Pueblo Air Museum

Colorado has two outstanding military aircraft orientated museums. One I’ve visited several times is at the old Lowry Field in Denver.

www.wingsmuseum.org

The other, in Pueblo at the airport, I was able to visit last week. The airport was the site of a major B-24 training base.

www.pwam.org

Pueblo is the hometown of four Medal of Honor winners, two who attended the same high school.

www.pueblohomeofheros.org

What follows are about ninety photographs (taken by an amateur with a cheap camera). You have been warned. For all you aviation professionals, I was a Combat Engineer and a civilian only pilot. Cut me some slack, please.

Lets start with something for Murphy.

And something for old NFO.

Oh, yes. Can’t forget OldAFSarge. Bet he started his career with these. Sorry, they don’t have an F-4!

 The star, the B-29.

Always popular, the C 47/DC3

Helicopters!

No Colorado museum can ignore Colorado built aircraft, the Alexander.

Sadly, for an old B-24 trailing base, this is their only B-24.

Some are still outside. B-47, C-119, P-2, F9F.

All kinds of ground vehicles.

Trainers. T-41, T-28, T-34, T-33.

Some infantry weapons.

A F-100.

How about  the F-86?

Tucked to one side, a F-8U.

Got to have some rockets.

F-104, F-5, F-80, A-5, and a favorite, the A-4.

Can’t forget the Coast Guard Convair HC 131.

The working end of a C-130.

Making things go.

Did I forget the F9F?

And this is?

Lots of displays of people and memorabilia.

This museum is an all volunteer operation. Think many of them are retired NCOs.

Admission for old farts is only $5. There are numerous donation boxes scattered among the exhibits for those who wish to make discrete donations.

A local Model A club was visiting.

Weather permitting, there will be a fly in 6/13 to 6/15 2014. They are expecting a B-29, among other aircraft.

Rocky Mountain Flower is the airport FBO. Their operation is within walking distance of the museum, and they will provide free shuttle service for those who need it. (719) 948-3316.

The airport is at 4700 MSL with a 10,000’+ runway. Pueblo gets hot, and your density altitude can easily exceed 10,000’. Ignore that at your peril!

Back to The Day by Day

Granddaughter graduated from High School. There were about twenty of us there to cheer her on. What a delightful young woman she has become.

Lots of time with the other grandkids. We went to the zoo. What a mob of grandparents, great aunts, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. What a great time!

Had a chance to talk to my son and daughter in law at some length. He has some serious service related health issues. They are having problems with the bills and ongoing care for the son involved in the horrid van accident. Let's see. US Government owned van. Being transported on a US Government sponsored and sanctioned trip. Driver a US Government licensed employee. Nope, the government isn't liable for the injuries to all those kids; all of whom are military dependents.

Speaking of stupid. The weather today was severe clear, no wind borne dust, extremely dry roads with no curves for miles. Yet, there were seven accidents involving cars traveling to the venue, even in the parking lot.

The various speakers surprised me. Lots of references to God and to Jesus; all of which received wild applause from the audience. Talked about their 91% graduation rate in spite of way to many meaningless tests - this was administrators talking. Seems at least one New Mexico High School isn't following the progressive line. From the crowd's response, it is obvious the community agrees. Finally, the principal told the graduates they are facing an economy that sucks, that is bleeding the middle class, and the prospects for them having as good a life as their parents aren't good. His message was adapt and keep learning. Not what I expected to hear!