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Army Aviation Museum - Fort Rucker Alabama

Discussion in 'Military History' started by Slipdigit, Aug 20, 2013.

  1. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Mr. Marion and I drove to Enterprise Alabama to give a presentation to the local Rotary Club of the old soldier's time in Europe in 1944-45. My best friend from high school invited to come down. We were able to sell a few books.

    Afterward, we visited the Army Aviation Museum, but only had a short time to see it. I will be back.

    Here are a few photos for your enjoyment.
     

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    Slipdigit, Aug 20, 2013
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  2. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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  3. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Slipdigit, Aug 20, 2013
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  4. gtblackwell

    gtblackwell Member Emeritus

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    Many thanks, Jeff, great photos. It has vastly improved since I last was there, about 18 years ago!! I will have to go back.

    Gaines
     
    gtblackwell, Aug 20, 2013
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  5. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Great photos, Jeff. It's too bad it isn't closer to me. Must be a wonderful place.
     
    LRusso216, Aug 20, 2013
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  6. USMCPrice

    USMCPrice Idiot at Large

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    Thanks for posting Jeff. That's one I haven't seen. Will have to plan a trip.
     
    USMCPrice, Aug 20, 2013
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  7. urqh

    urqh Tea drinking surrender monkey

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    Nice pics...whats the biplane...? Spad?
     
    urqh, Aug 21, 2013
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  8. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    You certainly need to, Prof. Gaines. There were a few other aircraft outside on the grounds that we did not go see due to heavy rain.
    It was a good trip. If you get this far south, plan on seeing the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola and BB60 in Mobile.
    Which one, there 5 or 6?

    I have closeups of most the aircraft in the museum if any of you want to see something specific.
     
    Slipdigit, Aug 21, 2013
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  9. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Cheers Jeff, looks a fascinating place.
     
    GRW, Aug 21, 2013
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  10. USMCPrice

    USMCPrice Idiot at Large

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    I've been to the Pensacola Naval Air Museum more times than I can count. IMHO, it is one of the best museums anywhere, and I've been to most of the larger ones in the US and a good number of the smaller obscure ones. A huge collection, well displayed, well maintained, a lot of interactive exhibits a lot of one of the kind artifacts. Been to the Alabama a bunch of times also. Love the ship. Oldest son that recently got out of the Marines has just joined their living history company and is headed that way this weekend. They're supposed to also have a brunch with Sid Philips WWII Marine, noted physician, author and one of the characters followed in the series "the Pacific".

    https://www.facebook.com/UssAlabamaLivingHistoryCrew?ref=profile#!/UssAlabamaLivingHistoryCrew
     
    USMCPrice, Aug 21, 2013
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  11. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Great photos, Jeff! Too bad about the weather, though.

    BTW, I think urqh was referring to the 2nd photo in your first post. Looks Spad-ish to me.
     
    TD-Tommy776, Aug 22, 2013
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  12. Sandwichery

    Sandwichery Active Member

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    Thanks for the memories. When I took A.I.T. at Rucker in 1969 my barracks was right across the street from the museum. Hadn't thought about that in a long time.
     
    Sandwichery, Aug 22, 2013
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  13. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Apologies, I just realized that I did not post any of the pics that showed the 5 or 6 other WWI biplanes.

    The photo I posted was a Sopwith Camel. The docent told us that this specific aircraft shot down 2 German aircraft during the war.
     
    Slipdigit, Aug 22, 2013
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  14. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    The "statue" of the flight crewmen is not what it initially appears to be. We thought it was a grouping of poured castings but it isn't.

    It is apparently mannequins with some type of metallic material sprayed on. There are parts that were not covered as well as they should have been and velcro and the undersides of pockets or hems are slightly visible on a couple.
     
    Slipdigit, Aug 22, 2013
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