It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the Beechcraft Heritage Museum!
Located in Tullahoma, this local gem pays tribute to the iconic Beechcraft Airplane. You don’t have to be an aviation enthusiast to enjoy this museum. People of all ages will find something that interests them, whether it’s learning about how planes are built and how they fly, or seeing the hand-drawn blueprints, beautiful paintings and photographs on the walls.
What started with a simple log cabin now includes 80,000 square feet under roof with multiple hangars housing 37 airplanes, including the first Staggerwing ever made, serial number 1. All of the planes have been meticulously restored to their former glory.
The Beechcraft Staggerwing debuted in 1932. It was named for the distinctive stagger of the wings- the lower wing is farther forward than the upper wing, opposite the standard biplane configuration. It was sleek and powerful with a cruise speed of over 200 MPH which made it popular with air racers. The Staggerwing was the Cadillac of the sky.
The museum also pays homage to the women in aviation. Olive Ann Beech, often referred to as the “first lady of aviation”, earned more awards, honorary appointments, and special citations than any woman in aviation history. As Co-Founder, President, and Chairwoman of Beech Aircraft Company, she successfully took the corporate business to the next level after the passing of her husband, Walter Beech.
You can also learn about Louise Thaden, a fearless pilot that set more records than Amelia Earhart, including the highest altitude, the farthest distance, and the fastest speed. She raced against men in the 20’s and 30’s in high profile air races. In 1936 she set a new world record of 14 hours, 55 minutes from New York City to Los Angeles. Her pilot’s license, signed by Orville Wright (Yes, that Orville Wright!) is displayed in the museum along with a few of the trophies she won at air races.
Every year the museum hosts a fly-in that draws hundreds of Beechcraft enthusiasts from around the world. The annual convention includes workshops, maintenance seminars, social events, and Beech Aircraft from near and far. The event is usually held in October.
So if you are looking for a unique and fun adventure, don’t miss the Beechcraft Heritage Museum. Visit them at https://beechcrafthm.org/ or follow them on Facebook @ Beechcraft Heritage Museum for all the latest info.
A world class experience in Tullahoma awaits you!
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