The Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum [VISIT]

Founded in 1977, the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum is located at the Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Florida. The museum covers 30,000 square feet across a main display hangar, a Vietnam-era hangar, and a restoration hangar. It boasts a collection of over 50 aircraft spanning multiple generations, as well as artifacts from World War I through Desert Storm.

THE VOLUNTEERS

The volunteers are what make this place special — the aircraft restoration experts who, in most cases, maintained these aircraft in the military or built them for defense contractors, have donated tens of thousands of hours restoring them. 

While at the museum, you’ll be guided by a docent. The word docent comes from the Latin word “docere,” meaning to teach. According to the dictionary, a docent is “a lecturer or tour guide in a museum or cathedral.” Docents are specialized, usually volunteer educators who provide in-depth knowledge and interactive learning. The docents who guide you through the exhibits with extra-special knowledge of each aircraft are many of whom were pilots or crew chiefs on these very aircraft. 

The Warbird Museum is very hands-on. With a collection of simulators, including the F-106 Delta Dart, the A-6 Intruder, the OV-1D Mohawk, and two general aviation simulators, combined with the knowledge of docents and the ability to climb into many of these aircraft, the museum creates an atmosphere of learning second to none.

THE LINK TRAINER

Created in the early 1930s, the Link trainer, also known as the “Blue Box,” revolutionized pilot training during WWII. It used a mechanical system of bellows, valves, and pumps to simulate instrument flying conditions. During WWII, Link produced over 10,000 units, which trained over 500,000 U.S. pilots.

FOKKER DR.1 DREI DECKER

Built in response to the successful British Sopwith triplane, the Fokker DR.1 built a reputation as one of the best dogfighters in WWI. Equipped with two Spandau 7.92mm LMG 08/15 machine guns, the DR.1 enabled Manfred von Richthofen, the “Red Baron,” to score 19 victories in this model.

Although Fokker produced 320 DR.1s, none survived intact. The museum’s example is an original metal frame, while everything else has been fabricated. The motor is an original type for the Fokker DR.1. 

XP-82 TWIN MUSTANG

One of the several Heavy Hitters at the museum is the XP-82 Twin Mustang. It was designed as a long-range escort for the B-29 Superfortress for missions over 2,000 miles, such as the Philippines to Tokyo. Unfortunately, the first units came off the production line after the war’s end. With the war over, the radar-equipped Twin Mustang saw use as an all-weather day/night interceptor, replacing the Northrop P-61 Black Widow.

The P-82 first saw combat in Korea. On June 25, 1950, the invasion of South Korea began when 90,000 North Korean troops punched through the 38th parallel. P-82 alert crews at Itazuke AB, Japan, were ordered to fly to the area on a reconnaissance mission. Upon arrival, the crews saw large convoys of North Korean Trucks and tanks. F-82s shot down the first three North Korean aircraft destroyed by U.S. forces.

While many think it was simply two P-51s bolted together, that was not the case. The Twin Mustang has only a 20 percent commonality with the P-51 Mustang. The fuselage sections were redesigned and extended by 57 inches; dorsal fins were added; and the landing gear was moved, with each side retracting into the fuselage. The two fuselage sections were joined by a center wing section equipped with six, .50-caliber machine guns, each with a capacity of 400 rounds. The XP-82 on display here is the only airworthy Twin Mustang in existence.

DOUGLAS C-47 SKYTRAIN “TICO BELLE”

The C-47 was an iconic aircraft responsible for the majority of the airlift during WWII. The C-47 was a militarized version of the DC-3, which took its maiden flight on December 23, 1941, just 16 days after Pearl Harbor. The Skytrain boasted modifications such as a larger cargo door, a strengthened floor, and an astrodome above the cockpit for celestial navigation. 

The Warbird Museum has the flagship C-47 “Tico Belle” as part of their collection. On the 5th of June 1944, at approximately 2300 hours, she, along with hundreds like her at other airfields, launched from RAF Ramsbury, England, loaded with paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division. At approximately 0400 hours, June 6, 1944, she made her approach on landing zone “O” near St Mere-Eglise at 500 feet while German 88s filled the sky with flak and dropped brave men into Normandy. Operation Neptune (D-Day) had begun. 

