United States Air Force Museum Early Years Gallery

The Early Years Gallery is an eclectic mix of early biplanes through pre WWII all metal monoplanes. Some of the biplanes are excellent reproductions and a few are originals. The BT-14 trainer crash diorama is very well done and amusing. The color pattern on the Fokker D. VII is quite striking. The Standard J-1 is very impressive as it's translucent fabric reveals a good deal of the internal ribs and spars of the wing. The staff have done a good job with the lighting.

But oddly the exhibit that seemed most striking was the observation balloon hanging from the ceiling. It is dark and dimly lit and you are not entirely aware of it at first, but it seems very large and ominous. The Hawker Hurricane diorama is excellent, but I thought that aircraft should have been in the WWII Air power gallery. This is a wonderful gallery for those fans of early biplanes and related artifacts.