Virtual tour of USAF museum

I saw it 😀

A great way of making what looks to be a great museum accessable. Thumbs up USAF Museum! 🙂

Nice to know its not just me. 🙂

I think it’s to do with the software on any particular computor, works every time on my PC, sometimes on my mrs laptop, and not at all on this works PC.

Funny… but when I do this NOTHING HAPPENS!

As I stated in my first post, the map serves no function whatsoever… at least on my computer.

{edit: but now it does… and I clicked on exactly the same spot as I had before… yes, I had clicked while the “Cold War 070” was showing on the map, and nothing had happened. I had even tried this 3 times.

Perhaps the site was not functioning correctly then.}

Like I said in post #6
“I still think the site is under construction at the moment, as in the cold war hall you cant click on any aircraft or other exhibits”

Easty

*My* Spitfire 🙂

There’s something getting in the way of the mossie in that pic.

The navigation is brilliantly easy and straightforward, click ‘Map’ tag at upper right, a plan drops down the screen showing all the floorplans of the display halls and their various vantage points, click ‘071’ in the ‘Cold War’ building and you are stood right next to the F-106.

Funny… but when I do this NOTHING HAPPENS!

As I stated in my first post, the map serves no function whatsoever… at least on my computer.

{edit: but now it does… and I clicked on exactly the same spot as I had before… yes, I had clicked while the “Cold War 070” was showing on the map, and nothing had happened. I had even tried this 3 times.

Perhaps the site was not functioning correctly then.}

The museum has/had a great policy for restoring their aircraft. They’re say “ok, we have this aircraft…. & if you restore it for us, we’ll give you those aircraft..” which are then sold by the restoration team to finance the project etc..

Which in the case of that Spitfire was 2 Hueys & 2 T28’s… one of which went on to win Best T28 or some such thing at Oshkosh several years later after a resto of it’s own. 🙂

*My* Spitfire 🙂

I visited this musuem a few years ago – when I phoned in advance and the receptionist told me to allow 2 days I thought she was joking!

And the thing that always sticks in my mind is standing behind the XB-70 and staring up at that row of massive jet pipes across the back……

Bazza

Too bad they made the site navigation so rigid and limited.

It appears that, if I want to look at an F-106 (which I do), I’ll have to go through EVERY photo in first the “early years” hall, then the same in the “WWII” hall, then the “Cold War” hall!

They need to make the map have links so you can go directly to the hall you want to.

The navigation is brilliantly easy and straightforward, click ‘Map’ tag at upper right, a plan drops down the screen showing all the floorplans of the display halls and their various vantage points, click ‘071’ in the ‘Cold War’ building and you are stood right next to the F-106.

That place is Nirvana.

Mossie, Superfort, (Mossie), Me 262 (Mossie), X-15, Valkyrie … Hell, I even stood next to the space in which JFK’s body was taken back to Warshington.

Did I mention the Mossie?

Little old dudes on reception and in the gift shop have that little glint in their eye … “Anything else I can help you with today, sir?” Errrm, no thanks, mate.

Did I mention the Mossie?

Too bad they made the site navigation so rigid and limited.

It appears that, if I want to look at an F-106 (which I do), I’ll have to go through EVERY photo in first the “early years” hall, then the same in the “WWII” hall, then the “Cold War” hall (unless I have to go through the “Southeast Asia” hall too)!

They need to make the map have links so you can go directly to the hall you want to (at a minimum… better would be to have a list of aircraft linked so you can go directly to that aircraft if you want).

There is a navigation bar at the top, reads MAP!! it leads to a drop down and pick your hall!!!
I still think the site is under construction at the moment, as in the cold war hall you cant click on any aircraft or other exhibits.
I for one think it’s bloomin wonderful, and have spent hours dipping in and out.

Easty

I served at Wright-Patterson in the early to mid-90s and it was great then. But I was even more impressed during a recent trip. Not only has the collection and floor space expanded (by 50%, plus a round multi-story missile gallery) but long-time aircraft have been put into diorama-style displays making it more interesting to the average visitor.

Over at the annex, they’ve grouped the presidential aircraft (you get to tour the DC-4, 6, Connie and 707) and various prototypes.

I have a few small complaints, some of the very old (some dating back to the 60s) non-aircraft displays have been removed (the old displays were low tech but gave the museum a nice personal feel) and the B-17G isn’t as accessable for photography as it used to be, the XB-70 is now at the annex, but overall, it’s a huge improvement.

They’ve even redecorated the cafeteria and the trees at the outdoor picnic area/memorial garden are maturing.

So if you haven’t been lately, you owe yourself another visit.
BTW: Admission and parking are still free.

Too bad they made the site navigation so rigid and limited.

It appears that, if I want to look at an F-106 (which I do), I’ll have to go through EVERY photo in first the “early years” hall, then the same in the “WWII” hall, then the “Cold War” hall (unless I have to go through the “Southeast Asia” hall too)!

They need to make the map have links so you can go directly to the hall you want to (at a minimum… better would be to have a list of aircraft linked so you can go directly to that aircraft if you want).

I’ve never been: it looks mouthwatering.
Strolling through, you realise just how much the museum kicks the socks off our own national museums. Of course, there are more types to preserve, more money to do it with and generally more government support in the USA, but even taking this into account, the superb lighting, loose, thoughtful arrangement of aircraft, beautifully done dioramas and excellent layout really are a whole cut above, say Hendon, Cosford or Yeovilton. Not to say that our museums aren’t good-they are still something to be immensely proud of-it’s just that the USAF museum is so fabulous that they look shabby by comparison.
And fancy making such a marvellous tour! I don’t think I’ve ever seen one half as good.
Many thanks for posting, this could keep me amused for hours.

Superb!

Moved to Historic

Suggest you post it in Historic or General Discussion. No one will see it at General (i.e. “private”) aviation.