Air Force Museum opens an aircraft one day each month

Get up-close look B-36J Peacekeeper on Aug. 20
A Convair B-36J Peacemaker is on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. On Aug. 20, visitors will have the opportunity to enter the flight deck of the B-36J Peacekeeper. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/KEN LAROCK

A Convair B-36J Peacemaker is on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. On Aug. 20, visitors will have the opportunity to enter the flight deck of the B-36J Peacekeeper. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/KEN LAROCK

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will continue to provide the unique opportunity for visitors to get an up-close look inside a different aircraft from the collection each month on select days.

On Aug. 20, visitors will have the opportunity to enter the flight deck of the B-36J Peacekeeper. The B-36 made its maiden flight in August 1946. When production ended in August 1954, more than 380 B-36s had been built for the U.S. Air Force.

Museum volunteers, retired Lt. Col. John Paul “JP” Clarke and Ralph Taylor, will share more information about this aircraft during the event.

Visitors can look inside the cockpit of the RF-101C Voodoo on Sept. 11.

The schedule of aircraft to be opened each month will be announced in advance on a quarterly basis. For a list of the open aircraft dates, visit https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Events/.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year thousands of visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

Mask policy

In accordance with the updated guidance released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force requires all visitors to wear face masks indoors until further notice.

Visitors ages 3 and up will be required to wear masks while indoors at the museum. This policy applies to all visitors, staff and volunteers regardless of vaccination status. Visitors may wear their own masks or a free paper mask will be provided. Cloth masks will also be available for purchase in the Museum Store.

Road construction

Please note Springfield Street, the road that leads to the museum’s entrance, is undergoing construction through the beginning of September. Expect lane reductions and some delays. Please follow the signs and instructions provided by the road crews.

About the Author