I traveled down a dusty gravel road toward the National Warplane Museum. A field of airplanes greeted me. In the distance, planes took off at the Geneseo Airport in Geneseo, New York.
I went inside and asked questions before heading for a long building filled with aircraft, jeeps, motorcycles, and other wartime memorabilia.
According to the website, the museum "is dedicated to the preservation and display of significant historical and military aircraft and artifacts for the benefit and education of the public. We honor United States veterans for their service and sacrifice."
The warbird and military history museum was founded in 1994. In addition to inviting the public to see these wonderfully restored pieces, the museum also restores, and flies vintage military aircraft from the Second World War and Korean War eras.
The museum also hosts the annual Geneseo Airshow, billed as the "Greatest Show On Turf." This year, the event took place in July.
Here is a list of the showcased aircraft collection:
Airworthy
- Douglas C-47 "W7" (restored)
- Beechcraft C-45 (restored)
- Fokker DVII (Replica)
- Beechcraft UC-43 Staggerwing
- Aeronca L-16
- Piper L-21 (Replica)
- Ryan Navion
On Display
- Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (undergoing restoration)
- Antonov An-2 "Natasha" (undergoing maintenance)
- Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
- Grumman F6F Hellcat (Replica)
- YO-55 Ercoupe
- Aero Commander 100
Storage or under restoration
- Douglas B-23 Dragon
- Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Saigon Lady"
The museum also houses a small group called "The 1941 Motor Pool Restoration Shop," which restores and maintains a variety of land-based military vehicles.
The Oshkosh MB-5, GMC CCKW 2½-ton 6×6 truck, and a GE 60-inch carbon arc searchlight are currently being restored.
I spent almost an hour photographing the planes and other exhibits and reading the plaques.
If anyone is interested in this era of warplanes, they should visit the National Warplane Museum. There is a lot to see.
For more information, click here.
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