AF museum to resume evening hours for Thursday events

Fairchild C-119J Flying Boxcar is on display in the Space Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Fairchild C-119J Flying Boxcar is on display in the Space Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

The National Museum of the United States Air Force beginning in August will resume evening hours on the first Thursday of each month.

The museum will offer the public an up-close look at different aircraft from the collection during the events, according to a release from the museum.

“During this unique time for families, it can be challenging to get out during the day,” stated U.S. Air Force Director David Tillotson. “These evening hours will provide visitors more time to grab their masks and see our new exhibits.”

The next event is from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 6, when visitors will be invited to look in the cargo hold of the C-119J Flying Boxcar, which 60 years ago made the first mid-air recovery of an object returning from space. The C-119J caught the Discoverer XIV satellite using recovery gear lowered from the open rear door. Learn more about the aircraft and its feat from museum volunteer Col. (Ret.) Jerry Millhouse.

On Aug. 6 the museum also will open the cockpit of the Soviet aircraft MiG-29A. Museum volunteer Maj. (Ret.) James Kiklasevich will give a unique perspective of the aircraft’s capabilities because while on active duty he served as an instructor pilot and is a systems engineer.

On Sept. 3, visitors will be able to look in the cockpit of the RF-4C Phantom II and learn more about it from museum volunteer Tech. Sgt. (Ret.) Bob Grimm, who worked on more than 14 difference airframes, including the RF-4C, during his military career.

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