Grissom Air Museum

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The Grissom Air Museum, near Peru, Indiana and named for astronaut Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, was founded in 1981 by seven prior service military personnel who lived in the area. The Heritage Museum Foundation (HMF) wanted to preserve aircraft that were currently located at Grissom Air Reserve Base, formerly Grissom Air Force Base. The HMF started the Grissom Air Museum in 1982 outside of what then was the main gate of Grissom Air Reserve Base.

The museum currently has 32 aircraft: 24 on display, 7 in different stages of restoration, and one awaiting its display area. It is also the home of the 305th Bomb Wing (BW) and the 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS).

History

B-47B Stratojet landing
The Grissom Air Reserve Base, was the Grissom Air Force Base before it was changed from an active service facility. Prior to May 12, 1968, it was known as the Bunker Hill Air Force Base. Bunker Hill was renamed Grissom AFB in honor of Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, an Indiana native and the second American astronaut to fly in space, who perished in the Apollo 1 launch pad fire of January 27, 1967.[1] The indoor museum was completed in 1989 when the aircraft were moved from the base to a public access site. From 1995-2009, the Museum was a State Historic Site under Indiana's Department of Natural Resources. Current funding is obtained through donations, membership, gift shop sales, and admissions.

Displays

The museum has approximately 20 aircraft on outdoor display reflecting both the base's history and that of the USAF. The indoor museum contains a number of artifacts related to the 305th Bomb Group and the AVG, among other subjects, and has some interesting sit-in displays, including a Phantom cockpit.[1]

Aircraft

[2]
Attack Aircraft: A-10A Thunderbolt II
Bombers: B-17G Flying Fortress, B-25J Mitchell, B-47B Stratojet, B-58A Hustler
Fighters: F-4C Phantom, F-11F Tiger, F-14B Tomcat, F-84F Thunderstreak, F-100C Super Sabre, F-101B Voodoo, F-105 Thunderchief
Refueling: KC-97L Stratotanker, KC-135 Stratotanker
Transports: C-1 Trader, C-47 Skytrain, C-119G Flying Boxcar

Museum

Interior of a F-4 Phantom
In the museum, one can climb into the cockpit of a replica 1903 Wright Flyer, a UH-1L Huey Helicopter, and a F-4C Phantom.[2]

Tower

The entire Grissom Air Reserve base and aircraft display are visible from the top of the five-story Cold War-era Observation Tower. An admission fee is charged ($1.00 in 2009).[3]

Events

Events on location include the Festival of Flight, car shows, Warbird Cruise-In,[4] and local aviation art contests.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Museum Reviews, Grissom Air Museum, Peru, Indiana by Scott Taylor
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Grissom Air Museum
  3. ↑ Grissom Air Museum; Peru, Indiana
  4. ↑ http://www.oldride.com/events/6449245.html
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      Coordinates: 40°40′9.5″N 86°07′47.5″W / 40.669306°N 86.129861°W / 40.669306; -86.129861

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