Pilgrimage to Wright-Patterson, recommendations?

Hi folks, hope this message finds everyone well.
It's vacation time, and the lady and I are prepping up the camera gear for the first stop in our summer road trip:
That's right, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
We've Already signed up and are cleared for the "behind the scenes" tour, but I wanted to ask the community if anyone had any recommendations of cool places to visit in the area, especially places with a good view of the landing/takeoff airspace!
Thanks in advance, and All the best!

a reply to: HomeyKXTA

There's a small airport not far from there. The museum has a few good viewing areas of the base, if they're flying. Weekday, or weekend?

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: HomeyKXTA

There's a small airport not far from there. The museum has a few good viewing areas of the base, if they're flying. Weekday, or weekend?

Thanks Zaph! It'll be Weekday! Probably will want to start snapping around 6 or 7

a reply to: HomeyKXTA

Then you'll probably catch at least one C-17 flying around doing touch and go landings.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: HomeyKXTA

Then you'll probably catch at least one C-17 flying around doing touch and go landings.

I sure hope so.
Last time I showed up to an AFB(Beale) just on a fluke, I got treated to quite the Touch & Go treat.

Loved going to that museum. When we still lived in Columbus, we would visit there at least 2-3 times a year. I hear they have now opened a new hangar with more exhibits. Have fun!

Fourth Building Now Open

a reply to: HomeyKXTA

It's cool to get to see them do a touch and go, but so much cooler to be out with the pogo team on the runway.

originally posted by: jtrenthacker
Loved going to that museum. When we still lived in Columbus, we would visit there at least 2-3 times a year. I hear they have now opened a new hangar with more exhibits. Have fun!

Fourth Building Now Open

I am ecstatic to check out the fourth building. I can't wait to be in a museum that I'm allowed to take photos in!
=D

a reply to: Zaphod58

I know you were fathered in (literally), where do us pleebs sign up?

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: HomeyKXTA

It's cool to get to see them do a touch and go, but so much cooler to be out with the pogo team on the runway.

Oh you lucky mother trucker.
Well, you and your pogo team can go jump right back into iour fancy corvettes(or is it mustangs now?) And hightail it out of here before us non-NDA boys interrogate you using the highest barrel proof bourbon we can find
And what's this I'm told about the hill right by the final approach? Is it still a green light?

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: HomeyKXTA

It's cool to get to see them do a touch and go, but so much cooler to be out with the pogo team on the runway.

Oh you lucky mother trucker.
Well, you and your pogo team can go jump right back into iour fancy corvettes(or is it mustangs now?) And hightail it out of here before us non-NDA boys interrogate you using the highest barrel proof bourbon we can find
And what's this I'm told about the hill right by the final approach? Is it still a green light?

a reply to: HomeyKXTA

Last time I saw they were riding in Pontiac GTO's and G8's. Not sure if they've changed or not.

a reply to: Sammamishman

They like them. They're fast enough to keep up easily, and can accelerate quickly so they don't get left behind.

a reply to: Sammamishman

Youre absolutely right. According to the new youtube video's(the most recent, and accurate news source) they're definitely P.O.N.T.I.A.C's . I could have sworn they were using Corvettes or Mustangs last year...am I totally wrong about this?
Most important note: Nothing wrong with those 4 wheeled american dream machines on a flight line. Especially when they've got a fellow pilot behind the wheel.
Another american dream machine:

just uploaded many photos this evening. I think i may start a new post on the area 51 forum with some photos from around the NT(T)R starting back in 1997 (I have a photo taken at the TTR mancamp main gate of an incoming Janet flight, along with crash debris from the F-4 Phantoms that had an inflight collision, as well as this:

I also found the "Aurora" trading card. Don't worry, both cards have "fact" sheets on the other side of the trading cards
last but not least, ill also post up photos like this.

I was barely double digits when this photo was taken by my dad.
Thank goodness he would challenge me to play chicken with the Dudes way back when

a reply to: HomeyKXTA

Another gallery of the large gallery I have to post:
After asking for permission from the Wright-Patt/Edwards staff, and all other amazing volunteer staff who have made these kisses possible, the lady and I have been given so many green lights to complete our mission:
To kiss underneath the frames of some of the modern aviation legends. This round was here at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. During heavy observation of course.
Some of these you'll just have to believe me they happened, because we were not allowed to cuddle under these planes....not allowed to take photos of such encounters if they ever did happen.
Here's our kissing list so far. Along with some Cool airplane phtos when it happened
F-117A (EDW) (Cooley's Night Hawk. RIP)
YF-22 (EDW)
YF-23 (Wright-Patt)
Tactic Blue (Wright-Patt)
Bird Of Prey (Wright-Patt)
Sr-71(EDW&Wright-Patt...thats right, two times!)
YF-12A (Wright-Patt)
B-2 Spirit Of Freedom (Wright-Patt)
Andddd...This...another drone
Please enjoy the photos! Hope you like them! more to Come

a reply to: HomeyKXTA

Purty birds. I really liked that darkstar hiding in the shadows.

a reply to: Bfirez

Thanks man,
These photos were almost too easy with an EOS and the brilliant lighting display the folks set up here.
I'm still proud of them though
Just wait until round two.
Photos of parts I collected from the two F-4 Phantom's crashsite,
Photos of Boeing's Condor program, Packed and sealed in many packages with LOTS of info.
Photos of an Iraqi Mig in the same hangar as an Osprey.
And that's just to begin

a reply to: HomeyKXTA

Can't wait. Keep it up

a reply to: Bfirez
Sorry I haven't posted more, but here's two quick shots until the next time I can get on my computer.

Our tour group met under these words, that was the first sign confirming that we'd be seeing some fun stuff. The second exciting sign was noticing how many civilian NDA's were on hand, we didn't have to sign them, so I guess they were there "just in case"
We then went to a location in the base that I can't mention. Finally, we got to the last room that was open to us. That's when I noticed the firmly shuttered, large, blue door in the corner.
you don't have to be a UFO nut to get excited when you see a blue door at wright patt
There was more, but I think it would be inappropriate to post my thoughts on them.

On a side note, do we have any fans of prop planes/bombers here? I have lots of photos of the "Sloose" as well as the "Memphis Belle"!
If you'd like to see those being restored feel free to ask!

a reply to: HomeyKXTA








What do you suppose the off-set paint color is all about on the broadside of Ol' Blue here?
My first thought was RAM stripping, I've only seen Black painted planes that are now RAM-less, so I can't even guess.
But I'm hoping its a similar story to the awesome decal job that F-117A #781 ("Toxic Death") got when it was retired and put on display.
One can only dream