WWII Flight Training Museum — Attraction in Douglas

A Diamond in Douglas

The World War II Flight Training Museum exceeded my expectations - and that was before the docent took us to the hangers!

The preserved and restored barracks contain other artifacts of the life lived by the trainees and of the air campaigns against the Nazis and Japanese waged by men trained at this and other flight schools around the country.

My favorite items included a Norden Bomb Sight, a form letter sent to the parents of the men being trained, anti-aircraft machine guns, a brief history of the mission in Asia of Chennault’s Flying Tigers and the story of a trainee who went on to win the Medal of Honor.

Then we went to the hangers!

There are fully restored training planes AND an actual B-17 Bomber in the process of being restored. Also turrets from different machine gun positions on a B-17 and the modular engines which will some day power the restored plane.

If anyone reading this knows Don Brooks, the driving force behind the Liberty Foundation, please pass on my gratitude for doing so much to preserve the history of America when we were at our best.

I’d also like to thank our docent/tour guide and all of the volunteers who labor to preserve this...

I enjoyed a Very interesting and educational personal tour led by a Very well informed retired Air Force officer, A tour started in the main building which is also the visitor center This building is packed with very many authentic displays from the time period when the Sight was an Army Air Force training center Training needed pilots for The anticipated upcoming World War II The tour continued behind the main building and the 2 hangers on the edge of the airstrip The 1st hanger housed The sections of a large World War II bomber Being reassembled to be used in air shows The 2nd hangar housed Several World War II air training planes that are functional I am also the personal aircraft of the 2 businessmen that own all the aircraft on the site There were several intact and Nearly functional aircraft on the tarmac outside of the hangers I was also fortunate to meet one of the owners of the aircraft that are on site. There is no set admission, only a small suggested donation which is posted on the door to the...

Very nice and interesting museum.  It covers the history when it was used as a WWII pilot training base.  John, the on-site host, provided a complete background on the base with many details regarding its history.  They ask for a small donation to see the museum.  The museum consists of just a couple of small rooms, but quite a bit of WWII memorabilia (see pictures).  It only takes about 1 hour to view and examine the items, but all should stop to educate themselves on the time period and the great men & women who contributed to the USA history. I highly recommend a visit when...