HANGAR 25 AIR MUSEUM - Big Spring, Texas - May 29, 2018

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

On the day after Memorial Day I had an appointment at the VA Medical Center in Big Spring, Texas.
We like to get in some sightseeing whenever we're out of town - even for doctor visits - so we dropped by the HANGAR 25 AIR MUSEUM at the Air Park in Big Spring. The Air Park is the former WEBB AIR FORCE BASE.

Here are some teaser shots. I'll be adding more as time permits.

Yes, we have evidence that we were there!
We even "Got the T-shirts."





The old ATC Tower has seen better days.
(It's not part of the Museum -
The Air Park has neglected it.)

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Some quick exterior shots before we stepped inside:

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There's more to come. I'll be adding as time permits.

Subscribe to this thread to stay tuned.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

After passing through the lobby Gift Shop (Admission is FREE) and just inside the hangar bay....

I just HAD to stick my face into that helmet !
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[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Acknowledging the Almighty

Very near the start of the Hangar Tour area there is a fitting tribute to the old Webb Air Force Base Chapel.

The most stunning piece is the stained glass window from the Chapel building. We are told that the demolition crew removing the structure were not allowed any unauthorized salvage while "on the job". So, they would end their shift and remain on their own time salvaging this beautiful work of art too precious to smash to bits. The parts of the window were then stored and eventually found its way to the Museum.
We credit the values of those workers. Their vision was Divinely driven.

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Also displayed are the original piano and a couple of the pews.

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After touring inside, we walked around the Hangar to see the outdoor displays. to go along with the Chapel display, the original Steeple-Top is mounted adjacent to a nicely arranged outdoor chapel.

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As Dianna and I paused at this steeple pointing heavenward, we recalled the poem HIGH FLIGHT.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gillespie_Magee_Jr.

High Flight​

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"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air....

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace.
Where never lark, or even eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
– Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."​

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

The TOP SECRET Norden Bombsight

In it's beginning, the training at Webb Air Force Base instructed Bombardiers in the highly technical and incredibly TOP SECRET Norden bombsight.

Here, housed in a glass case, is an example of the now-declassified device....

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Here'sa WIKI about this bombsight:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norden_bombsight



Since actual combat aircraft were urgently needed in the theaters of war, one type of civilian aircraft, easier to acquire and maintain, were modified into a bomber-trainer aircraft - the BEECH AT-11 "Kansan".

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NOTE: The displays were particularly dusty on the day we visited. Their weekly hangar dusting had been delayed do to a schedule glass panel replacement that was going to require the large hangar door to be opened for an extended period - which would allow much dust in again anyway - so the regular cleaning was postponed.



Another item returned to the Museum was this classroom training aid:

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And this one too:

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Well, boys and girls, it's past midnight. The tour will resume sometime soon......

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Some more shots of the AT-11 that I missed last evening....

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This aircraft is currently airworthy!

What a prize in their collection

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

North American T-28 (T-28A) "TROJAN"

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This is another airworthy bird in the Museum's collection.​

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Lockheed T-33A "SHOOTING STAR"

Another of their airworthy birds:

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[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Cessna T-37B "TWEET"

This is just the empty and gutted fuselage, wings and tail section of this specimen. We're told that on its carriage it is so light that a single person can push it around the hangar floor. They won't take it outdoors since she might take flight in even the lightest of breezes!

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[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Northrup T-38A "TALON"

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[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

A-10 "THUNDERBOLT II" Rescue Trainer Module

Retired from serving at the Goodfellow Air Force Base's Firefighter Training School at our hometown - San Angelo, Texas:

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[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

B-52 Forward Section

When the USA and USSR began the dismantling some of the Cold War's Nuclear Capabilities this airframe was one that was "destroyed" in the process. The fuselages were literally cut into several sections by dropping a HUGE blade through them. After verification of the destruction, this forward section - from the belly crew hatch forward was then "pretty-fied" for display and is now on loan to the Museum. By nature of the de-mil process all of the cockpit instruments are intact. Under the Treaty, NO PARTS could be cannibalized for reuse from the aircraft which were destroyed.

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[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Random Pics - Indoors

Large reproductions of some Class Patches:

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Note the SNOOPY patch - More about this one later...​

And one recent addition waiting to be hung in the Hangar:

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Some other Wall-Art:

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There's more to come! Stay tuned!!!

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Let's go back outside and see the Static Displays

F100:

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HARRIER:

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T-33:

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And...

This ambulance was once stationed at WEBB AFB, later decommissioned and passed on to the City/County Civil Defense organization, and now rests outside the Museum with the three outdoor aircraft.

We understand that this MV WILL run, but desperately NEEDS a Carb-Job. When it ran last it could only crawl with a lot of coughing and gasping for air.

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[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

The SNOOPY Class Patch

Outside, there is a salvaged slab of concrete with a bronze plaque immortalizing it's story:

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[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

There are also A LOT of glass display cases. And I got LOTS of photos of them too. Most of the labels won't be readable if posted here. So, I'll just share a few of them....

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[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

More....



Model Planes and other mementos...

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The B-1B case, under the nose of of the Bomber's nose section...

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Well, that's about all I've got to share from the HANGAR 25 AIR MUSEUM experience.

If anyone else happens to have been there (past, present, or future visits) please feel free to add to this thread.

Carry on.

 

[Mrmag1]

OOOO I have to visit this place.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

OOOO I have to visit this place.

Indeed you ought to!

I highly recommend it for anyone "in the neighborhood" during planned travels and well worth the trip for anyone who needs an aviation destination to justify a multi-stop trip.

 

[Mrmag1]

Indeed you ought to!

I highly recommend it for anyone "in the neighborhood" during planned travels and well worth the trip for anyone who needs an aviation destination to justify a multi-stop trip.

Sounds like a fun first road trip in the M35