Air Force Armament Museum EGLIN AFB

Introduction

Recently a friend of mine and I spent a couple of days in the Florida panhandle visiting the aircraft museums there. We started our day with a very early flight from Milwaukee to Atlanta. After a short layover we boarded our flight to Pensacola. As we waited to board the airplane I noticed a military assembly outside by the aircraft. There was a flag draped casket being loaded into the cargo bay of the airplane. I took my seat on the flight, then heard the captain announce that we were being accompanied on the flight by a United States Navy veteran – He explained that this veteran was a Pearl Harbor survivor and was being returned to Pensacola for burial. What an honor to share a flight with an American patriot and hero.

We arrived on time at our destination, Pensacola, Florida, subsequently got our rental car and were headed to the Air Force Armament Museum near Eglin, AFB.

The ride was a less than an hour and the museum was very easy to find. There were a few other museum goers there when we arrived, but not crowded by any means. We walked around the building before I started photographing of some of the aircraft on display. My initial desire to visit the museum was the Lockheed SR-71 on display. As most of you know I am on a quest to see and photograph all 30 Lockheed Blackbird airframes left. Undeniably this SR-71 is unique among those remaining.

SR-71 "Big Tail"

In 1974 the Air Force determined the SR-71 could be fitted with an aft facing Electronic Countermeasures capability. The “BIG TAIL” modifications included a 51 inch adapter unit for the new tail, air conditioning for the cameras and other equipment, as well as re-routing the fuel vent along the upper surface of the tail. As a result the chines in the aircraft’s forward fuselage were modified to accommodate the 24 inch Optical Bar Camera.

Although the Big Tail had proven to be a viable system operationally, the Air Force eventually chose not to pursue the concept after only 36 flights were made. The aircraft made its last flight on October 29, 1976 and was then grounded and placed in storage. In 1991, the airplane was finally disassembled and trucked to the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin AFB, Florida where it is displayed today.

To clarify, I didn’t even know about the “Big Tail” SR-71 until I started doing my research for this trip. Nevertheless this was a great feat of engineering by Lockheed and the Air Force. This Blackbird is number 17 of 30 in my quest to see all of the remaining SR-71/A12 fleet.

The Armament Museum

The Armament Museum was very well arranged and gave a complete chronological history of all the munitions the US Air Force has employed over the past 75 or so years. One of the most impressive displays was their collection of battlefield firearms which they designate the “Gun Vault”. I don’t know the exact number, but there was around a hundred machine guns, shot guns, rifles, pistols, and other hand fired weapons on display. (You can check out the virtual tour of the Gun Vault at www.afarmamentmustum.com/gunvault.html) In any case a very impressive display.

The museum also housed several aircraft. There was a Republic P-47 as well as a Republic F105. Undoubtedly the Republic brand dominated the displays. The other aircraft displayed in the museum included a North American P-51 and a Lockheed P-80. There were also several Ryan Firebee drones displayed as well as a good selection of TV and radar guided type bombs.

There were plenty of airplanes to view outside of the museum. Below are photos of just a few of the planes on display.

AC-130A Spectre Gunship - This aircraft is the first production C130 produced. It was also one of the first C130's to be modified to the Spectre gunship configuration. Armament included two 7.62 mm GAU 2B/A Mini-guns, two 20mm 61A Vulcan cannons, and two 40 mm Bofors cannons

Boeing B-47 - One of my favorite post WWII airplanes

North American B-25 representing a member of the Doolittle Raiders from the area

Additional Museum Information

Official Website : http://www.afarmamentmuseum.com/

Museum – +1 850-882-4062

Museum Foundation – +1 850-651-1808

The Air Force Armament Museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts and memorabilia associated with Air Force Armament and its platforms of delivery. There are over 29 different aircraft that have found a home at the Air Force Armament Museum including an AC-130, B-17, B-25, B-52, P-51, A-10, F-15, F-16, F-100, F-101, and many other aircraft from the WWII era to the present. There are also several hundred pieces of armament to include a gun collection, bombs, bomblets and missiles to include the Sparrow, Sidewinder, cluster bombs, Bunker Buster and the MOAB.

A 32-minute film on the history of Eglin Air Force Base and its role in the development of armament is shown continuously throughout the day. No advance notice is necessary for groups; however, it is best to call ahead at (850) 882-4062 to insure there are no other functions occurring at the same time. Groups with children under 10 years of age must have one adult for every five to seven children. There is a lot to see and do at the Air Force Armament Museum. If you do not see everything in one visit, there’s always tomorrow and chances are good that we’ll be open.”

Summary

In conclusion the Air Force Armament Museum visit was both interesting and educational. My primary goal of seeing and photographing another Lockheed SR-71 was accomplished, but I also gained quite a bit of knowledge regarding the ordinance the US Air Force used and uses today. If you have any interest in military aircraft, aircraft history, or the weapons that are used by the US Air Force, this museum is a must to add to your bucket list. The museum is free and definitely worth a few hours visit if you’re in the area.

A shout out to my friend Jim Jessen for accompanying me on this trip and for the photos he provided.

Thanks for viewing and please give a like to the site and share with others you know who may find this article interesting.

Blessings