The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force has officially welcomed a PT-17 to its collection after a ceremonial transfer at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland this week. According to the museum, the aircraft is significant in that it is one of only two PT-17s still in existence that saw use during World War II as a trainer for the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black airmen in the U.S. military. The museum acquired the PT-17 via an aircraft exchange with the Massachusetts-based Collings Foundation’s American Heritage Museum.
“This aircraft is a valuable piece of our American aviation and military history,” said National Museum of the United States Air Force Director David Tillotson III. “Adding this to our collection gives us the ability to tell the broader story of the impact and bravery that that Tuskegee Airmen had during World War II, and the precedent they set for future generations.”
The museum noted that the PT-17 will be on display in its WWII Gallery beginning in the spring of 2024. Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, the National Museum of the United States Air Force houses more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of historical items. Admission to the museum, which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is free.
Cool addition to an incredible collection. Anyone who is in any way interested in aviation would find the Air Force museum a great free place to spend a day or three.
A high school friend, class of ’69 and I was ’70, who was 22 years Air Force and was once stationed at Wright-Pat, as he calls it, told me that eventually they put a B-36 indoors! I saw the one that was at Chanute Field in Rantoul. Illinois in ’85 before they closed the base and was positively amazed that the Air Force Museum doesn’t have theirs outside. I WILL eventually go for a visit.
I was at Chanute in spring of 1980 for structural repair specialist training. First time I saw the Peacemaker. I was in awe.
A high school friend, class of ’69 and I was ’70, who was 22 years Air Force and was once stationed at Wright-Pat, as he calls it, told me that eventually they put a B-36 indoors! I saw the one that was at Chanute Field in Rantoul. Illinois in ’85 before they closed the base and was positively amazed that the Air Force Museum doesn’t have theirs outside. I WILL eventually go for a visit.
We visited the museum on a 3500 mile motorcycle ride last fall and made the mistake of trying to see it all in one day. I didn’t know they had added another giant building since I was last there for the C-141 Starlifter Farewell in 2006. Indeed, the B-36 is indoors.
I wonder if this is the bird or just the data plate that flew with the Tuskegee Airmen.
I would assume so, but having a “good story” seems more important to keeping interest going than actually winning the war.
???
The Avweb comments are turning to Philosophy. Today Ship of Theseus and Mereological essentialism, next week who knows what intellectual depths it will plumb.
I can’t say enough about the USAF Museum. Do look at their excellent web site. If you can’t get up there for a visit, one day is not near enough, then their website will give you a virtual tour and even give you fantastic looks inside many of the aircraft. You can’t do that yourself up there. Google USAF Museum. You will be astounded at what they have and how it is all displayed.
Does it matter? Does the degree of original material in an artifact give it its significance? It is a symbol with historical provenance, beautifully restored to better-than-new condition, with a documented connection to an event that we want to remember.
Consider the “Liberty Bell”, which cracked and was re-cast (twice), was not rung upon the signing of the Declaration of Independence, then cracked again over fifty years later. It was until it was adopted as a symbol of the anti-slavery movement in Philadelphia that it acquired any significance.
This may be your grandfather’s axe, where the handle’s been broken twelve times and the head replaced five. But it still has the original manufacturer’s tightening wedge. Does that make it less significant to you?
I grew up in Dayton, Ohio. Now that I have moved away I regret the many times I passed the museum and said I need to go in and didn’t. Just before my father had a debilitating stroke we stopped in for a quick look. Six hours later they had to kick us out at closing time. One of my fondest memories with may dad.
I wonder what they traded it for?
The USAF Museum acquired one of two known remaining PT-17s used to train actual Tuskegee pilots. Stearman (s/n 41-25454) was in Massachusetts at the Collings Foundation. This Stearman aircraft is one of only two existing PT-17s that were actually used as Tuskegee Airmen trainers during World War II, according to museum officials. The PT-17 is expected to be placed in the museum’s World War II Gallery in the spring of 2024. Rob Collings, Collings Foundation’s executive director, and U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., exchanges a map signed by the Tuskegee Airmen during the PT-17 Stearman Aircraft Exchange ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md. on July 26, 2023.The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force welcomed the arrival of a PT-17 to its collection following a ceremonial transfer at Joint Base Andrews that coincided with the 75th anniversary of the integration of the armed forces.