group called the Travis Air Force Base Historical Society. This group was a non-profit organization, which means they don't make money for themselves. Their goal was to build an air museum on the base.

The next year, the Travis Air Museum was officially started. Its main job was to help keep the history of the Air Force alive. It also focused on the story of Travis Air Force Base and how planes moved supplies across the Pacific Ocean. The Society worked hard to get airplanes and other items for the museum.

In 1986, an old building on the base became available. It was the perfect place to put all the collected items. Within a year, the museum officially opened its doors as the Travis Air Museum.

In 1989, the museum even planned to bring back a famous B-17 plane called the Swamp Ghost from Papua New Guinea.

Honoring a Hero: Jimmy Doolittle

In 2001, the museum was given a special honor. With permission from the family of General James H. Doolittle, the museum was renamed in his honor. General Doolittle was a very famous pilot.

In 2003, the museum hosted a big event. It was the 61st reunion for the "Doolittle Raiders." These were brave pilots who flew a daring mission during World War II.

Plans for a New Museum

Around 2000, people at the museum realized they needed a bigger space. They thought a new museum would be great for both the Air Force and the local community. They even found a new spot: a large area near the Travis Air Force Base hospital. They started a fundraising effort called "Aviation Museum of the New Millennium."

After the events of September 11, 2001, security rules changed. This meant they had to look for a different spot on the base.

From 2004 to 2009, the museum team got advice from other big museums. They learned from places like the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.

In 2010, the base commander confirmed a new location. This spot on Travis Air Force Base would be open to everyone, not just military personnel.

By 2011, the museum had raised about $1 million for the new building. Many companies and people helped, including the Jelly Belly Candy Company. Even actor Tom Hanks supported the effort! A new design for the bigger museum was also shared.

As of 2014, the museum found a good piece of land near the Nut Tree Airport. This new location will make it easy for everyone to visit and see the amazing collection.

Explore the Exhibits

The Travis Air Force Base Aviation Museum has many cool exhibits. You can see planes both outside in a special park and inside the museum building.

A giant C-124C Globemaster II on display outside. This type of plane was at Travis Air Force Base from 1953 to 1967.

A C-45 Expeditor plane sits right outside the museum entrance.

The opening ceremony for the F-105D Thunderchief exhibit.

Outdoor Aircraft Park

This is where you can see many large airplanes outside!

Aircraft Inside the Museum

Here are some of the planes you can see inside the museum:

A veteran looking at a replica of the Fat Man atomic bomb inside the museum.

Lt. Col. Clinton Hankins, a pilot from the Berlin Airlift, exploring the exhibit.

Indoor Exhibits to Explore

Basic Flight Training

This part of the museum shows how pilots learned to fly. You can see training equipment and planes used at Travis Air Force Base. There's even a simulator for an F-100 Super Sabre and a T-37 Tweet!

The Early Days of Flight

This exhibit celebrates the Wright Brothers. They were the first people to fly a powered airplane. You can learn all about how modern flight began with their amazing invention.

World War I Aviation

Step back in time to World War I! This exhibit focuses on the 94th Aero Squadron. This group of pilots served in France during 1918-1919. You can even see original copies of the Stars and Stripes newspaper from that time.

Between the World Wars

This exhibit looks at flying during peacetime in America. It covers famous flights like the 1927 Grand Canyon flights. You can also learn about Billy Mitchell's bombers and the famous "Spirit of St. Louis" plane.

World War II History

This section is packed with World War II history. You'll find exhibits on the Flying Tigers and the daring Doolittle Raid. There's also information about the Women Airforce Service Pilots. You can see a replica of a Fat Man atomic bomb. Plus, there are two aircraft: an L-4 Grasshopper and a Waco CG-4 glider.

The Cold War Era

This is a big exhibit about the Cold War. It covers the Berlin Airlift, where planes delivered supplies to a city in need. You'll also learn about early operations at Travis Air Force Base during this time.

Korean War Stories

Travis Air Force Base played a huge role in the Korean War. This exhibit shows that history. You can see a C-119 Flying Boxcar outside. There are also items from General Robert F. Travis's B-29 Superfortress plane crash. Learn how Travis Air Force Base became known as the "Gateway to the Pacific."

Vietnam War Missions

This area covers important operations during the Vietnam War. One exhibit is about Operation Homecoming, which brought prisoners of war home. There's also a special tribute to the brave Vietnam nurses.

Modern Aircraft and Flight

This section highlights the advanced planes that called Travis Air Force Base home. You can see displays about the C-141 Starlifter and the giant C-5 Galaxy. Learn about how these planes helped with strategic airlift and aerial refueling.

Space Exploration Journey

Blast off into space exploration! This part of the museum has exhibits about the Mercury space program and the Gemini space program. You can even see a prototype rocket engine from an X-15 plane.

Humanitarian Missions

This exhibit shows how the Air Force helps people in need around the world. It includes displays about different humanitarian missions. One example is Operation Babylift in 1975. During this mission, planes flew South Vietnamese orphans to safety.

Other Cool Collections

The museum also has many other interesting things. You can see original pieces of art and different types of aircraft engines. There's even an AGM-28 Hound Dog cruise missile! You can also find military uniforms, a collection of military coins, and a large research library.

See also

• Travis Air Force Base
• List of United States Air Force museums