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 Welcome
to The AMC Museum
 Click
to Focus on...The C-141A |
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| During WWII, the 4146 Base Unit was involved in secret
rocket development at what was then known as Dover Army Airfield. The building
complex where these military secret operations took place was Hanger 1301.
From the 1950's to the 1970's, various fighter squadrons called the
hangar home. In the 1990's, after restoration and placement on the National
Register of Historic Places, Hanger 1301 has been given new life as the
home of The Air Mobility Command Museum.
The museum houses a growing collection of vintage planes and artifacts that reflect the evolution and history of the Air Mobility Command, and of the varied missions of Dover AFB since its beginnings in 1941. |
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| The museum began in 1986 with a single C-47A that was rejected
as “beyond salvage” by other museums. Today, it stands immaculately
restored, complete with D-Day invasion stripes, as it was when it served
with the 61st Troop Carrier Squadron in World War II. Its extensive
combat history is meticulously documented with actual photos and memorabilia
donated by former crewmembers.
Dover's first strategic airlifter is represented by the only remaining C-54M, which was specially modified during the Berlin Airlift for hauling coal. The Skymaster’s restoration was also quite extensive, and took several years. The inside shows examples of its World War II cargo and passenger configurations. During the restoration process, we were fortunate to find a photograph of this aircraft showing its military serial #44-9030 and the markings it carried in the Pacific Theater in World War II. They were still in place during her service in the Berlin Airlift, and we have restored the aircraft in these markings. One of the most charismatic planes in the collection is undoubtedly the B-17 Flying Fortress. Although produced too late to see combat in WW II, #44-83624 saw extensive service. First in a highly secret project that resurrected the idea of using obsolete aircraft as radio-controlled flying bombs, then as a drone-control aircraft in the ground-to-air missile development program. The collection also includes a C-45 light cargo plane and, to represent Dover's air defense role, an F-101B Voodoo and an F-106A Delta Dart. Our PT-17 bi-plane trainer was restored using pieces from several aircraft and hand fabricated replica parts. This rounds out our collection of trainers, which includes a BT-13, an AT-6 and a T-33, the USAF’s first jet trainer. An HH-43 helicopter is on display in the main hangar, it is used to depict the Air Rescue Service story. Along one wall of the hangar is a series of rooms that each tells a story. One relates the history of airlift during the Korean War. Other rooms relate the accomplishments of Air Force enlisted members, selected Air Force airlift operations, and one that explains Dover’s role in the development of rockets during World War II. More aircraft and displays are being added regularly. Group tours are available through the Public Affairs Office, (302) 677-3355. |
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The Air Mobility Command Museum P.O. Box 02050 Dover AFB, DE 19902-5144 302-677-5938 amcmuseum.org museum@dover.af.mil |
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