Cold War Gallery and Berlin Airlift exhibit updated on museum's virtual tour Published Jan. 23, 2014 By Ken LaRock Natioanl Museum of the U.S. Air Force DAYTON, Ohio -- The popular virtual tour of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force has been updated to reflect new aircraft and exhibits in the museum's Cold War Gallery. This 360-degree, in-depth look gives online visitors the chance to "walk through" the museum galleries as they learn about more than 100 years of military aviation history. The tour, located at www.nmusafvirtualtour.com, now features updated photographs of the Cold War Gallery and Berlin Airlift exhibit. Interactive materials allow users to click on an artifact or exhibit and access factsheets, audio tour podcasts with printable transcripts, videos, touch-screen displays, and 360-degree images of several aircraft cockpits. "Having the virtual tour expands our educational reach, and brings the museum into the classroom, which helps to inspire our youth," said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John L. Hudson, museum director. "The learning opportunities will continue to grow as we expand the museum to better tell the Air Force story for generations to come." The updates to the Cold War Gallery allow online visitors to see an array of aircraft and exhibits such as new imagery from the Crew Compartment Trainer (CCT), GAMBIT 1 KH-7, GAMBIT 3 KH-8, and HEXAGON KH-9 reconnaissance satellites, and the RQ-1 Predator. Other views of the gallery include imagery on the SR-71A Blackbird, B-1B Lancer, F-117F Nighthawk, A-10A Thunderbolt II and the world's only permanent public display of a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Specialized exhibits highlight the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Warrior Airmen. The cockpit views in the Cold War Gallery include the MH-53, B-1, F-117, SR-71A , B-36J, A-10, F-15, F-16 and the CCT. "The museum continually acquires new aircraft and artifacts," said Bryan Carnes, the museum's lead for the virtual tour project. "We are combining new technology with the exhibits to enhance our users' online experience." The museum offers online visitors various ways to experience the tour, whether it is downloading podcasts from iTunes or accessing the tour through handheld devices such as the iPad, smartphones or other mobile devices. A free ACI Cockpit360 app, featuring 360-degree views of more than 25 aircraft on display at the museum, is also available for download on Apple devices. The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton, Ohio. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free. For more information about the museum, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil. NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at (937) 255-3286. NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, please contact Ken LaRock at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1238.