Museum of Aviation has many stories to tell
At the Museum of Aviation, people are fascinated by the different aircraft in our collection. The smaller artifacts have wonderful stories within our exhibits.
Sometimes, however, we overlook the bigger picture of how the museum got to this point. Over the years, the museum has been like a giant jigsaw puzzle, adding buildings from time to time.
The Air Force approved the establishment of a museum at Robins Air Force Base in 1980.
The museum opened to the public in 1984. Back then, there was one building called the Heritage Building. The building housed local and Robins Air Force Base history, information on local pilots and World War II exhibits. All of the aircraft were outside.
Fast forward to 1991, when the first facility for housing the museum's aircraft was dedicated. At last, aircraft could be shielded from the elements. This year is the 25th anniversary of the opening of "Hangar One."
The building was 28,000 square feet and came from Robins Air Force Base. It was an old storage warehouse on base that was disassembled. It was put back together at the museum by volunteers.
People donated not only their time, but also their money and materials. Folks from the base came over to help in their spare time.
At the grand opening on April 5, 1991, Maj. Gen. Richard F. Gillis, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center commander, gave the dedication with retired Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott giving a special presentation. Also speaking was Eddie Wiggins, chairman of the board of directors for the museum. Peggy Young was the museum's director at the time and considered the opening of Hangar One to be the "fulfillment of a dream."
Sixteen airplanes were able to be displayed in the new hangar. Some of the planes brought inside were the BT-13 basic trainer, CH-21 helicopter, P-80 fighter and Cessna O-1Bird Dog. There were exhibits about World War II and Desert Shield/Desert Storm. About 600 people attended the ceremony. There were 60 aircraft on the outside, such as the SR-71 and the B-52.
The opening of the new building also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. As a result of the close relationship between the museum and the base, Hangar One was dedicated to base personnel.
The dedication read, "This facility is dedicated to the personnel of Robins Air Force Base, military and civilian, and to their efforts for half a century in supporting the United States military aviation throughout the free world. From the early days of the Wellston Air Depot and Cochran Field, Robins has been heavily involved in training as well as logistics. ... But above all, Hangar One tells the story of people -- pilots, mechanics and support folks by the thousands -- who made the difference when it mattered."
Today, Hangar Ones tells part of the story of the war in Southeastern Asia. Many of the aircraft in the hangar actually served in combat in the Vietnam War. The museum's collection includes the Cessna Skymaster and Bird Dog, the iconic Huey helicopter and Jolly Green Giant, the F-4 with two kills and the F-105. The facility also has the one foreign plane in the museum's collection, that being a Russian-built MiG.
Two climb-in cockpits, one Huey and one F-105, are wonderful for children of all ages to enjoy.
In the near future, Hangar One will house the museum's restored F-100.
Besides the aircraft, there are vehicles that include a fire engine, ambulance, a quarter-ton truck and two-and-a-half ton truck, mechanical mule, missiles and drones that reflect the era.
The Museum of Aviation is proud to have Hangar One to help tell the story of how the Air Force -- and Robins Air Force Base -- keep our country free.
Marilyn N. Windham is a volunteer at the Museum of Aviation. She can be reached at mnwindham@aol.com.
This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 8:22 AM with the headline "Museum of Aviation has many stories to tell ."