Virginia Aviation Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1986 |
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| Dissolved | June 30, 2016 |
| Location | 5701 Huntsman Road, Sandston, Virginia |
| Type | Aviation Museum |
The Virginia Aviation Museum was a cool place to learn about airplanes! It was an aviation museum located in Henrico County, Virginia. The museum was right next to the Richmond International Airport.
It opened in 1986 and had a collection of about 34 aircraft. These planes ranged from early gliders, like those made by the Wright brothers, to super-fast jets like the SR-71 Blackbird. The museum was part of the Science Museum of Virginia. The building it was in, called the Martha C. West Building, was actually meant to be a temporary home for the planes.
Sadly, the Virginia Aviation Museum closed its doors on June 30, 2016. The famous SR-71 Blackbird was moved to the Science Museum of Virginia, where you can still see it today! The other planes from the collection are being kept safe and will find new homes in the future.
What Planes Could You See at the Museum?
The Virginia Aviation Museum had many amazing aircraft. They were arranged by when they were first made. Let's explore some of the cool planes that were once on display!
Planes from World War I and the Golden Age of Aviation
This section featured planes from the early days of flight. The "Golden Age of Aviation" was a time when flying became more popular and planes got better.
- SPAD S.VII (built 1917): This was a fighter plane from World War I. One of these planes at the museum was used for gunnery training in California.
- Standard E-1 (built 1918): This plane was found in a barn in Ohio in the 1950s and then carefully fixed up.
- Curtiss JN-4D (built 1918): Also known as the "Jenny," this plane was very popular for training pilots.
- Pitcairn PA-5 Mailwing (built 1927): This aircraft was used to carry mail for Eastern Air Transport. It was on loan from the Science Museum of Virginia.
- Bellanca CH-400 Skyrocket (built 1928): This plane was found in a glacier in 1976! It was then rebuilt and looked like the "Columbia," a famous plane that was lost in a fire.
- Travel Air 2000 (built 1927): A classic plane from the 1920s.
- Fairchild FC-2W2 (built 1928): This plane, named "Stars And Stripes," was used by Richard E. Byrd for his trips to the Arctic! It was on loan from the National Air and Space Museum.
- Heath Super Parasol (built 1928): A smaller, unique aircraft.
- Pietenpol Air Camper and Sky Scout (built 1928): These were "homebuilt" planes, meaning people could build them themselves. This one had a Ford engine!
- Brunner-Winkle Bird BK (built 1929): Another interesting plane from the late 1920s.
- Curtiss-Robertson J-1D Robin (built 1929): This plane was beautifully restored by Francis Clore.
- Fleet Model 1 (built 1930): This aircraft was marked like a training plane for the US Army Air Corps.
- Aeronca C-2N Razor Back (built 1932): This plane was originally a different model and was rebuilt in 1962.
- Taylor E-2 Cub (built 1932): An early version of the famous "Cub" aircraft.
- Aeronca C-3 (built 1935): Donated by Kenneth Brugh.
- Waco YOC (built 1935): This plane was once owned by Hollywood artist Walter Matthew Jeffries. He designed the famous Starship Enterprise from Star Trek!
- Curtiss-Wright A-14D Speedwing (built 1936): On loan from Allen H. Watkins.
- Vultee V-1AD Special (built 1936): Named "Lady Peace II," this plane was once owned by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. It's believed to be the only one of its kind left!
- Fairchild 24-G (built 1937): A popular plane for private use.
- Stinson SR-10G Reliant (built 1937): This plane was originally built for American Airlines. It was on loan from the Science Museum of Virginia.
- Waco EGC-8 (built 1938): Only seven of these planes were ever sold. This one was being restored at the museum.
- Bücker Bü 133C Jungmeister (built 1941): This plane was marked like the aircraft flown by famous pilot Beverly "Bevo" Howard.
- Piper J-3 Cub (built 1943): A very well-known and loved small aircraft.
Modern Aircraft
The museum also displayed more modern military jets.
- Grumman F-14 Tomcat: A famous fighter jet known for its variable-sweep wings.
- Douglas A-4 Skyhawk: A small, lightweight attack aircraft.
- Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird: This was one of the fastest planes ever built! It could fly at incredible speeds and very high altitudes.
- LTV A-7D Corsair II: An attack aircraft used by the US Air Force.
