- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
What better way to kick off our Events and Airshows forum with a discussion about a nearby flying museum! Due to work, I have numerous weeks to spend in Virginia Beach and what better way to pass that time than visit the Military Aviation Museum. It is, as most may know, a flying museum so occasionally they pull out their machines and give them a few passes in the air for the crowd on the ground. It is similar to how Fantasy of Flight used to operate, which makes sense because much of the Military Aviation Museum business model was based on that of Kermit Weeks and his operation from what I understand. I will say, the majority of the flights are in their Second World War aircraft, which are also extremely neat and fun to see, but their Great War machines don’t exactly get that much air time.
This is understandable for such a large museum that just went from private ownership to 501c3. After speaking with some of their staff about this subject about a week ago, they said the reason for hardly flying their pre-WWII machines is because of a relatively small maintenance staff when compared to their ~50 flyable aircraft in addition to the interests of the visitors. Most of the patrons come to see the P-51, P-40, Corsair, TBM, and so fourth. Not their SE5a (with an original Woosley-Viper, by the way), Curtiss Jenny, Curtiss Pusher, and other fantastically restored biplanes and triplanes. What a tragedy! This is the exact issue that my website is trying to correct! How can such aircraft be overlooked!
The museum itself is fantastic and every airplane is a joy to see. It is obvious they take great care of the entire property and if you haven’t been, I highly recommend it.
Have you been? What did you think? What do you think could make them start flying their Great War machines again?
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.