| There's no doubt that travelers along Interstate 215 | | | | our military, past to present. Jet engines, piston engines, |
| just south of Riverside have noticed the collection of | | | | radar systems ' anything you can imagine that is found |
| military and vintage aircraft a short distance from the | | | | in an aircraft ' are available for up-close viewing. |
| freeway, but those who have not bothered to stop | | | | The museum also has a few novelty items ' for |
| are truly missing something. The March Field Air | | | | example, you can see the B-47 mockup used by |
| Museum is a remarkably detailed look at the history of | | | | Jimmy Stewart when he filmed the movie "Strategic |
| aviation and, in particular, the use of aviation in modern | | | | Air Command." For the thrill-seekers in your group, try |
| warfare. | | | | the simulation ride that duplicates the G-forces you |
| Sprawling alongside the runway at March Air Force | | | | would experience if you were actually flying in an F-14 |
| Base are more than 60 aircraft of all sizes and | | | | fighter jet. |
| shapes, from little single-engine prop planes to the | | | | Several aircraft are on display in the museum itself, |
| mammoth B-52 bomber. And then, just a few steps | | | | including vintage fighters from both world wars and |
| away is the indoor museum that tells the story of how | | | | some of the first jet aircraft ever built. But then step |
| aircraft were first used in warfare and how they have | | | | outside and, there on the flightline, is a fleet of airplanes |
| become a vital part of our nation's military power. | | | | probably larger than most third-world countries' air |
| Thousands of artifacts are on display to bring it all to | | | | forces. All the airplanes are neatly organized with |
| life. | | | | descriptive plaques telling visitors exactly what each |
| Our afternoon at the museum turned out to be one of | | | | aircraft is and why it's important. |
| the most entertaining and informative museum visits | | | | Many of the aircraft at the March Air Museum are not |
| we can remember. We hadn't really heard much about | | | | all that easy to find nowadays. For example, the |
| the museum, even where we live in the San Diego | | | | museum has one of only four combat B-17's that exist |
| area. But we had noticed those airplanes on various | | | | in the United States today. Another is the SR-71 |
| drives northward, and this time we decided to stop. | | | | Blackbird ' the fastest airplane ever built and used for |
| On this sunny Saturday, the rather sizeable parking lot | | | | spy missions during the Cold War. The B-52's on |
| was about two-thirds full ' so word about the museum | | | | display are incredibly large when you get close up ' |
| is getting out somehow. The visitors we saw seemed | | | | visitors can walk right under the rear wheel well and |
| to fall in two general categories: retirees who we | | | | see just where the atomic bombs were stored as the |
| guessed may have had some military background, and | | | | B-52's were used as a deterrent during the height of |
| families of all sizes. It was obvious that kids of all ages | | | | the arms race. |
| were eagerly exploring one aircraft after another, | | | | The airplanes are great but, as often is the case at a |
| climbing up to look into the cockpits, examining the | | | | museum of this sort, the volunteers give the whole |
| bomb doors or landing gear and just gazing at some | | | | experience texture. Generally the people who are |
| of the larger aircraft with a look of amazement. | | | | there to answer your questions have some personal |
| Upon entering the museum visitors are given a map of | | | | history with these aircraft and John Monahan is no |
| the museum floor as well as the aircraft displayed | | | | exception. Retired after a 28-year Air Force career, |
| outdoors on the flightline. Rather than just displaying | | | | Monahan was on duty in the P-38 Museum the day |
| airplanes, the museum has organized a sequential | | | | we visited and was more than willing to share his |
| series of exhibits that take visitors through the 20th | | | | stories about flying the twin-engine P-38 fighter from |
| Century beginning with World War I and the creation | | | | the time it was brought on line in 1941. |
| of March Field in 1918. A call had gone out from our | | | | A veteran of numerous combat missions, Monahan's |
| forces in Europe that the Germans were having great | | | | eyes were gleaming as he recalled the increased |
| success in the war with their new "flying machines." | | | | firepower he had with this revolutionary new fighter |
| Congress then appropriated money for the | | | | aircraft. He also remembered it as being a little |
| development of more fighting aircraft and, as part of | | | | cantankerous at times ' lose one engine on take off |
| that package, several training bases were funded, | | | | and most pilots crashed because one side was so |
| including March Field. | | | | overpowered. Another little issue with the P-38 was, |
| As it turned out, March Field was opened just a few | | | | when pilots ejected, they were often chewed up by |
| months before the end of the World War 1 and, while | | | | the tail structure. So the answer when something went |
| training continued for a few years, the base all but shut | | | | wrong was to turn the airplane upside down, open the |
| down in 1923. It re-opened in 1927 and was then used | | | | canopy and just fall out of the aircraft. |
| to train some of the U.S. military's most famous flying | | | | Just next door to Monahan's building was a cockpit |
| aces and generals. Exhibits depict this history and then | | | | display of the P-38 where the volunteer this day was |
| move onto the stories of World War II and how March | | | | Toni Olson, daughter of 1st Lt. Jack "Fox" Olson who |
| was used extensively during the war for training. | | | | flew a P-38 named Miss Bow Legs in World War II. |
| Various battles are explained and visitors learn the | | | | With Glenn Miller music creating just the right effect, |
| different types of aircraft and missions undertaken | | | | Toni took a few minutes to explain to us that two of |
| during the war. One exhibit, for example, focuses on | | | | the top three P-38 "aces" came from March AFB ' |
| the famed Tuskegee Airmen who were a group of | | | | one of whom was Tommy McGuire, with 38 combat |
| African-American pilots that played a vital role in the | | | | kills. |
| war. Another exhibit offers photos and a mockup to | | | | Such "living history" makes a trip to March Air Museum |
| tell the story of American POWs shot down over | | | | even more enjoyable ' an especially meaningful |
| Germany and the conditions they endured until the end | | | | experience now that the U.S. military is back on page |
| of the war. | | | | one of the newspaper and once again truly |
| The progression of exhibits takes the visitor forward | | | | appreciated by most of the country's citizens. |
| to the Korea War, the Vietnam War and, finally, Desert | | | | AT A GLANCE |
| Storm, offering photos, diagrams and artifacts from | | | | WHERE: March Air Museum is just south of Riverside |
| each period to convey these experiences and the role | | | | on Interstate 215. Take the Van Buren exit going either |
| that air power played in each. | | | | north or south. |
| Throughout the museum, the staff has assembled a | | | | WHAT: A surprisingly complete and detailed collection |
| treasure trove of authentic equipment from each of | | | | of aircraft and military artifacts that is an enjoyable |
| these eras. A complete historic gun collection is on | | | | experience for the entire family. |
| display offering a look at handguns, rifles and machine | | | | WHEN: Spring and Fall are best, as it can get hot in the |
| guns from the various time periods. Several B-52 | | | | summer and rain more often in the winter. Various |
| simulators are on display including those used to train | | | | special events are held. |
| gunners, navigators and electronic warfare officers. An | | | | WHY: The museum is both entertaining and |
| assortment of missiles and bombs helps visitors | | | | educational and especially suitable for families. |
| understand the various armaments being employed by | | | | |