After Columbus, we spent a few days with Chrissy and Shaun and made a visit together to the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world. We were here years ago, but it's so expansive and the displays often change, so it's worth multiple visits. We learned more about the Holocaust and WWII.
During WWI, homing pigeons delivered messages in tiny tubes pictured below (left) between front-line outposts and command centers. To the right, is "John Silver", one of the most active pigeons in the Army. During a firefight, he was shot and lost a leg, but still managed to deliver his message. He was nursed back to health but had to retire from active service. He lived out his days in Hawaii's Scholfield Barracks and died just shy of his 18th birthday.
This F-82G is pretty wild. It looks like two planes connected in the middle!
Learning about the underground missile launch stations was very interesting. Chrissy's dad actually served in one during his time in the military. It was wild to see how large the missiles are (above)!
This space suit weighs 250lbs! The mirror on the left hand allows astronauts to check the panel on the front of the suit while making adjustments with their right hand. The dial on the left hand side controls the temperature of the internal liquid cooling suit.
Chrissy and I walked thru three Presidential aircrafts!
The Columbine III served as Dwight D. Eisenhower's personal airplane from 1954-1961.
The cockpit of the Columbine III
The Independence was the second aircraft built specifically to transport the President of the United States. President Harry S. Truman used it from 1947-1953.
The control panel
And THEN there was Air Force One!
The Sam 26000 was the first jet aircraft built specifically for use of the President of the United States and key personnel. When the President was on board, the call sign changed to "Air Force One" to avoid any confusion with other aircraft.
Over 36 years, this jet carried eight Presidents: Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton. In 1963 when President Kennedy was assasinated, Vice President Johnson was sworn in as President on board this plane. A section of seats were removed to transport Kennedy's body and President Johnson back to Washington D.C. for the funeral.
I found the old corded phones at every seat pretty amusing. Who were they calling? I assume other passengers within the plane.
Back at Chrissy's, we met their new cows.
They have an exchange student living with them this year. Matu is from Argentina and has much in common with Wade. They make great "brothers".
All the boys went fishing in the creek togeher.
It's always a great time reconnecting with Chrissy, Shaun and Wade!
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