Author: Stan Alexander

Edition: Model Aviation - 2026/05
Page Numbers: 64, 65, 66
RC Scale

Aviation Museum Subjects and Details

By Stan Alexander onawing4602@att.net

In the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville, Tenn., is a tribute to the P-47 Hun Hunter XVI, which was piloted by Gilbert O. Wymond Jr. of the 65th Fighter Squadron during WW II.

Finding an aviation museum during your summer trips is always a great way to spend an afternoon or, in some cases, a week. Museums help to educate and inform us about the history of many different subjects. You might also find either an airplane or a type of airplane that you didn’t know ever existed.

Here in Tennessee, there are a couple of top-class museums. The first is the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville, Tennessee, which is located at the Gatlinburg–Pigeon Forge Airport. If you go to this area for a vacation, I suggest that you take a few hours and check this one out.

There are several full-scale warbirds that are hangared there, including a Douglas A-1H Skyraider (Lieutenant America), as well as two Republic P-47 Thunderbolts (Hun Hunter XVI and Wicked Wabbit) and a full-scale model of a North American P-51D Mustang (Frenesi), which hangs from the rafters. Several other warbirds are also on display. There are also engines and various other items to examine. One such item that I had never seen up close is the dive brake system on the Skyraider. The dive brakes are located just past the trailing edge of the wing on the fuselage sides. They were open on my last visit to the museum.

During the summer, the two P-47s and the Skyraider can be seen on the air show circuit. If you plan to go to see any of these warbirds, I suggest calling before your visit.

The Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tennessee, is located on a former U.S. Army Air Corps World War II training base for bombers. The origins of both the Travel Air and Beechcraft companies are brought to life at this pristine museum. Walter Beech, who was born in Pulaski, Tennessee, on January 30, 1891, worked with many of the early aviation giants, including Lloyd Stearman and Clyde Cessna, who together formed the Travel Air Manufacturing Company.

Many historic aircraft are presented as exhibits in the museum, including the first Beechcraft Staggerwing that had fixed gear and spats. It’s one of only three that are known to still exist. A Travel Air Mystery Ship from 1929 is completely rebuilt and restored with the long wing panels on, and the short pylon wing panels from the original are also in that gallery. The very first Travel Air Model A biplane is in the same hangar.

The museum is a rich resource for discovering the engineering of these iconic aircraft and the people behind them. For Scale modelers, it is a treasure trove of information and aircraft types from the Golden Era of aviation. Everything from the original first Staggerwing to the Beechcraft Starship are presented there, as well as tools, photos, landing aids, uniforms, gauges, and a color chart if someone wants to replicate a Staggerwing. Similar to almost all museums, some of the aircraft are a bit cramped in it for taking photos, but it is doable for most of them.

An interesting fact about the retract system in a Staggerwing is that it used a chain, much like one for a bicycle, to raise and lower the main gear.

You can easily visit the museum for a couple of hours or stay for half a day. Every October (this year, October 8-10), the Beech Party takes place on the grounds with a fly-in, a lot of dignitaries from the aviation industry, and vendors. Registration is required, but note that the museum is closed during that time. For more information, visit the website, listed in “Sources.”

Shown are the operational speed/dive brakes on the A-1H Skyraider at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville, Tenn. It and the museum’s P-47s currently fly in air shows.
Shown are the operational speed/dive brakes on the A-1H Skyraider at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville, Tenn. It and the museum’s P-47s currently fly in air shows.
The very first Beechcraft Staggerwing with fixed gear, shown here at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tenn., was originally constructed in 1932. It was rebuilt and restored beginning in 1984.
The very first Beechcraft Staggerwing with fixed gear, shown here at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tenn., was originally constructed in 1932. It was rebuilt and restored beginning in 1984.

RC Scale Nats Entries

Some outstanding aircraft were entered in the AMA RC Scale Nats last year. One that stood out on the flightline and in the air was Tom Lowrie’s Super Starduster SS101.

The model was scratch-built with a wingspan of 107 inches and a weight of approximately 54.2 pounds. Tom installed a DLE-170 gas engine, and it’s controlled by a Spektrum radio system. He finished in first place in the Designer Scale class.

Another entry in Designer Scale was Gary Smith’s Sonex-B. This electric-powered model has a 72-inch wingspan and is covered in UltraCote and finished with paint. This low-powered civil aircraft is very clean and energy efficient.

This year’s RC Scale Nats is scheduled for July 9-12 at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie, Indiana. Check AMA’s website for more information.

Fair skies and tailwinds.

One of Stan Alexander’s all-time favorite aircraft is this Travel Air Mystery Ship from 1929. Only one of three that still exists, it was the winner of the 1929 Thompson Trophy air race.
One of Stan Alexander’s all-time favorite aircraft is this Travel Air Mystery Ship from 1929. Only one of three that still exists, it was the winner of the 1929 Thompson Trophy air race.
Tom Lowrie’s Super Starduster SS101 takes off on the smooth Site 4 grass at the IAC in Muncie, Ind., for another successful flight during the 2025 AMA RC Scale Nats.
Tom Lowrie’s Super Starduster SS101 takes off on the smooth Site 4 grass at the IAC in Muncie, Ind., for another successful flight during the 2025 AMA RC Scale Nats.
Gary Smith’s Sonex-B was entered in Designer Scale at the 2025 AMA Scale Nats. It has a 72-inch wingspan and is electric powered. The airframe makes for a very smooth-flying model.
Gary Smith’s Sonex-B was entered in Designer Scale at the 2025 AMA Scale Nats. It has a 72-inch wingspan and is electric powered. The airframe makes for a very smooth-flying model.

SOURCES