Military Aviation Museum

WWI and WWII Planes in Virginia Beach

In 2020, the COVID pandemic cancelled most air shows. Some, like Oshkosh, held virtual events. Some aviation museums are starting to reopen slowly. Hopefully people are busy in hangars restoring antique airplanes and readying them for when we can all get out and travel again.

It's no fun to be grounded when you want to fly and explore.

We have had a personal setback too, with some health issues slowing us down.  We don't have the time to check on which venues are still viable and which are things of the past.

So... Post COVID our advice is to check with each air show or museum to see if they are open and operating.  Stay safe.

We first went to the Military Aviation Museum Biplanes and Triplanes airshow in 2012.  What a great display of WWI planes! 


There were rumors at one time that the museum might close…

...but it didn’t.  We went back in 2014 for their WWII show and it was terrific.

They say, “The Military Aviation Museum is home to one of the largest private collections of World War I and World War II era military aircraft in the world.”


See Them Fly

Most of the planes in their collection are airworthy, so the most fun way to visit is to attend one of their airshows. 

When possible, their planes have been restored using original parts.   Many of the early examples are replicas, but there aren’t too many places you can see so many all at once…. and flying!

All of our photos can be seen larger by clicking on any of them.  Enjoy.


Military Aviation Museum WWI Show


Their WWI show is generally in the Fall… early October. 

In some years they have been forced to cancel due to weather…

...can’t chance flying some of those little old birds in nasty winds and rain.

But if you can get there you'll have lots of fun seeing those old Biplanes and Triplanes fly.

There are re-enactments on the ground and in the air.



Want To See Them On The Ground?

Lots Going On Besides Antique Airplanes

There is equipment on display too.  There are shows with singers and comedians, and there are the reenactors.


WWII Show Warbirds Over The Beach

Their WWII airshow is in May.  We’ve been to that too… to see the Mosquito fly. 

And fly she did...

...along with their Hurricane and Spitfire.

We missed the ME 262 because that plane can’t take off from the grass strip, and they had radio problems, so they couldn’t communicate and fly in…. darn! 

Guess that means we’ll have to go back!


Keep in mind that with these private collections, planes sometimes change hands, and some may be out for restoration or maintenance, but we'll show you a selection of what we saw...

Allied Planes

The trainers and fighters....

And of course, one of Mark's favorites...


German Planes

I wouldn’t say they do aerial reenactments like dog fights, but they do throw the planes up together. 

The Ju-52 had reenactors wearing WWII uniforms and they jumped using parachutes from the WWII era…  I’m never going to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, but we were told that those old chutes were a bit tricky.


Explore The Museum

They have several hangars to explore on both non-show days and, on airshow days when they are moving planes, before the airshow starts.

They have a Navy Hangar, an Army Hangar, a WWI Hangar... they even have an authentic German Luftwaffe Hangar which was relocated from Germany!

Part of the charm is that the museum has its own private GRASS airfield.


More To Do At The Airshows


We mentioned re-enactments that take place during the airshows. 

There is also entertainment in the main hangar with singers that recall the WWI or WWII era. 

Frank Sinatra like acts, Abbott and Costello and Boogy Woogy Bugle Boy singers.



And there are usually airplanes you can buy a ride in....


A Little Museum Information

Checkout their website for information on the Military Aviation Museum Fighter Factory (which restore many of their aircraft) and the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (which is building WWI replicas).

Hours

Open daily from 9-5.  Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Directions:

1341 Princess Anne Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23457

They say.... Just 3 ½ miles south of the Pungo stoplight. Look for the red and white checkered water tower to guide you. 

That’s a little simplistic…. it’s a long way from Virginia Beach proper, but you can find it. 

We look for the low flying warbirds sign!

Head out of Virginia Beach on Pacific Avenue/Hwy 60.  That bends and becomes General Booth Blvd.  Proceed for several miles…. Turn left on Sandbridge Rd.  Right on Princess Anne Road.

Seems like there just couldn’t be an airport there… but there is.  Remember it’s a private field… and a grass strip.

Admission:

Adult Admission when we went for Warbirds Over the Beach was $25. 

Admission to the museum on non-airshow days is $12 for adults.

There are discounts for military, youth, seniors and groups.  Check the Military Aviation Museum website for details.


Why not combine a vacation at the beach (Virginia Beach) with a great airshow!

Find 'em, See 'em, Fly,'em! And have a great flight!
Judy and Mark

Curious about what other antique airplanes we've found? Search for more...

But... We'd love to have you share this page or comment on it...  Thanks

New! Comments

Have your say about this page on Antique Airplanes... what you just read or something you'd like to add! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Ready For A New Adventure?

Follow Your Passion
Who knows where it will take you?
(Look around at where it's taken us!)
Click below to start your own journey

SBI!


Two Ways To Like Us!
Like Our Site Top Left -or-
Like Our Fanpage Below
Thank You!

Calling All Pilots
Please Share!

Ask A Question

What Plane Is That?

Maybe our readers can give you an answer.

We can't do this alone. Writing just a short story won't be too painful! Something about...

Your funniest flying story
Your favorite airplane
Your favorite fly-in lunch stop


How about something

Just Plane Fun

Recommend
An aviation museum or
An air show you liked.

Or... just contact us with
Suggestions or Questions


Write It or Read It
In Your Own Language!

Antique Airplanes
You Might Like...
Click on a photo to Read About...

Our Cub to Oshkosh Story...

J-3 Cub California to Oshkosh Story

See antique FRENCH airplanes...

Bleriot in La Ferte Alais Air Show France

You can find this beautiful Fox Moth in Canada

1932 de Havilland DH-83 Fox Moth

Didn't Find It?
Search For It...

What We've Seen Lately and Updates

  1. 2021 Airplane Fun - Planes Flew Even If We Didn’t

    Our 2021 airplane fun was confined to domestic travels. But plenty of airplanes fly close to home.

    Read More

  2. Golden Age Air Museum

    Nothing pretentious, just cool old (pre-WWII) aircraft and most of them fly!

    Read More

  3. 2020 Airplane Fun - Mostly Watching Skies At Home!

    Our 2020 airplane fun was confined to Guyana and French Guiana. And the skies at home due to that darned COVID virus!

    Read More