Southern Museum of Flight — Attraction in Birmingham

This Place is EWEP. Excellent, Worth Every Penny. As an aviation history buff (wrote Virginia and the Kidd about the leading ace of the leading squadron of the leading fighter group in the ETO of WW2 - available on Amazon), I have toured/visited, rated just about every aviation museum in the 48 states. The SMF is a hidden jewel. Tucked "behind" the Birmingham airport, you first encounter their outdoor display, and then find the main building a couple of short blocks away. The museum is tidy, well maintained, and staffed by friendly folks. I was pleasantly surprised at the volume, and variety of exhibits. They have a great model of the USS Birmingham CL-62, and also of an Essex Aircraft Carrier (WW2 Pacific). The Birmingham was heavily involved in combat both in the Mediterranian and the Pacific, and was involved in a very famous (and tragic) event during the Battle of Leyte Gulf (the largest naval battle of all time) during Philippines Invasion in October 1944. Birmingham was alongside, assisting fire fighting of the damaged carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) when the carrier's aft magazines exploded killing or wounding over half the Birmingham's crew. But I digress, the aviation part of the museum is terrific. They have multiple aviation exhibits, including a Hind Helicopter (primary Soviet attack helicopter much like our Apache). One of the exhibits I really enjoyed was the "engine exhibits". They had a great line up of the various engines used in both fighters and bombers in both world wars, and into the jet age (if I remember correctly), and for a geek like me, it was very interesting to see the engines up close, with the technical information about their development and use. That may be a little dry if you're not a buff like me, but the whole museum is excellent. If you're in Birmingham, looking for fun, love history, and want to visit a great museum, check out the Southern Museum of Flight. Tell'em Catfish...

The Southern Museum of Flight is an absolutely captivating destination for anyone interested in the history of flight. From the earliest flying contraptions to the cutting-edge rocket-propelled aircraft of today, the museum offers a comprehensive journey through the evolution of aviation.

One particularly impactful exhibit is the dedicated section honoring the Tuskegee Airmen. This remarkable group of individuals played a pivotal role in shaping the course of history for the American armed forces. Visiting this section allowed me to gain a profound understanding of the Tuskegee Airmen's incredible contributions and the challenges they faced.

During my visit, I had the privilege of listening to firsthand accounts from one of the last remaining airmen and a nurse who served during that era. Their stories left a lasting impact on me as I learned about the struggles they endured and the triumphs they achieved despite the prevalent racism of the time. It was both enlightening and humbling to witness how these extraordinary individuals overcame formidable barriers to bring about positive change in history.

In conclusion, the Southern Museum of Flight is an enriching experience that offers a deep appreciation for the advancements in flight and the remarkable contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen. It is a place where history comes to life, and where we can honor the legacy of those who shaped the course of aviation and American armed forces...

Absolutely loved the content of this museum. However the entire experience was RUINED after the rude woman at the counter closed the gift shop over a half hour before it was supposed to be closed, according to the sign. Preventing us from picking up some items we wanted, to mark our adventure at the museum.

The woman told me that the museum closes at 4:30, and the gift shop closes at 3:30, according to a HUGE sign listed above the gift shop entry. But low and behold, at 2:58 the gift shop lights were off, and when I asked the woman why it was closed, she IGNORED me and simply walked out of the building. So my suspicion is that SHE wanted to leave work early, at the PAYING CUSTOMERS expense.

That one single individual has ruined the experience for me and my 6 friends who might have made a return trip, however, not anymore.

She is solely responsible for the museum losing a great deal of business. Absolutely disgusting behavior and attitude. We won’t be back, and neither should she, in...