8th Air Force Museum ©R. Christensen Click for larger image.
The Mighty 8th Air Force Museum was established to preserve the memory of the pilots, airmen, and ground crews who served during World War II. The Mighty 8th alone suffered roughly 26 thousand casualties during the war. The museum building focuses on various aspects of the aircraft and history, while the grounds feature memorials and a beautiful chapel. The museum is located off Interstate 95 just outside of Savannah, Georgia and is an essential stop for any visitor exploring the amazing history of this great city.
8th Air Force Museum ©R. Christensen Click for larger image.
The main hall is dominated by a restored B-17 bomber painting in the City of Savannah scheme. The room also includes large and small scale models of various aircraft from the war and a nose section of a B-25 for a closer look. Just off the main hall there are several rooms and displays detailing different aspects of the war, such as POW camps and daily life. There is an amazing amount of personal memorabilia donated by former Service members and their families. These displays really bring home the human part of history.
8th Air Force Museum ©R. Christensen Click for larger image.
Outside the 8th Air Force museum there is a large garden with several memorial stones dedicated to different Air Force groups. A chapel, built in 2002, features an awe inspiring collection of stained glass windows and vintage woodwork. See the video below for a tour. There is also a Cold War era B-47 bomber parked outside in view of I-95. There is also a Vietnam era MiG-15 and F-4 Phantom alongside the parking lot that you can get right up to for a close look. Watch the video below for a full tour of the museum and grounds.
Visiting the 8th Air Force Museum
The 8th Air Force museum is open daily 9-5. There is a large gift shop featuring everything from t-shirts to toys and military patches. A replica British pub serves lunch just off the lobby and some fast food restaurants are located nearby. Tickets are $12 adult, $8 ages 6-12, $11 seniors and retired military, $8 active duty, and WWII vets get in free. Plan on anywhere from one to four hours depending on how closely you want to see all of the artifacts and displays. For more information click here to visit the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum’s website.
8th Air Force Museum Guide
