Page 20 - Volume 13 Number 9

This small memorial at the Tamiami Airport in Miami, Florida, consists of a single Douglas B-26 Invader (re-designated from an A-26 after the World War II Martin B-26s were no longer in service). This aircraft was flown by the Cuban Air Force in the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion. The memorial honors the 10 Cuban pilots and four American CIA pilots who died as part of that “Liberation Air Force.”
The San Diego Air & Space Museum is only minutes from San Diego’s Lindbergh Airport and contains an impressive collection. Mainly military in scope, but with some civilian aviation represented too. It is also a unique building and is located in San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park area.
maintain airworthy examples of historical military aircraft, the aircraft are often touring or participating in airshows on a seasonal basis. During the offseason is when you are likely to see the most concentrated display here.
San Diego Air & Space Museum: San Diego (Balboa Park), California. One of the top draws to the famous Balboa Park area, this circular structure contains a nice mix of historically significant civilian and military aircraft and artifacts. While some are replicas, most are the real McCoy, and all are fascinating to anyone who loves aviation history.
Smaller collections dot the United States from coast to coast, in such quantity and variety it would take several lifetimes to see them all. While smaller, many have fascinating collections of aircraft and artifacts. Their more diminutive sizes make them perfect for partial-day layovers. A few of my favorites over the years include:
The Fargo Air Museum: Fargo, North Dakota. Just outside the Fargo airport perimeter, this is another flying museum, where many of the aircraft are flown in the summer months. Thus, all the aircraft are in excellent condition.
Fantasy of Flight: Polk City, Florida. Kermit Weeks’ conceptual museum in central Florida has opened and closed its doors to the general public twice in the past couple of decades. Currently, being redeveloped yet again (as Act III), it should re-open again in the near future with a whole new way to experience aviation, history and the pursuit of life goals. Kermit’s wildly diverse collection of ultrarare civilian and military aircraft (many in flyable or near-flyable condition) is as unique as Mr. Weeks himself.
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum: Pooler, Georgia.
Home of the Memphis Belle and the history of the World War II aerial fighting force that played the leading role in the European air war.
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum: Columbus, Indiana.
A great example of the hundreds of museums to be found in small communities hoping to preserve their rich military histories for locals and visitors alike. A combat glider training base in World War II that continued as
18 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 2019