Tony’s aviation history

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“As a professional pilot, I have always enjoyed visiting museums when I travel.

Last year I decided to start a blog about aviation museums. I publish an issue once a month (totally a hobby- no cost, no advertising) and I am up to 15 issues.

I prefer to write about smaller, lesser known museums and there are many.

Besides just enjoying the writing, I think I have provided support to the museums by giving them exposure.

https://aviationhistorymuseums.com/

I have written about a variety of museum types, one of the most interesting was in Omaka New Zealand.

This museum houses the collection of Sir Peter Jackson (director of the Hobbit) and all the planes are displayed in unique ways.A couple of years ago, my son and I flew to Montana and Wyoming and visited the Museum of Flight and Aerial Fire Fighting in Greybull, Wyoming (issue 3).

With wild fires raging in the western US, this museum about the history of fighting fires from the air is very timely.

I live in Kitty Hawk North Carolina and I have written twice about the Wright Brother’s Memorial.

The first part (issue 6) is about the small museum which beautifully tells the story of the Wright Brothers.

Part 2 (issue 7) shows the extensive grounds and details of the December 17, 1903 first flight. I am always moved by standing at the very spot where flying history was made.

My most recent issue (15) is the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester Pa.

One of the many interesting displays there is one of the prototypes of the amazing V-22 Osprey.It is fun to write about old aircraft including this C-1A in the Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum, Willow Grove, PA (issue 10).

I have over 50 carrier landings in this particular airplane- it does make me feel old to see it in a museum!

In each issue, I also write about other attractions in the area, good places to eat, as well as hours and costs. Each issue is full of photos and is really fun to write. Check it out!

https://aviationhistorymuseums.com/

Tony”

A big thanks to Tony – fascinating stuff.

You can see some of Tony’s railway layout by clicking here.

And please do leave a comment below if you’d like to.

Best

Al

6 thoughts on “Tony’s aviation history”

  1. Thanks for the post. Made me stop and think of all the rubberband and gas models from the 40’s and 50’s I enjoyed.

  2. Tony,

    I am also a former “Stoofer”, VS24 out of NAS Norfolk. I only flew in the back as crew either radar or ASW. Just checked my flight log and was disappointed to find that I only entered my carrier flights from Feb, ’62 to Mar ’63 with nothing in between. Total hours 264.7. My first flight was off the USS Essex, 13 Feb ’62, hydraulic cat!!! and my last off the USS Intrepid, 8 Mar ’63. Enjoyed most of the flights but those over 5 hours were the pits with the seat cushion chewing at my butt! Glad I flew but also glad I don’t have to do it any longer. Thanks for your service,”Shipmate”

  4. Jim-

    Thanks for your service also! I was a little later than you- early 70’s. I have some landings on the Intrepid- on her final cruise in 1974. I was in VR-24 in Naples, the best of both worlds, carrier landings and living ashore!

    Thanks for the note!

  5. My family and I have been vacationing on the Outer Banks since 1982. We have been to the Wright Brothers Museum several times and enjoyed it more each time. We have travelled a large part of Europe and the United States, but the Outer Banks holds a special place in our hearts.
    I am into HO scale and, being retired, keeps me busy most of the winter and part of the summer.

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