Military Aviation Museum
WWI and WWII Planes in Virginia Beach
In 2020, the COVID pandemic cancelled most air shows. Some, like Oshkosh, held virtual events. Some aviation museums are starting to reopen slowly. Hopefully people are busy in hangars restoring antique airplanes and readying them for when we can all get out and travel again.
It's no fun to be grounded when you want to fly and explore.
We have had a personal setback too, with some health issues slowing us down. We don't have the time to check on which venues are still viable and which are things of the past.
So... Post COVID our advice is to check with each air show or museum to see if they are open and operating. Stay safe.
We first went to the Military Aviation Museum Biplanes and Triplanes airshow in 2012. What a great display of WWI planes!
There were rumors at one time that the museum might close…
...but it didn’t. We went back in 2014 for their WWII show and it was terrific.
They say, “The Military Aviation Museum is home to one of the largest private collections of World War I and World War II era military aircraft in the world.”
See Them Fly
Most of the planes in their collection are airworthy, so the most fun way to visit is to attend one of their airshows.
When possible, their planes have been restored using original parts. Many of the early examples are replicas, but there aren’t too many places you can see so many all at once…. and flying!
All of our photos can be seen larger by clicking on any of them. Enjoy.
Military Aviation Museum WWI Show
Their WWI show is generally in the Fall… early October.
In some years they have been forced to cancel due to weather…
...can’t chance flying some of those little old birds in nasty winds and rain.
But if you can get there you'll have lots of fun seeing those old Biplanes and Triplanes fly.
There are re-enactments on the ground and in the air.
Want To See Them On The Ground?
Lots Going On Besides Antique Airplanes
There is equipment on display too. There are shows with singers and comedians, and there are the reenactors.
WWII Show Warbirds Over The Beach
Their WWII airshow is in May. We’ve been to that too… to see the Mosquito fly.
And fly she did...
...along with their Hurricane and Spitfire.
We missed the ME 262 because that plane can’t take off from the grass strip, and they had radio problems, so they couldn’t communicate and fly in…. darn!
Guess that means we’ll have to go back!
Keep in mind that with these private collections, planes sometimes
change hands, and some may be out for restoration or maintenance, but
we'll show you a selection of what we saw...
Allied Planes
The trainers and fighters....
And of course, one of Mark's favorites...
German Planes
I wouldn’t say they do aerial reenactments like dog fights, but they do throw the planes up together.
The Ju-52 had reenactors wearing WWII uniforms and they jumped using parachutes from the WWII era… I’m never going to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, but we were told that those old chutes were a bit tricky.
Explore The Museum
They have several hangars to explore on both non-show days and, on airshow days when they are moving planes, before the airshow starts.
They have a Navy Hangar, an Army Hangar, a WWI Hangar... they even have an authentic German Luftwaffe Hangar which was relocated from Germany!
Part of the charm is that the museum has its own private GRASS airfield.
More To Do At The Airshows
We mentioned re-enactments that take place during the airshows.
There is also entertainment in the main hangar with singers that recall the WWI or WWII era.
Frank Sinatra like acts, Abbott and Costello and Boogy Woogy Bugle Boy singers.
And there are usually airplanes you can buy a ride in....
A Little Museum Information
Checkout their website for information on the Military Aviation Museum Fighter Factory (which restore many of their aircraft) and the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (which is building WWI replicas).
Hours
Open daily from 9-5. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Directions:
1341 Princess Anne Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23457
They say.... Just 3 ½ miles south of the Pungo stoplight. Look for the red and white checkered water tower to guide you.
That’s a little simplistic…. it’s a long way from Virginia Beach proper, but you can find it.
We look for the low flying warbirds sign!
Head out of Virginia Beach on Pacific Avenue/Hwy 60. That bends and becomes General Booth Blvd. Proceed for several miles…. Turn left on Sandbridge Rd. Right on Princess Anne Road.
Seems like there just couldn’t be an airport there… but there is. Remember it’s a private field… and a grass strip.
Admission:
Adult Admission when we went for Warbirds Over the Beach was $25.
Admission to the museum on non-airshow days is $12 for adults.
There are discounts for military, youth, seniors and groups. Check the Military Aviation Museum website for details.
Why not combine a vacation at the beach (Virginia Beach) with a great airshow!
Find 'em, See 'em, Fly,'em! And have a great flight!
Judy and Mark
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