The Strategic Air & Space Museum in Ashland, Nebraska is opening two new exhibits this summer. The first, entitled Moving the Museum, was developed by the Museum’s Curator, Brian York, in answer to museum guests most common question, “How did all these airplanes get here?”
Originally established at Offutt Air Force Base, the SAC Museum grew and evolved over nearly four decades. With this growth came the need for a larger facility. But moving 39 aircraft, missiles, and thousands of artifacts more than 30 miles overland is quite a challenge. Moving the Museum features archival images which depict the order and scale of the massive effort required to shift the collection from its original home into a new 300,000 square foot facility. The exhibit also includes documents and photos never before displayed to show the history of the museum, and how a world-class facility rose out of rural farm land. The exhibit takes the form of a mural spanning 82’ and stands as testament to all those who took part in the mammoth project. It will be on long term public display beginning Saturday, August 22, 2015.
The Aviation Hall of Fame exhibit opens September 4th, 2015 and will remain open through Nov 15, 2015. This exhibit features twelve prints from the work of Charles H. Hubble, a renowned aviation artist. Taken from the 1969 series titled “Aviation Hall of Fame”, Hubble chose 30 individuals for the Hall of Fame though only 12 were depicted in the TRW Inc. calendar in 1969.
Each print depicts some of the greatest achievements in aviation history. The exhibit includes legendary airmen such as the Wright Brothers, Alfred Cunningham, Eddie Rickenbacker, Billy Mitchell and Carl Spatz. While every aviation-minded person has heard of the Wright Brothers, many will not have heard of Alfred Cunningham, the first Marine Corps aviator, nor Eddie Rickenbacker, the most successful American fighter pilot of WWI. Also depicted are such events as Billy Mitchell and the sinking of the German battleship Ostfriesland which would eventually usher in the dawn of strategic bombing as well as Carl “Tooey” Spatz and his demonstration of air-to-air refueling capabilities, which would extend the range of all military aircraft.
All exhibits are free with general admission – $12 adult; $11:00 seniors and Military; $6 youth over 4. For more information, please visit our website: www.SASMuseum.com. # # #
I visited your old museum many years ago. Have never been to your new one. Have visited the Air Force Museum in Ohio 18 times since 1961. Love
military aircraft. Do you have a book that I can send for showing all of
your aircraft collection? Would love to add it to my book colection. Thankyou Horace Sagnor
216 Brookview Ave.
Coatesville,PA. 19320