Behind the Scenes at the Restoration Hangar - suspended
Before I moved here, I visited Dayton for the sole purpose of visiting the National Museum of the Air Force. Now I regularly make jaunts to the museum when visitors come to town. Recently, I was fortunate to visit a Behind the Scenes Tour of the museum's restoration hangar.
Behind the Scenes at the Restoration Hangar - suspended
Before I moved to Dayton in 2010, I visited back in 2008 for the sole purpose of visiting the National Museum of the Air Force.
I love airplanes. I love to travel in them, of course, but the history of early aviation thrills me. Being able to see an airplane from another era - especially those from the World War II Era - allows me to get closer to history and the stories behind the "big events".
Now that I live here, I regularly make jaunts to the museum when visitors come to town, it's always on the list of places we must go.
Recently, I was fortunate to visit a Behind the Scenes Tour of the museum's restoration hangar.
The highlight of the trip for me was to see the progress of The Memphis Belle, the first official B-17 Crew to complete 25 Missions with her crew intact. The last time I saw her in 2008, she was in hundreds of pieces, most of those pieces in crates. To see her in a stage of 75% whole was breathtaking. I got goose bumps!
Now, while you may think I'm a bit off my rocker here - getting all goose-bumpy over a plane that is almost 70 years old - let me tell you. It's about being close enough to touch a relic that represents flesh and blood people and the stories of how the lived and loved and survived and died. Our guides explained to us that when choosing to restore an aircraft, the museum chooses airplanes that tell a story - a specific story - and then go in exquisite - and excruciating - detail to accurately tell the story through the airplane.
The (mostly) volunteer staff are passionate about getting the exact details of the condition of a plane on a specific moment in time to tell its unique story. I thought it was a wonderful lesson for each of us. Maybe, along with discovering what's behind the scenes, we are reminded of our own unique stories.
Restoration tours are on Fridays only and begin at 12:15 PM. Expect to be there at least 3 ½ hours for this special tour. Space is limited and you need to register ahead of time, though occasionally there is "stand-by" availability.
For more information call (937) 656-9436.
Updated 04/03/2013
ATTENTION: The Behind the Scenes Tours will end after the April 26, 2013 tour until further notice as part of budget reduction requirements due to sequestration. Also, the Presidential and R&D Galleries will close May 1, 2013, until further notice.
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National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
