Originally named the Fairfield-Suisun
Army Air Base in 1943, it was renamed Travis Air Force Base
in 1950 after General Robert
F. Travis’ untimely death in a B-29 crash at the base. The
museum was created in the 1980's, and has been unofficially renamed
the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum, after famous aviator,
Jimmy Doolittle (born in Alameda, CA). Thanks to Major Diana Newlin,
Deputy Curator for assistance with this profile.
Access Post 9-11
People need to call in advance to be escorted
on to the base and depending on the days' activities this is not
always possible. The goal for the Travis volunteers is to build a
museum off base and they are currently in a fund raising mode. Travis
hosts the largest air museum in Northern California housing bombers,
fighters, transports, trainers, helicopters as well as air rescue
and observation planes.
Displays
The museum has several displays on the Tokyo "Doolittle
Raid" bombing mission and artifacts from veterans of the mission,
and hosted the Doolittle Raiders Reunion in 2003. The war in the
Pacific is also highlighted which includes the Bataan Death March.
Aircraft Collection
The museum includes a large collection of wartime and post-WWII.
Among aircraft used in the Pacific are: BT-13, PT-19,
Piper L-4, Stinson
L-5, and B-29 displayed outdoors.
B-29 "Miss
America 62" Serial
Number 42-65281
