National Museum of USAF

History of the Air Force Museum

The National Museum of the US Air Force is the world's largest military aviation museum, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.  Its roots originate in 1923 with the research conducted at Dayton’s McCook Field that was gathered in a small hangar at the field.  Eventually, the collection moved to Wright Field and became known as the Air Force Museum.  As with all good things in Dayton, the Kettering Family saw the need for a permanent structure and formed the Air Force Museum Foundation.  In 1960, the museum was relocated to its current location at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and a new facility was constructed and dedicated by President Nixon in 1971.  Today, the museum is part of the National Aviation Heritage Area and holds countless artifacts such as the Memphis Belle, Bockscar, nearly every famous fighter, bomber, transport, and many spacecraft related to Airmen.  With over 360 aircraft and spacecraft on display, the museum tells the story of aviation from the Wright brothers to the present day.

National Museum of the US Air Force

The National Museum of the US Air Force has a host of features:

  • Early Years Gallery:  This gallery tells the story of early aviation, from the Wright brothers to the end of World War I.
  • World War II Gallery:  This gallery chronicles the air war in Europe and the Pacific during World War II.
  • Cold War Gallery:  This gallery tells the story of the Cold War and the air power that played a vital role in it.
  • Space Gallery:  This gallery tells the story of space exploration, from the early days of the space race to the present day.
  • Presidential Aircraft Gallery:  This gallery features aircraft that have been used by US presidents, including SAM 26000, the Air Force One that brought back President Kennedy from Dallas Texas.
  • Memorial Park:  Today, the park holds over 500 memorials dedicated to military units in the form of memorials, plaques, trees, and benches.  The first memorial was dedicated in Oct 1972 in the name of Vietnam POWs. 

National Museum of the US Air Force Fine Art Photography

These fine art photography art prints of the museum grounds and collections allow aviation historians and Dayton Corporate clients to celebrate Dayton’s aviation heritage.  If you are seeking fine art photography for your wall décor that celebrates living in Dayton Ohio, this is one of many galleries that may help you.  If you are seeking more sites that celebrate Dayton Aviation’s History, check out these sites:

A memorial depicting a formation of aircraft where the lead aircraft has begun pulling up creating a missing man formation.

Valor Park, National Museum of the US Air Force

$75.00 – $440.00
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A view of Air Force One which carried President Kennedy’s remains at Dayton Ohio’s Air Force Museum

National Museum of the USAF Presidential Gallery

$85.00 – $560.00
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The famous and recently restored B-17 Memphis Belle displayed with its landing wheels retracted and its bomb bay doors open at the National Museum of the US Air Force

Memphis Belle at National Museum of the US Air Force

$95.00 – $700.00
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A panorama of the hanger 4 of the National Museum of the US Air Force featuring the Space Gallery and the Global Reach Gallery.

National Museum of the USAF Hangar 4 Panorama

$95.00 – $700.00
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A memorial celebrating those who flew the P-47 Thunderbolt on a fall morning at the National Museum of the US Air Force

P-47 Thunderbolt Memorial, National Museum of the US Air Force

$75.00 – $440.00
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The restored Memphis Belle, a Boeing B-17 Bomber, displayed with its bomb bay doors open in the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Memphis Belle No. 1

$75.00 – $440.00
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A panoramic view of a hanger in the National Museum of the US Air Force featuring aircraft which served in the Cold War

National Museum of the USAF Cold War Gallery Panorama

$95.00 – $700.00
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The front view of the B-36 Bomber and its multi window cockpit as it sits under museum lights at the National Museum of the US Air Force

B-36J Peacemaker

$95.00 – $700.00
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A panoramic view of a B-29 Bomber featuring its bare aluminum skin and classic nose art as it sits inside the National Museum of the US Air Force

The Historic B-29 Bomber, Bockscar

$85.00 – $560.00
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A front view of the B2 Stealth Bomber as it sits in the Air Force Museum.

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit called Fire and Ice

$95.00 – $700.00
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A memorial in the shape of a bronze globe standing along a brick paver sidewalk on an autumn morning where the early light rakes across the ground and backlights the colorful trees.

95th Bomb Group Memorial, National Museum of the US Air Force

$75.00 – $440.00
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A fall day over the American Beagle Squadron Memorial where the flightpath of both Spitfires frame the rising sun that is rendered as a sunburst

2nd Fighter Squadron Memorial, National Museum of the US Air Force

$75.00 – $440.00
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An image of the very long and black-painted YF-12 as it sits under the lights of the Air Force Museum along with other aerospace treasures.

Lockheed YF-12A at the National Museum of the US Air Force

$95.00 – $700.00
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Two WWII C-47 troop carriers flew over Dayton Ohio’s D-Day celebration as spectators gazed into the clear blue skies

75th D-Day Ceremony, National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

$75.00 – $440.00
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