Sunday October 9th 2016

A front went through overnight cooling the temperatures down. It was in the low 60s to start the day. The temperature topped out in the 80s with lots of sunshine.

I finally got motivated to do some touring in the area. Today I drove south about 50 miles to Robins Air Force Base and the Museum of Aviation. This is the third museum of military equipment I’ve visited in a little more than a week. While I always enjoy these museums, it probably would be more enjoyable if I spread out the visits a little more.

The Museum of Aviation has aircraft and exhibits in four buildings and the surrounding grounds. The outdoor displays are the bigger aircraft and a few smaller ones waiting for restoration. One of the buildings has some restoration work on a B-17 and other aircraft taking place in between other exhibits.

Robins AFB has been a logistics and maintenance facility since it was first built during World War II. The Museum of Aviation is influenced by that history. Many of the displays show aircraft being serviced with various internal parts visible. Test equipment and support devices like power carts and bomb trailers get featured prominently in the exhibits. It provides a unique flavor to the museum’s narrative.

A B-1B Lancer in front of the main entrance sets the stage for the exhibits to follow

A-10A Thunderbolt II often called the Warthog

Main entrance hall of the Eagle building as seen from the second level. The F-15A Eagle dominates the hall. Note the open panel at the front showing inner mechanisms. This is one of the common characteristics of many of the exhibits.

B-52D Stratofortress on display outside. This is the second B-52 I’ve seen on display. The first was last Sunday at the Battleship Alabama park.

C-124C Globemaster II transport used from 1950 until the mid 1970s.

B-29B Superfortress squeezed into the Scott hanger.

F-16A Falcon in Thunderbird paint scheme.

F-111E Ardvark fighter bomber

SR-71A Blackbird high altitude observation plane.

Tomorrow I plan to leave  Middle Georgia in the direction of Florida.  I may stop for an additional night in Georgia.  I’m not in any rush.  There are still many people evacuated from the coastal communities.