· 6 min read
Iron on the Ramp: The Six Aircraft You Can Walk Up To
Six airframes on the grass, no ropes, no glass. Here is what each one did and why it's here.
Most aviation museums put their aircraft behind a rope. Ours sit on the grass at Silver Wings Field, and the show happens standing under them. Here is the iron on the ramp today.
Republic F-105 Thunderchief
The supersonic fighter-bomber that carried the war North — the airplane crews called the Thud. Dave Ferguson stood in front of 306 and said: “It is well with my soul.” Standing under it while a former Aviation Cadet tells you what it was like to fly one is the part visitors write reviews about.
North American F-100 Super Sabre
First of the Century Series, and the first USAF fighter capable of supersonic speed in level flight. It set the shape of the fighters that followed it.
Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
The jet that taught generations to fly. Despite its vintage, the venerable T-Bird still serves worldwide — which tells you most of what you need to know about the design.
Convair T-29
The “flying classroom” — where navigators learned their trade at 20,000 feet, at stations along the fuselage, with the instructor watching every plot.
Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
Primary trainer for the Air Force, the Navy, and base aero clubs across the country. For a lot of pilots, the first airplane they ever soloed.
Northrop F-5
Part of the family of light supersonic fighters designed and built by Northrop — small, fast, and flown by air forces around the world.
See them in person
The aircraft are part of the 3:00 PM show, one show per day, April 1 through October 31, closed Sundays. Adults $20, children ages 7–12 $10. Reservations required — and pilots can fly in to 55AR with prior permission.