Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Mountain Flying Museum

Missoula, MT  - Clear but smoke coming back into the valley. We are actually back in Helena but I still have one more post after this one from our trip to Missoula.

Hey Gary – thought you might really enjoy this one.

20170814_111244

From their Mission Statement: To preserve for future generations, the legends, lore and historical legacy of pilots and other individuals whose pioneering aviation exploits helped bring America’s Rocky Mountain West into the Air Age.

20170814_105943 

The Museum was established in 1993 basically because three guys wanted to honor and preserve the history of the Johnson Flying Service. The Johnson Flying Service was a premier service in the Northern Rockies from the late 1920’s to the early 1970’s stationed in Missoula.

20170814_110010

20170814_110110

Like all small volunteer museums, this museum has struggled to stay afloat but with help from several people and the airport (which is where they are located), they have been able to grow and raise the money they need to stay open.

20170814_11012420170814_110653

A Model 18 Twin Beech aircraft.

20170814_110717

20170814_110839

20170814_110934

This is a metal windsock used at Dixon, MT back in the early 1930’s.

20170814_111009

20170814_111124

1942 Ford Jeep

20170814_111320

This DC-3 was flown by Johnson Flying Service and was used to drop 15 Smokejumpers into Mann Gulch on August 5, 1949. Eleven of the smokejumpers and one Fire Guard were killed fighting this fire.

20170814_111331

20170814_111422

20170814_111710

20170814_111740

20170814_111845

20170814_111514

There is so much more information in this museum and if you are a pilot or just enjoy planes, it is a great place to spend a couple of hours.

6 comments:

  1. So glad a small museum has the love and support of the airport and very generous people. Looks like a super place to visit.
    I think Jim would make a great pilot. He seems to be able to get in and out of those little doors...hehe

    ReplyDelete
  2. How incredibly interesting!! I love small museums like this one!!
    You can learn so much about our history and the past!! This museum looks well done and informative!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sometimes small museums like this are the best, great find!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks like Jim had an enjoyable visit

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a fun museum and some great history that has been preserved.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh WOW. You know me. Anything with airplanes is what I enjoy looking at . I'd like that museum for sure.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting today. I look forward to reading your comments. Have a beautiful day.