Castle Air Museum
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Castle Air Museum - by Mitchfromsyd on Google
Description
Castle Air Museum displays a large collection of vintage military aircraft on the site of a former US Air Force Strategic Air Command base. It became private when the base closed in 1995. There are about 60 aircraft on display, including the famous Lockheed SR-71 'Blackbird' (cruising at Mach 3+) and the VC-9C Presidential Aircraft used as Air Force One in the past. The indoor museum holds war-time memorabilia and uniforms from the Army Air Corps and Air Force.
Access & Transport
Address: 5050 Santa Fe Drive, Atwater, California This is in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, adjacent to Castle Airport. Drive time is approximately one hour from Fresno, two hours from Sacramento, and three hours from San Francisco Getting there info: https://www.castleairmuseum.org/visitor-information
Instructions & Recommendations
Note that touring the VC-9C Presidential Aircraft requires purchase of a separate ticket.
Environmental & Social
Green activity. Helps preserve a "technical heritage" but the military/bomber aspect is a negative
Conclusion
From a technical standpoint, this is an extremely impressive collection - quite pricey but that is partly explained by the lack of government funding. Ethically though, bear in mind that a lot of those aircrafts were tools of destruction and there were often used on the wrong side of the moral compass.
Key positive
Large collection with some rare 'birds'
Key negative
Quite expensive
Suitability
No restrictions though the Air Force One tour is not accessible to wheelchair users
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
Updated in July 2023
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h
est. visit time:1h 30m
Monday09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday09:00 - 16:00
Thursday09:00 - 16:00
Friday09:00 - 16:00
Saturday09:00 - 16:00
Sunday09:00 - 16:00