The Valiant Air Command Museum in Titusville had its yearly Open House during the Veteran’s Day weekend, November 2022. This was to be a 3 day event but Hurricane Nicole visited Florida earlier in the week and minor damage to the museum forced them to be closed on Friday.
I visited on Sunday and the crowd was light due to a pending rain front that would arrive midday. Plenty of food was to be had and veteran organizations had displays set. The local model club had a great display as well.
One the highlights for the museum is the addition of a new ramp for aircraft displays. New hangar/buildings are also to be built soon.
The XP-82 Twin Mustang was displayed outside and I have posted walk around pictures of that aircraft. Other aircraft were displayed outside but the rain made for a very gray day.
The crown jewel of the Valiant Air Command is their C-47 “Tico Belle” which saw service in the European Theater of Operations. This aircraft was participated in the D-Day invasion, bring airborne troops to Normandy. She was also took part in Operation Market Garden.
Fresh from the restoration shop is this Beechcraft RU-21A UTE, which flew intelligence missions during Operation Desert Storm.
The Republic F-105D was proudly displayed. I remember seeing these fly out of McGuire AFB with the Guard and man were these loud.
A recent donation to the Valiant Air Command museum is this F-104B Starfighter. This aircraft is a two-seat, dual-control trainer airframe that served with Air Forces of the United States, Taiwan and Jordan.
The National Naval Museum of Aviation has loaned the Valiant Air Command this Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless. This aircraft ditched in Lake Michigan in 1944 will trying to land on the carrier Wolverine. It sat at the bottom of the lake until recovered in 2009. Restored by the museum afterwards, but still retains some original skin.
The museum has a great number of additional aircraft displayed or being restored. With more ramp and hangar space, they will continue add more aircraft. Great place to visit and the staff are amazing.
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