The Henry Ford and the Memphis belle
 

We just booked a flight to Dayton to see the unveiling of the Memphis belle in May at Wright Patterson. It's a three day event so we will have one extra day, I was thinking of driving up to Dearborn for the last day. Any tips on how to get the most out of it, I'd like to see as much as possible in one day.

Re: The Henry Ford and the Memphis belle
 

Good on ya for going to see the Belle unveiling. One of the replicas is going to be flying at WWII Weekend in Reading PA in June along with two B-29's (Fifi and Doc) and another B-17 (Yankee Lady).

Re: The Henry Ford and the Memphis belle
 

If it is offered, I would highly recommend taking a ride in the aircraft. I have been up in two so far. First was the "Miss Barbie III" a B-25 Bomber and the second was the 9-0-9 B-17 Bomber. I can see why the guys that flew and crewed on these war machines are called the "Greatest Generation".

Re: The Henry Ford and the Memphis belle
 

If you have only one day, then I suggest that you spend it at the Henry Ford (Museum) or Greenfield Village, both part of the same property in Dearborn. They are of a size, however, that likely you won't be able to 'do' them both on the same day, especially considering the three hours of travel time by car between Dayton and Dearborn.

Re: The Henry Ford and the Memphis belle
 

My wife and I went to the museum in November. It is really a great place.

The only advice I can give is to take advantage of the information panels at a lot of the displays. They give a lot of information about the exhibits. They are a touch panel so they are pretty easy to work with.

Re: The Henry Ford and the Memphis belle
 

Did Greenfield Villiage and museum in one day, but we hurried, got to the Villiage early, it was a weekday and school had just started back, not too many people there, got to see most everything in the Villiage and took the model T ride, in the afternoon we ate in the museum at the diner car and went very quickly through the exhibits, again not too many people in museum, must have picked the right day. It can be done, but the weather may dictate which one you pick, could have easily spent a whole day at the Villiage or museum.

Re: The Henry Ford and the Memphis belle
 

When we go, we do one day at the Henry Ford Museum, then one day at Greenfield Village. I have been there twice. If it is nice out, we do Greenfield village first. Then the museum the next day. No rushing for us. Good luck. When we do the USAF museum at Dayton--we been there three times-- we also allocate a whole day. Good luck and have fun. Safe travels.

Re: The Henry Ford and the Memphis belle
 

I too recommend a ride in one of the bombers if they are flying.we took our family for a flight in the B17 from Willow run a year or two back,on board was a ww2 veterean,(b17 pilot) man was he great to talk to,and the ride was first class.
Also X2 the visits to the museum and greenfield village.
Lawrie

Re: The Henry Ford and the Memphis belle
 

The problem is you're starting in Dayton. That's a haul to get out and back to Dearborn. It's a tad shorter to try for Auburn, IN and the V-8 Foundation Museum, but still a haul.

I had an enjoyable visit to the Westcott House in Springfield, OH. A very nice Frank Lloyd Wright home. To compare to the others I visited in Springfield, IL, and Falling Waters.

Personally, I can stare at the Wright Flyer III for a good while. That is a very impressive piece of history.

Make sure you find a way to visit to the Experimental area at NMAF, some cool one-off stuff parked in a way you can get a very moving experience.

Re: The Henry Ford and the Memphis belle
 

Thanks for the advice so far. We will probably just get there at opening and stay till closing, if I can only fit one in a day I'm leaning towards the museum. The plane is not being restored to flying condition but I have flown on a B-17 a few years back so I have that one covered. The event at Wright Patterson should be interesting, they are supposed to have WWII era cars ,reenactors and music for the three days.

Re: The Henry Ford and the Memphis belle
 

What Jeff says! Auburn is a good place to spend a lot of time. Lots of car stuff!