South Dakota Air and Space Museum

Last updated
South Dakota Air and Space Museum
South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Oct 2011.JPG
USA South Dakota location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ellsworth AFB
Location within South Dakota
Established1983
LocationAdjacent to Ellsworth Air Force Base, Box Elder, South Dakota, United States
Coordinates 44°08′0.82″N103°04′23.31″W / 44.1335611°N 103.0731417°W / 44.1335611; -103.0731417
Type Aviation museum
Collection size25+ aircraft
FounderGerald E. Teachout
Website South Dakota Air & Space Museum

The South Dakota Air and Space Museum is an aviation museum located in Box Elder, South Dakota, just outside the main gate of Ellsworth AFB. It is dedicated to the history of the United States Air Force, the base and aerospace in South Dakota.

Contents

History

The Ellsworth Heritage Foundation was founded as a result of a United States Air Force program began in 1982 to establish museums at various bases around the country. [1] The museum was co-founded by Gerald E. Teachout in 1983. [2] Fundraising for a new building began in 1985, but the museum was given four former F-89 hangars and a two-story building that had been planned for demolition. [1] The hangars and building were moved to the museum's current location near the base's main gate in 1992. [3] [4]

The museum received a mockup of a Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit from the American Honda Motor Company in 1989. [5] [lower-alpha 1] The following year, it restored a Boeing B-29 Superfortress and received a Boeing B-47 Stratojet from Pease Air Force Base. [7]

A Convair B-36 on display in Texas was originally planned to be added to the museum in 1992, but it was eventually transferred to another museum. [8] [9] In 1994, a Minuteman II missile silo trainer located on Ellsworth Air Force Base was added to the museum inventory. [10] [lower-alpha 2]

The museum received a grant in 1998 to renovate its displays. [12] In 2001, a new entrance with a Rockwell B-1 Lancer was dedicated. [13] Following a restoration, an AGM-28 Hound Dog missile was unveiled in 2011. [14] A two-year landscaping project was completed in 2016. [15] In 2017 the museum dedicated a Titan I missile on display in the outdoor airpark. [16] In 2019, the museum partnered with the Commemorative Air Force to fly a B-25 across the state to recognize the two South Dakotans who participated in the Doolittle Raid. [17] A model of an AGM-158 missile was placed on display in 2022. [18]

Exhibits

The museum has four interior galleries named for Frank Hunter, Duke Corning, Clyde Ice, and Joe Foss. [19] [ failed verification ] Displays cover the history of aerospace technology, the World Wars, the Cold War, aviation pioneers, and Ellsworth Air Force Base.[ citation needed ] A number of training aids, such as F-106 and B-1B cockpits, an F-16 simulator, and a Minuteman Crew Mission Procedures Trainer are on display.[ citation needed ] Other exhibits include Stratobowl Balloon Launches in the 1930s, [20] 44th Bombardment Group/44th Strategic Missile Wing [ citation needed ], and the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame. [21] Since Covid the interior exhibits are closed. The official website is down as well

Collection

Aircraft on display

North American VB-25J Mitchell North American TB-25J Mitchell, Ellsworth AFB Museum, South Dakota.jpg
North American VB-25J Mitchell

Missiles on display

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellsworth Air Force Base</span> US Air Force base in Rapid City, South Dakota, US

Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB) is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located about 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Rapid City, South Dakota, just north of the town of Box Elder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Museum of the United States Air Force</span> Military and aviation museum in Dayton, Ohio, US

The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the official museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, six miles (9.7 km) northeast of Dayton, Ohio. The NMUSAF is the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world, with more than 360 aircraft and missiles on display. The museum draws about a million visitors each year, making it one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AIR-2 Genie</span> U.S. nuclear air-to-air rocket

The Douglas AIR-2 Genie was an unguided air-to-air rocket with a 1.5 kt W25 nuclear warhead. It was deployed by the United States Air Force and Canada during the Cold War. Production ended in 1962 after over 3,000 were made, with some related training and test derivatives being produced later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minuteman Missile National Historic Site</span> Historic site in South Dakota, USA

The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is an American national historic site established in 1999 near Wall, South Dakota, to illustrate the history and significance of the Cold War, the nuclear arms race, and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) development. The site preserves the last intact Minuteman II ICBM system in the United States, in a disarmed and demilitarized status. Guided tours are available of the underground Launch Control Center, and a missile silo can be observed from above. Some 450 of the newer Minuteman III missiles are still on active duty at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, Minot AFB, North Dakota, and F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum</span> Aviation museum in Nebraska , Offutt AFB

The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is a museum focusing on aircraft and nuclear missiles of the United States Air Force during the Cold War. It is located near Ashland, Nebraska, along Interstate 80 southwest of Omaha. The objective of the museum is to preserve and display historic aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles, and provide educational resources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle Air Museum</span> Military aviation museum in California

Castle Air Museum is a military aviation museum located in Atwater, California, United States adjacent to Castle Airport, a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base which was closed in 1995, after the end of the Cold War. It is one of the largest aerospace museums displaying vintage aircraft in the western United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">44th Missile Wing</span> Military unit

The 44th Missile Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Twentieth Air Force, being assigned to Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. It was inactivated on 4 July 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hill Aerospace Museum</span> Military aviation museum in Roy, Utah

Hill Aerospace Museum is a military aviation museum located at Hill Air Force Base in Roy, Utah. It is dedicated to the history of the base and aviation in Utah.

