Discover Middle Georgia: Museum of Aviation

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia. (41NBC/WMGT) – Warner Robins may be known for its Air Force Base, but the Museum of Aviation pays homage to our servicemen and women.

The Museum of Aviation is a partnership between the United States Air Force and the community – local and national.

It tells the story of the United States Air Force in the southeast and the role Robins Air Force Base plays in the defense system.

Mike Rowland, Curator of the Museum, says various planes went to Robins Air Force Base for work and “were repaired, modified, and then sent to training or to combat units.”

The Museum of Aviation first opened its doors to the public in November 1984. Originally, it had 20 aircraft on display with another 20 in restoration.

Now, the museum includes four exhibit buildings, home to 85 historic U.S Air Force aircraft, missiles, cockpits and award-winning exhibits.

It’s now the second largest museum in the United States Air Force and fourth most visited museum in the department of defense, featuring a collection of items from the present all the way back to World War II.

Inside the museum, you’ll find tributes to the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers, famous for their P-40N Warhawk fighter planes that engaged the Japanese during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Deonna Constant, a visitor to the museum who’s father served at Robins Air Force Base in 1964-1965, says “it’s just fantastic to see all these things, salute all the servicemen who served our country.”

The museum also holds the F-100D Super Sabre from the Korean War and the world’s fastest plane – the S-R 71 Blackbird, which travels at record speed, over 2,000 miles per hour.

Visitors to the museum can also step foot into select historic aircraft such as a helicopter known as ‘Huey’ from the Vietnam War.

While the museum shows many items from the past, it displays work from the community and acts to educate the public through workshop activities.

The museum is free and open to the public daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. It is closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information, visit museumofaviation.org