Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum — Attraction in Mukilteo

Collection is great. Museum director, volunteers, cashiers, docents, maintenance staff, pilots, and vehicle crews are always down to earth and professional. Super personable, friendly, and knowledgeable. Can't say the same for a few of the office staff unfortunately, particularly the ones who set the "Rules of Engagement", which can be found on the museum website.

If you're a photographer or videographer, this is not the place for you. Absolutely no equipment is allowed. I've been to museums all over the United States and Northwest Europe (National WWI Museum, Museum of Flight, Overlord Museum, Dead Man's Corner Museum, Overloon War Museum, etc.) and NOT ONCE DID ANY OF THOSE MUSEUMS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A STEADICAM. Do you know why those places I mentioned don't have strict rules about photography equipment? Because they understand what people are trying to do. By taking videos and pictures you're helping the museum out for getting them out to people who are interested in history. Instead, this place has "amateur photography days" on select Wednesdays between noon-4PM for $250 to non-members and $200 to members.

With that, let's talk about their membership packages: In short, they suck. I advise you to look at their website and then go look at memberships for places like Planes of Fame in Chino, CA on what real memberships should be.

What you're doing to FHCAM is making it a sad place to visit for people. With Masters of the Air coming out recently, friends have asked me where they can go to take their kids to see WWII aircraft. Mind you, we are 40 minutes away from FHCAM and I suggest they go to The Museum of Flight in Seattle.

ADDENDUM (3/9/2025) Admission to the museum is now free but you're required to fill out a waiver to enter. I have asked several people who have been to museums of various degrees and none have seen anything like this before. This isn't for an experience, ride, or special event, it is just for admittance...

This museum has an amazing collection of World War 2 airplanes and displays. The only reason for 4 stars is in comparison to the Museum of Flight and the Boeing Plant Tour, it is less comprehensive. Parking is free and you really have to drive as the location in Paine Field is not readily accessible via public transportation. The displays are in 3 hangers and what makes this collection so special is that many of the items are operational. Vintage airplanes and other items were collected by Paul Allen and made operational by his teams of mechanics. Other collections of special interest are a history of war and why they were fought in addition to women working in the aviation factory and using animals in warfare. An explanation of how the 2 nuclear bombs used to bomb Japan were of different designs was educational (with actual replicas) and even a modern nuclear bomb was represented for comparison (The size seems so small for such a destructive weapon). I spent 2 hrs and was totally Wowed by the care of the displays and conditions of these vintage airplanes. Even got a chance to talk to a mechanic to...

This museum occupies an old aircraft hanger right next to Paine Field. They host events where they crush cars with tanks and fire off cannons. Even when you're just going to look around this place is amazing! It's also a little somber, to see the history of war lain out in front of you. And a stark reminder that peace is paramount. Nonetheless it's really interesting to see all the fighter jets, tanks, and bombers. Some of which still have dirt on them from their service days.

Perhaps my favorite part is the "Why War?" exhibit, where you can see replicas of the very first atom bombs, Little Boy & Fat Man, and the history of war from basically the beginning of time until present. Einstein's letter to Roosevelt about the implication of atomic technology is there. I love the conflict simulator, where you choose a conflict and try to resolve it with as little loss of life and resources as possible.

It runs about $22 for adults and $15 for kids, so a bit pricey, but worth it. They have more than adequate free parking most days, but I'm guessing it fills up fast when they host events. We'll...