![]() Overview of Hangar 602 | |
Established | 1976 |
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Location | Topeka, Kansas |
Coordinates | 38°56′28″N95°40′40″W / 38.9411°N 95.6777°W |
Type | Aviation museum |
Website | www |
The Combat Air Museum is a non-profit aviation museum at Topeka Regional Airport in Topeka, Kansas, United States. The museum preserves and displays U.S. military aviation history through a collection of more than 40 historic aircraft, including World War I replicas, World War II trainers, Cold War jets, and helicopters. In addition to its aircraft, the museum features aviation artifacts, educational programs, and exhibits on regional and national military aviation heritage. [1]
The Combat Air Museum was established in the fall of 1976 as the Kansas Wing of David Tallichet's Yesterday's Air Force (YAF), a private collection dedicated to preserving military aviation history. [2] [3] [a] The organization's first aircraft was a B-24 named Delectable Doris. It moved to Hangar 626 and opened in July 1977. [5] By 1979, the group reorganized as the Combat Air Museum and relocated to Hangar 602 at Forbes Field in Topeka, Kansas. [6]
The museum explored the possibility of establishing a wing in Wichita in early 1981. [7] Later that year, it partnered with the AirCraft Enthusiasts Society (ACES) to propose an aviation museum in the city. [8]
The museum's "Detachment 1" operated at the Augusta Municipal Airport in 1991. [9]
The museum attempted to acquire an RB-47 named City of Salina from the Salina Airport in 1991 after the airport sought a new home for it. [10] [b]
A 60 ft (18 m) tower that had been built as a memorial to World War II veterans was re-erected at the museum in 1993. [c] [12]
The board of directors decided to no longer fly the museum's aircraft in April 1996 due to a lack of insurance. [13]
An O-47 that was on loan to the museum was sold by its owner in 2014. [14] [15]
The museum added three bays to display additional artifacts in 2025. [16] A temporary exhibition of art featuring the Red Baron was announced in July 2025. [17]
The museums collection includes more than 40 aircraft ranging from World War I replicas to Cold War-era jets and helicopters, illustrating the evolution of U.S. military aviation.
The collection includes:
The museum held an annual airshow called Superbatics from 1976 to at least 1995. [66] [67]
The museum holds an annual 5k run/walk fundraiser. [68]