The Florence Air & Missile Museum was an aviation museum previously located at the entrance to the Florence Regional Airport, in Florence, South Carolina. The museum closed at the end of 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing EC-135</span> Command and control aircraft by Boeing

The Boeing EC-135 is a retired family of command and control aircraft derived from the Boeing C-135 Stratolifter. During the Cold War, the EC-135 was best known for being modified to perform the Looking Glass mission where one EC-135 was always airborne 24 hours a day to serve as flying command post for the Strategic Air Command in the event of nuclear war. Various other EC-135 aircraft sat on airborne and ground alert throughout the Cold War, with the last EC-135C being retired in 1998. The EC-135N variant served as the tracking aircraft for the Apollo program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">12th Air Division</span> Military unit

The 12th Air Division an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Eighth Air Force, based at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. It was inactivated on 31 July 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">66th Missile Squadron</span> Military unit

The 66th Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 44th Operations Group, stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. The 66th was equipped with the LGM-30F Minuteman II Intercontinental ballistic missile, with a mission of nuclear deterrence. With the end of the Cold War, the 66th was inactivated on 1 September 1993. Number of flights 100

<span class="mw-page-title-main">810th Strategic Aerospace Division</span> Military unit

The 810th Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command (SAC), assigned to Fifteenth Air Force at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, where it was inactivated on 30 June 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">821st Strategic Aerospace Division</span> Military unit

The 821st Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Fifteenth Air Force at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, where it was inactivated on 30 June 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">67th Missile Squadron</span> Military unit

The 67th Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 44th Operations Group, stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">68th Missile Squadron</span> Military unit

The 68th Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 44th Operations Group, stationed at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">718th Bombardment Squadron</span> Military unit

The 718th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 4128th Strategic Wing at Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas, where it was inactivated on 1 February 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">717th Bombardment Squadron</span> Military unit

The 717th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 4245th Strategic Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, where it was inactivated on 1 February 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Mobility Command Museum</span> Aviation museum in Dover Air Force Base

The Air Mobility Command Museum is a military aviation museum located at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware dedicated to the history of the Air Transport Command, Military Air Transport Service, Military Airlift Command and Air Mobility Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">90th Missile Wing</span> US Air Force unit

The 90th Missile Wing is a component of Twentieth Air Force, stationed at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base and equipped with LGM-30G Minuteman III Missiles. It has served at Warren as a component of Strategic Air Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Space Command and Air Force Global Strike Command since 1963.

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The mockup was scrapped in 2004. [6]
  2. ↑ The site was transferred to the National Park Service in September 2002. [11]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Hanson, Gordon (15 October 1985). "$500,000 Fund Drive Begun for Air Museum". Rapid City Journal. p. 3. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  2. ↑ "Gerald E. Teachout". Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  3. ↑ Hanson, Gordon (17 April 1988). "New Air and Space Museum Will Be Built at Ellsworth". Rapid City Journal. p. B1. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  4. ↑ Hanson, Gordon (30 September 1988). "Museum Gets Off the Ground as Hangars Moved to New Site". Rapid City Journal. p. B1. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  5. ↑ Hanson, Gordon (24 April 1989). "Honda Advertisement Gets Jump on Air Force Unveiling". Rapid City Journal. p. B1. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  6. ↑ Cissell, Bill (21 October 2004). "Museum Slices Stealth Display". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  7. ↑ Harlan, Bill (28 September 1990). "B-29 Superfortress Nearly Restored at Ellsworth Museum". Rapid City Journal. p. B1. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  8. ↑ Harlan, Bill (14 May 1992). "EAFB to Get Rare B-36". Rapid City Journal. pp. A1–A2. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  9. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Convair B-36J-10-CF Peacemaker, s/n 52-2827 USAF, c/n 383". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  10. ↑ Harlan, Bill (17 July 1994). "Air Museum Adds Silo". Rapid City Journal. p. 2. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  11. ↑ "Nuclear Missile Silo to Become Historic Site". Billings Gazette. AP. 28 September 2002. p. 2A. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  12. ↑ "Foundation Receives $80,000 Grant". Rapid City Journal. 9 May 1998. p. A8. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  13. ↑ Cook, Andrea J. (20 May 2007). "Museum Dedicates B-1 Lancer Bomber". Rapid City Journal. p. A11. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  14. ↑ Penzenstadler, Nick (9 May 2011). "Cold War Relic Gets New Home". Rapid City Journal. p. A3. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  15. ↑ Erwin, Nicolas Z. (6 June 2017). "Base museum receives beautification award". Ellsworth Air Force Base. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  16. ↑ Jenson, Randahl J. (24 August 2017). "A titan laid to rest". Ellsworth Air Force Base. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  17. ↑ "Raid Across South Dakota". General Aviation News. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  18. ↑ Malone, Hannah (18 April 2022). "Significant firepower". Ellsworth Air Force Base. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  19. ↑ Hanson, Gordon (6 May 1989). "Hangars Named After Three Well-Known State Aviators". Rapid City Journal. p. B1. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  20. ↑ Jeffery-Tomjack, Shell (2 September 2010). "History of Flight". Rapid City Journal. pp. C1–C2. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 "Exhibits". South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  22. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - North American VB-25J Mitchell, s/n 43-4030 USAF, c/n 108-24356, c/r N3339G". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 31 January 2022.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.