by The New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Conn., is the place to go if you like things that fly.
Unfortunately, it turns out I do not like looking at things that fly, but Doug apparently does. It mostly involved me not paying a lot of attention, losing Doug, and texting him to find out where he was. I think Doug’s experience was a little different than mine.
Connecticut’s claims in aviation history are rich.
Aircraft engine maker Pratt & Whitney was founded in the state and still calls East Hartford its headquarters, while Sikorsky Aircraft pioneered the development of helicopters for civilian and military use.
And let’s not forget Gustav Whitehead, who may have flown his steam-powered aircraft before the Wright brothers but apparently didn’t know that he had to have photographs taken in order to properly document his flights!
The museum includes three large hangars filled with planes, helicopters, and other oddities, with still more on display outside.
You can also try actual flight training simulators for an additional fee. While we did not opt to do those, we watched others doing them, with big smiles on their faces. Doug did undertake a successful flight using Microsoft’s Flight Simulator at a workstation set up in one corner of the museum.
The items on display range from early flying machines to super-sonic jets to a Goodyear Blimp, along with engines and exhibits. Doug spent a lot of time exploring the fully-restored cabin of a naval airship dating from the 1940s that was used by Goodyear after it was retired from military service.
Docents are available throughout the museum who can tell stories and add color. I talked to a Vietnam Veteran about displayed planes used in Vietnam.
Many items are set up so you can go inside for a more hands-on experience. There is also a large museum library.
The museum began when a group wanted to save an old biplane. The first public display was in 1967, though that first plane was subsequently destroyed by fire.
The museum suffered a devastating tornado in 1979, destroying the building and damaging many planes, some beyond repair.
They embarked on a massive and successful rebuilding plan and have been in their current location next to the Hartford-Springfield Bradley International Airport since 1981.