This was just the first mission for Tico Belle. She continued to do her duty and dropped airborne troops into Southern France – July 1944 — Operation Dragoon, Holland — September 1944 — Operation Market-Garden, Belgium — December 1944 — Relief of Bastogne (The Battle of the Bulge), and Germany — March 1945 — Operation Varsity.

After the war, she remained stationed in the ruins of Europe. She participated in the Berlin Airlift before joining the Royal Norwegian Air Force and, finally, VIP transport with the Royal Danish Air Force. Tico Belle arrived at the Warbird Museum in 1988. She is ready for her next mission and provides airlift for the Phantom Airborne Brigade.

GRUMMAN F9F-5 PANTHER

The Panther was the first jet-powered fighter to see air-to-air combat with the U.S. Navy, the first jet fighter for Grumman, and the first jet aircraft flown by the Blue Angels. The Panther was the primary ground-attack aircraft flown by the U.S. Navy and Marines during the Korean War, logging over 78,000 sorties. The Panther was the star of the movie The Bridges at Toko Ri with William Holden, who was trained how to taxi a Panther for the close-up cockpit shots. 

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F-4 PHANTOM

The Phantom is another legend in the world of fighters. The Phantom struck fear into the hearts of the enemy when the smoke from its two General Electric J-79 engines announced the Phantom’s arrival before you could see the plane. With over 5,000 produced, the Phantom was brutally effective and is billed as “The World’s Largest Distributor of MIG parts.” 

GRUMMAN F-14 TOMCAT

Using intelligence gleaned from the Vietnam War, there was a competition to replace the F-4 Phantom. The initial candidate was the Grumman F-111.  As always, there was an interservice rivalry with the USAF, and the Navy stepped away from the F-111 and adopted the F-14 design, which incorporated the same variable-sweep wing. 

The carrier-based variable-sweep wing Tomcat was simply the best fighter-bomber of its time.  Armed with the AIM-54 Phoenix missile, capable of shooting down enemy aircraft over 100 miles beyond visual range. The Tomcat was a formidable weapons system. 

Its starring role in Top Gun made life easy for U.S. Navy recruiters, as this aircraft made every young man want to be a fighter pilot. 

THE B-52 NOSE SECTION

This B-52 Stratofortress was demilitarized for compliance with an arms reduction treaty. The cockpit section was saved and now sits at the Warbird Museum.

Although the BUFF is a large aircraft, the cockpit area is pretty tight. The lower deck is reserved for the offensive and defensive weapons operators and the navigator-bombardier. The upper deck is for the pilot and copilot. As you enter, you’ll hear radio traffic throughout the cockpit recorded from Linebacker II bombing missions over Vietnam. With an order for new Rolls-Royce engines, the B-52 will live on for another 30 years.

RESTORATION HANGAR

There are several restoration projects ongoing at the museum. Including an OV-1 Mohawk, several more simulators, and a Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw helicopter that was converted into a flying camper by Orlando Heli-Camper.

ARTIFACTS

There are various artifacts located in the memorabilia hall, as well as throughout the museum, including displays of the Tuskegee Airmen, the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots (WASPS), a General Electric I-A, which was the first working jet engine in the United States, and the plexiglass nose cone of a B-17 donated and signed by Captain Robert Morgan, pilot of the Memphis Belle, and much more.

VISIT

The Warbird Museum is a must-see for military aviation fans. These restored warbirds offer a unique look into U.S. history. The museum sponsors fly-ins and air shows, and has a STEM program to educate students interested in these areas. The Museum also offers memberships and is always looking for volunteers. On your way out, don’t forget to stop by the museum gift shop for some unique souvenirs.

THE VALIANT AIR COMMAND WARBIRD MUSEUM

• ADDRESS: 6600 Tico Road, Titusville, FL 32780
• PHONE: (321) 268-1941
• HOURS: Open Daily: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
• Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
• ADMISSION: Adult: Onsite: $25, Online: $23 | Senior/Military: Onsite: $23, 
• Online: $22 | Student (Ages 13–18): $10 | Children (Ages 5–12): $5
• URL: warbirds@valiantaircommand.com

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