The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will continue to provide unique opportunities for visitors to get an up-close look inside a different aircraft from the collection each month on select days.
Visitors have a chance to peek inside the McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This Phantom jet in the Southeast Asia War Gallery was considered to be an icon of air power in that war.
The first USAF pilot to score four combat victories with F-4s in Southeast Asia was Col. Robin Olds, a World War II ace. The aircraft on display is the Phantom in which Olds and weapons system officer, Lt. Stephen Croker, destroyed two MiG-17s in a single day on May 20, 1967.
Later this month, Presidential Gallery aircraft and exhibits will be featured during “Plane Talks” on Saturday, Feb. 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 “Air Force One” that returned President Kennedy’s body to Washington D.C. after his assassination in Dallas, the Douglas VC-54C “Sacred Cow” which was the first purpose-built presidential aircraft, the Lockheed VC-121E “Columbine III” used by President Eisenhower, and the Douglas VC-118 “The Independence,” used by President Truman will be open for visitors to walk through. In addition, approximately ten volunteer subject matter experts will be stationed near the aircraft or exhibit related to their expertise throughout the day.
Plane Talks occurs a few times a year, bringing to life the development and service history of the aircraft and exhibits on display at the museum.