The Curtiss P-40E Warhawk and many more can be viewed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.

Planes, rockets, space flight memorabilia, presidential planes, aviation history, military history, and even a Bob Hope special exhibit — there is something for everyone at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. You’d think that because the National Museum of the United States Air Force is second only to the Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian that a visit would put a big dent in your wallet. But no; a visit to the museum is very inexpensive. Admission is free; the tours are free; and if you pack a cooler with your lunch and eat at one of very nice picnic pavilions in Memorial Park on the grounds of the museum, the only cost you’ll have is the gasoline for the trip. There are some “pay” things to see and do; but they are definitely not essential to having a fantastic time at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. And if you’re really not the picnic type, the Valkyrie cafe on the second floor of the museum has very reasonably priced pizza, sandwiches and snacks Since more than 1.5 million people visit the museum annually, upon your arrival, the first order of business is to make reservations for any of the tours you might want to take because they fill up quickly. On this visit, my husband, John, and I decided to head over to the Presidential and R & D Galleries. It’s been a few years since I’d gone over to the gallery; and things really have changed.