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Air Mobility Command Museum
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I. Mission
[edit]The primary mission of the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Museum [1] is to collect, preserve and exhibit the artifacts and human stories significant to the development and deployment of military airlift and air refueling missions conducted by the U.S. Air Force and its predecessor, the U.S. Army Air Force. The second closely aligned mission is to portray the rich history of Dover Air Force Base.
The Air Mobility Command (AMC) Museum, located at Dover Air Force Base Delaware, is a museum under the United States Air Force Field Museum Program. It is the only museum in the world dedicated to military airlift and air refueling aircraft and the people who maintain them. It has the largest and most complete collection of fully restored Cargo and Tanker aircraft in the Eastern United States.
Admission is free and the museum is open Tuesday thru Sunday 9 am to 4 pm. (Closed Mondays and Federal Holidays) Tours are conducted through out the day and are provided by a crew of highly motivated and well informed volunteers. Most of these volunteers are retired pilots and maintainers of the vintage aircraft on display. They provide first person of actual events that most museums just can not provide. Photography is encouraged.
II. History
[edit]A. Dover Army Air Field- The early years
[edit]Dover Air Force Base was originally built as the Dover Municipal Airport which was taken over by the U.S. Army Air Corps. With war looming in March 1941, an order was placed for the construction of three hard-surface runways and one hangar. The airport was federalized on December 17th 1941. By then, only two runways were operational and the hangar was in the process of being built. Hangar 1301 is listed on the National Register of Historic places for its significance as the site of the US Army Air Forces rocket test center and is the home and central display hall for the AMC Museum. The facility encloses over 20,000 square feet of aircraft display gallery plus 1,300 square feet of exhibit rooms. An attached 6,400 square foot building houses a theater, museum store, exhibit workshop, and various offices. A 100,000 square foot ramp allows close-up inspection of the outside aircraft.
B. The Air Mobility Command Museum
[edit]The AMC Museum began in 1986 when the museum accepted its first aircraft, a combat veteran Douglas C-47 that was considered "beyond salvage." This aircraft was restored back to static display condition and is currently painted in its original World War II paint scheme complete with the distinctive "Turf & Sport Special" nose art.
III. Collection
[edit]A. Aircraft in collection
[edit]The AMC Museum is proud to be home to a number of especially significant vintage aircraft.
B-17G “FLYING FORTRESS” S/N: 44-83624: Sole remaining aircraft from the 1948 Flying Bomb project (MB-17), also served as a Drone Director (DB-17G) with the Guided Missile Wing at Eglin AFB, FL. While assigned to Eglin AFB in a test squadron in the late 1950s it was the last B-17 configured to drop bombs for use during public “Airpower” demonstrations to compare it with modern bombers. Restored to WW II configuration and painted in the markings of the 381st Bomb Group, “Sleepy Time Gal”. Received into collection in June 1989.
C-7A “CARIBOU” S/N: 63-09760: Vietnam veteran, later served for as United States Army Parachute Team Golden Knights launch aircraft. Received into collection in September 1991.
C-9 Nightingale S/N: 67-22584: First C-9 assigned to the Military Airlift Command in 1968, it served with distinction for 37 years. Derived from the commercial DC-9, twenty were purchased specifically as medical evacuation aircraft. Received into collection in August 2005.
C-45 Expeditor S/N: 51-11795: Originally constructed as an AT-11 Kansan advanced trainer, serial number 42-37174 in 1943 for the United States Army Air Forces it was “reclaimed” in 1952 and sent back to the factory for modification. The modifications were so extensive it was given a new designation as a C-45G with serial number 51-11795, in 1958 it was dropped from the AF inventory and wound up serving the CIA with the civilian registration of N7950C. This C-45 was utilized by Air America which was the CIA Airline during the Vietnam Conflict. It was used to transport agents in Southeast Asia during the period of 1960 to 1974. Received into collection in April 1989.
C-47A “SKYTRAIN” S/N: 42-92841: Fully documented veteran of D–day dropping paratroopers at St. Mere Eglise. It also dropped paratroopers at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden, and towed gliders during the assault across the Rhine at Wesel. This aircraft was also used during the decisive Berlin Airlift. Received into collection in October 1986.
C-54M “SKYMASTER” S/N: 44-9030: 44-9030 was one of 38 C-54 aircraft that was specially modified to haul coal during the Berlin Airlift. It is the only remaining “M” model in the world. It served in the Pacific during World War II and continued to serve hauling troops and supplies until it was retired in 1973. It then began a career as a ground trainer at the FBI training Academy in the Sky Marshal program. This particular aircraft was used for over 29 years by the United States Military, 16 years by the FBI, and is fully restored in the markings it carried during WW II and the Berlin Airlift. Received into collection in November 1989.
KC-97G “STRATOFREIGHTER” S/N: 53-230: Assigned to the Strategic Air Command in 1955 at Westover AFB, Mass. In 1965 it was converted to KC-97L status by the addition of two jet engines and transferred to the Tennessee Air National Guard. Fully restored-inside and out. This aircraft is a beautiful example of transition between the propeller age and jet age.. Received into collection in October 1999.
C-119G “FLYING BOXCAR” S/N: 10-870: This one served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, later used in civilian service as a fire bomber and in the movie ALWAYS (film). Received into collection in October 1991. .
C-121 “SUPER CONSTELLATION” S/N: 4557: Actually a former civilian 1049E Super Constellation. Served several airlines including Cabaña and Irish Airlines. Was chartered by the Military Air Transport Service to haul personnel to Europe during the 1960s. Restored as a typical C-121C. Received into collection in October 1997.
