[303rd-Talk] Newcomer with questions

[Bob Van Pelt]

Let me second Bill's opinion about the 390th museum at Pima.  It most certainly is the jewel of the entire museum.  There is so much to see at the museum and a number of great videos to watch, too.  Bill, I wonder if you are the docet I slipped a 50 dollar bill to in order to crawl up in the pilot's seat to have my picture taken!!??

Bill, do you know of a way to get out in the graveyard and wander around and see all of the planes that have been moth-balled?  Can this be done by a non military type like me?

Also, the Strategic Air and Space museum is on the south west side of Omaha, isn't it, near Ashland?  I was there last September.  It used to be a Offut AFB, but they moved it to a new home a few years ago along with all of the displayed aircraft at Offut.  They have a Douglas-built B-17, S/N 44-83559, on static display there, too, and I had my picture taken in it when it was at Offut and not in good shape.  

Bob Van Pelt

--- On Wed, 1/21/09, Btg358th at aol.com <Btg358th at aol.com> wrote:

> From: Btg358th at aol.com <Btg358th at aol.com>
> Subject: Re: [303rd-Talk] Newcomer with questions
> To: 303rd-talk at 303rdBG.com
> Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 3:09 PM
> Gary-
> I have been following the recent conversations regarding
> places to visit  and 
> wish to add my two cents worth.
> For a number of years we wintered in southern Arizona and
> for several years  
> I worked one day a week as a docent at the 390th Bomb Group
> hangar at the Pima 
>  Air Museum at Tucson.  There is a concentration of WWII
> 8thAAF vets in the  
> Tucson area, and many work some at the museum. I met many
> friends and many  
> people from all over the world.  Having been to Atlanta and
> back to  
> Molesworth(1992), and to the SAAC museum at Lincoln, NE and
> to Duxford in  England--the 
> Pima Air Museum is at a level with all of them and I
> genuinely feel  the 390th 
> is the gem at Pima Air Museum.
>  
> I would certainly encourage any WWII aviation enthusiasts
> to make the  
> journey and allow a minimum of two days to absorb what is
> there.  Hope some  of you 
> follow my advice
> Bill Carter
> Ball Turret gunner on Neil Cunningham's 358th
> crew-1944-45
>  
>  
>  
> In a message dated 1/21/2009 8:08:47 A.M. Central Standard
> Time,  
> glm at 303rdBG.com writes:
> 
> Hi  Gary,
> Sounds like you've done a lot of research.  Here's
> my list of  top places 
> to visit.  We've done them all:
> 
> 1- Mighty Eighth  Air Force Museum in Savannah, GA
> That's the  best place to get the real history of the
> 8th AF, see 
> the memorabilia and  experience a place dedicated solely to
> the 8th AF.  
> It was founded by  General Lew Lyle, who was the 303rd BG
> Commander.   
> We've been  there three times and are going back this
> June.  The "Mission  
> Experience" makes the hair on your neck stand up and
> the Memorial Garden  
> feels like being in a church.  They have a B-17 they are
> beginning to  
> restore now.
> 
> 2- Molesworth, England
> Only two original buildings remain on the RAF base now. 
> RAF  
> Molesworth is now the home of the Joint Analytic Center and
>  access  is 
> very limited.  A tour can be arranged, but most of what you
> see is  new.  
> There are no runways or anything like that.  There are a 
> few old 
> buildings from WWII that are off base, but they are on
> private  
> property.  Still, it is a wonderful experience to walk
> where our  
> father's walked 60+ years ago.   Nearby Cambridge
> American  Cemetery 
> alone makes the trip worthwhile.   We visited the UK  last
> June.  London 
> and Scotland were a delight to visit.
> 
> 3- Lone Star Flight Museum in  Galveston
> It is a real treat to see the only  flying B-17 with 303rd
> Bomb 
> Group Markings.  We're going there for  the third time
> next November for 
> their  Fly Day.  The museum was  almost wiped out by
> Hurricane Ike last 
> year, but the recovery is going  well and they will reopen
> soon.  
> Galveston Island has lots to offer  with great food and
> beaches.  We love 
> that  place.
> 
> Gary
> 
> 
> *Gary L. Moncur*
> 303rd Bomb Group (H)  Historian
> www.303rdBG.com
> 
> 
> 
> Gary Pett wrote:
> > 3) If we  were to organize a family trip, where would
> the "top" places be? 
> Molesworth?  Galvaston to see the Thunderbird? Any
> suggestions would be  
> helpful.
> >
> > Thank you, Gary  Pett
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