Have you or your children ever wanted to see military aircraft up close and personal? Well, the Military Aviation Museum will be your favorite place to explore. So keep reading to check out all that this museum has to offer!
About the Military Aviation Museum
The Military Aviation Museum was formed by Gerald and Elaine Yagen, who are longtime residents of the Virginia Beach area. Gerald was an aviation pilot who never had the opportunity to serve in the military. However, he has been collecting World War I and World War II-era military aircraft, and the museum now carries one of the largest private collections. Most planes at the Military Aviation Museum are still flown today during flight demonstrations and annual airshows! Two of the most known aircraft at this museum are the Curtis P-40 fighter plane, shot down while protecting the Murmansk seaport, and the Chance Vought Corsair, which flew off an aircraft carrier during the Battle of Okinawa. There is so much history within this museum!
Exhibits
When visiting the Military Aviation Museum, you are guaranteed to educate yourself while having fun! This self-guided museum has docents at each plane exhibit to help you understand what you’re seeing. The exhibits include the Army Hangar, Navy Hangar, WWI Hangar, Cottbus, Fighter Factory, and The Goxhill Tower. The Fighter Factory is particularly fascinating, as it is a restoration and maintenance facility! They maintain and restore WWI and WWII aircraft, with a large inventory from both wars and the Korean War. In addition, you can find fighters, bombers, training aircraft, Military Warbirds, and liaison planes! The Goxhill tower is also the very first British Control Tower in America, and it’s the original one, not a reproduction!
Activities
Additionally, you can participate in unique activities at the museum! For example, kids can participate in a dinosaur scavenger hunt. The Military Aviation Museum has dinosaur sculptures at the entrance to the Virginia Beach Airport and museum property. Children can hunt around and find each dinosaur that is on the property!
From the end of April through October, you and your family can also take a ride in one of their aircraft! One of their veteran pilots will fly you over the countryside of Virginia Beach, Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, and the Intracoastal Waterway. You will have two planes to choose from for your flight. The 1941 Boeing Sternam is an open-cockpit flight, with the plane being a primary trainer for the Air Force, Navy, and Canadian Air Force. A 15-minute ride begins at $175, and a 30-minute flight starts at $285. The 1989 Waco YMF-5 is slightly more expensive, and you can have a single or double rider. Again, 15-minute flights begin at $235, and 30-minute flights start at $375.
Events
The Military Aviation Museum hosts weekly and monthly events throughout the year! Every Tuesday, kids can join the museum for a story and project on the Mezzanine. The fee is $2. One day per month, home school students can visit the museum for a hands-on learning experience with science, history, and engineering! Each Saturday of the summer, the museum showcases historical events and aircraft through narrated flight demonstrations. Summer Camp is also available for kids yearly, starting at $300 for five full days. Camp themes often include Explorers Code Breakers, Explorer Tanks & Tracks, Navy Fighter Pilot, and Aviation Art & Photography.
During winter break for school, kids can visit the museum for fun, hands-on activities! In addition, special events such as The Flying Proms Airshow and South Pacific Luau and Hangar Dance occur throughout the year. There are so many events and activities that you may just need to do them all!
Hours, Rates, and Location
The Military Aviation Museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. They are closed on major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Members, children five and under, and WWII and Korean war veterans are always free. Admission for everyone else ranges between $7-15, depending on the age. You can also inquire about group rates for ten or more people! You can visit the museum at 1341 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23457
Military Aviation Museum
With all the historical artifacts, exhibits, events, and activities that the Military Aviation Museum offers, it’s a surprise you’re not headed there right now! So, grab the family and take a trip to the museum to fly high in the sky.
Are you looking for more Virginia Beach content? Then, click on the links below!