C-123K “PROVIDER” S/N-54-0658: Vietnam veteran, later service with the Drug Enforcement Agency in Peru. Received into collection in October 1990.
C-124A “Globemaster II” S/N-49-0258: 49-0258 was assigned to the Strategic Air Command (SAC), the Tactical Air Command, (TAC), the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) and the Air Force Reserve (AFRES) from 1951 to 1969. The C-124 was capable of carrying 68,500 lb (31,100 kg) of cargo, and the 77 ft (23.5 m) cargo bay featured two overhead hoists, each capable of lifting 16,000 lb (7,000 kg). It is the oldest C-124 in the world, and the only remaining A model. Received into collection in June 2004.
C-130E “HERCULES” S/N: 69-6580: Workhorse of the tactical airlift fleet. Many varieties were built, over 50 years in production. This aircraft is a Vietnam veteran. Variants of the C-130 have been used in every humanitarian and combat events for the United States Air Force from the Vietnam era to today. Last stationed at Pope AFB. Received into collection 2 Feb 2004.
C-131D “SAMARITAN” S/N 55-295: Former Air University and South Carolina Air National Guard staff plane. Received into collection in June 1989
C-133B “CARGOMASTER” S/N 59-536: 59-536 was the last of 50 C-133s built in 1961 and retired in 1971 when it was replaced by the C-5. It is the largest turbo-prop aircraft in the [United States Air Force]] and was powered by the largest Turbo-prop engines ever built, the Pratt & Whitney T-43. For years it was on display at the SAC Museum before transfer to the AMC Museum [2] and total restoration. This is also the most complete C-133 on display in the world. Received into collection in 2000.
C-141A “STARLIFTER” S/N: 61-2775: Serial number 61-2775 was the first of 284 C-141s. It first flew on 17 Dec 1963, sixty years to the day from the Wright Brothers first flight. It was the first jet aircraft specifically designed as a cargo plane. All but 4 C-141 “A” models were converted to “B” model status by stretching the fuselage by 24 feet and the addition of an air refueling receptacle. This is one of two A models scheduled for preservation and the only known four engine jet aircraft used to tow a glider. This was during a test for NASA concerning future shuttle launch options.
C-141B “STARLIFTER” S/N: 64-626: This was the last C-141 stationed at Dover Air Force Base before the transition to all C-5 aircraft, departed May 1972. The cargo compartment of this aircraft is currently wheelchair accessible and open to the public. Received into collection in March 1996.
F-101B “VOODOO” S/N: 59-0428: Displayed in the markings of the 98th Fighter Interceptor Squadron stationed at Dover. This two-seat air interceptor aircraft is capable of 1.75 Mach or 1332 mph. Received into collection in June 1988.
F-106A “DELTA DART” S/N: 59-0023: This serial number aircraft was actually stationed at Dover AFB. Over 300 F-106s were built for air defense of the United States. In 1959 a world speed record was set with this type of aircraft at 1,525.96 mph at 45,000ft. Later modifications increased the speed capabilities to 2.5 Mach or 1903 mph. The 95th Fighter Interceptor Squadron operated about 16 aircraft at any one time from Dover AFB from 1963 to 1973 including serial number 59-0023. It was transferred to the New Jersey Air National Guard in 1973 and retired to become one of over 200 flying target drones in 1978. 023 is one of six aircraft that survived the program. Received into collection in February 1998.
CG-4A “HADRIAN” S/N: 45-15009: World War II cargo glider. It is one of less than eight known surviving examples. The aircraft was restored in 2014 and is displayed as a fuselage cutaway displaying its metal and wood construction.
It could carry 13 WW II troops with their equipment, a Jeep, or other large equipment making it the largest non-powered cargo aircraft used in combat operations for the US Army Air Force. Received into collection in May 1995.
TG-4A S/N: 42-53078: World War II training glider. 154 bought to train glider pilots. Last used to train Delaware CAP pilots in 2002. United States Air Force has only two in the Heritage Collection. Donated by Major John Kalinowski (CAP) in May 2004.
HH-43 “HUSKIE” S/N: 62-4532: Used for crash/rescue and fire-fighting duties HH-43’s were part of the Military Airlift Command mission worldwide. A single HH-43 was assigned to Dover from 1959 to 1962. Received into collection in September 1998.
BT-13 “VALIANT” S/N: 42-1639: The most widely used basic trainer from World War II. Popularly known as the “Vultee Vibrator” because it’s canopy rattled during maneuvers. Received into collection in April 1993.
PT-17 “KAYDET” S/N: 12-1741: World War II trainer was the first plane student pilots flew solo during their 60 hours of primary instruction. This is a composite aircraft made of a combination of original and hand made replica parts. Received into collection in March 1993.
T-33 Shooting Star S/N 52-9497: Developed from the P-80 “Shooting Star” fighter, this type of two-seat trainer was used from the 1940s to the mid 1990s by over 30 different countries in the world. Received into collection in November 1993.
UH-1 “Huey”: The UH-1 Helicopter was used extensively during the Vietnam Conflict, although on display, is not part of the museum collection. It was used as a load trainer for the C-5 aircraft.
B. Archives
[edit]All archives are accessible by appointment to researchers and members of the public.
PHOTOS—limited to airlift, air refueling and other aircraft types stationed at Dover AFB. DOCUMENTS—A very limited collection, Dover squadrons and some airlift history DRAWINGS—limited to restoration projects FILM—extensive Air Force series AUDIO TAPES—limited aircrew oral history VIDEO TAPES—military aviation SCRAPBOOKS—very limited When requested, trained staff members conduct teaching programs at various statewide schools, in conjunction with the Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation.
IV. Sources
[edit]Air Mobility Command (AMC) Museum [3]