Travis Air Force Base Aviation Museum facts for kids

The Travis Air Force Base Aviation Museum is an exciting place to learn about airplanes and the history of flight! It's located at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. This museum has over 35 airplanes on display. It also features many other cool items that teach you about aviation.

History of the Museum

The idea for the museum started in 1982. Colonel Tony Burshnick, who was a commander at Travis Air Force Base, wanted to create a museum. He teamed up with a group of people who loved aviation, many of whom were retired Air Force members. They formed a group called the Travis Air Force Base Historical Society. This group was a non-profit organization, meaning they didn't aim to make money. Their goal was to build an air museum on the base.

In 1983, the Travis Air Museum was officially approved. Its mission was to help save the history of the Air Force. It also aimed to preserve the story of Travis Air Force Base and how it helped with air travel in the Pacific region. The Society then worked hard to get airplanes and other items for the museum.

In 1986, an old building on the base became available. Colonel John Tait, another commander, made it the home for all the collected items. Within a year, the Travis Air Force Base museum officially became the Travis Air Museum.

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

In 2001, the museum was renamed. It became the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum. This was done to honor General James H. Doolittle, a famous Air Force general. In 2003, the museum hosted a special 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 Building

Around the year 2000, people working at the museum realized something important. They decided that a new, bigger museum was needed. This new museum would be good for both the Air Force and the local community. They even found a large area of land for it near the base hospital. They started a campaign to raise money for this "Aviation Museum of the New Millennium." Artists even drew pictures of what the new building would look like.

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

From 2004 to 2009, the museum team got advice from many other famous museums. They learned from places like the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.. They also got tips from the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. Other helpful museums included the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington and the Museum of Aviation in Georgia.

In 2010, Colonel James C. Vechery, the commander at Travis Air Force Base, made an exciting announcement. He confirmed that a new location on the base would be used for a new Air Force museum. This spot would be easy for everyone to visit, even people not in the military.

By April 2011, the museum foundation had raised about $1 million. They needed much more, over $34 million, to build the new museum. Many companies and people helped by donating. The Jelly Belly Candy Company, which is in Fairfield, California, was one of them. Even actor Tom Hanks supported the project! In July 2011, new designs for the planned museum were shared.

As of 2014, the foundation found a new location near the Nut Tree Airport. This area will allow both military and non-military visitors to see the amazing collection of aircraft and learn about history.

Museum Exhibits

The Travis Air Force Base Aviation Museum has many cool exhibits. You can see airplanes both outside and inside the museum building.

C-124C Globemaster II on display in the outdoor air park. This type of aircraft was at Travis Air Force Base from 1953 to 1967.

A C-45 Expeditor airplane outside the museum entrance.

The F-105D Thunderchief exhibit opening ceremony.

Outdoor Aircraft Park

The outdoor park is like a giant parking lot for airplanes! You can walk around and see many different types of aircraft.

Aircraft Inside the Museum

Inside the museum, you'll find more aircraft, often smaller ones or those that need to be protected from the weather.

Indoor Exhibits and Displays

The museum has many indoor areas that tell different stories about aviation history.

Veteran Colonel Barrett Broussard looking at a replica of a Fat Man atomic bomb.

Veteran Lieutenant Colonel Clinton Hankins looking at the Berlin Airlift exhibit. He was a pilot during this operation.

Basic Trainer Aircraft

This part of the museum shows equipment and planes used for training pilots. You can see simulators for planes like the F-100 Super Sabre and the T-37 Tweet. There are also actual trainer planes like the BT-13 Valiant and the PT-19.

The Early Years of Flight

This exhibit is all about the very beginning of modern flight. It honors the Wright Brothers, who invented the first successful airplane.

Between the World Wars

This section focuses on flying during peacetime between World War I and World War II. 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 area tells the story of World War II aviation. You can learn about 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. Two aircraft, an L-4 Grasshopper and a Waco CG-4 glider, are also on display.

The Cold War Era

This is a large exhibit covering the Cold War. It includes information about the Berlin Airlift, where planes delivered supplies to a city. It also shows how Travis Air Force Base helped during this time.

Korean War History

Travis Air Force Base played a big part in the Korean War. The museum shows this with a C-119 Flying Boxcar (outside). You can also see items from General Robert F. Travis's B-29 Superfortress crash. This section explains how Travis Air Force Base became known as the "Gateway to the Pacific."

Vietnam War History

This area covers military operations during the Vietnam War. It includes information about Operation Homecoming, which brought prisoners of war home. There's also a special tribute to Vietnam nurses.

Modern Flight Aircraft

The museum highlights important modern aircraft that were based at Travis Air Force Base. You can see displays about the C-141 Starlifter and the C-5 Galaxy. These sections also teach about strategic airlift and aerial refueling.

Space Exploration

This part of the museum is all about space! It has exhibits on the Mercury space program and the Gemini space program. You can also see a display of an X-15 prototype rocket engine.

Humanitarian Missions

This exhibit shows how the Air Force has helped people in need around the world. It includes displays about missions like Operation Babylift. In this 1975 mission, planes flew South Vietnamese orphans to safety.

Other Collections

The museum also has many other interesting things. These include original artworks and different types of aircraft engines. You can see an AGM-28 Hound Dog cruise missile. There are also 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