In July of 2024, we traveled to the National Museum of the United States Air Force located in Dayton, Ohio at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. We had a few goals for this adventure, one of which was to find the reported haunted air craft at the museum. We were successful.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force, situated in Dayton, Ohio, stands as one of the largest and most esteemed military aviation museums globally, with a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1923. This remarkable institution is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the extensive history and technological advancements of the U.S. Air Force, featuring an impressive collection of over 360 aircraft and missiles, along with thousands of artifacts that chronicle the evolution of military aviation. However, beyond its primary mission of education and preservation, the museum has also gained notoriety for its purported paranormal activity, drawing the attention of ghost hunters, paranormal investigators, and curious visitors who are eager to explore the unexplained phenomena that some claim to experience within its walls.
Historical Context
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is not merely a repository of aircraft; it is a testament to the sacrifices and bravery of countless individuals who have served in the U.S. military. The museum houses a vast array of aircraft and artifacts from pivotal conflicts, including World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War, each telling its own unique story of heroism, sacrifice, and loss. Given the profound emotional weight of these narratives, it is perhaps not surprising that the museum has become a focal point for paranormal activity. The presence of so many historical artifacts, each imbued with memories of those who fought and died, may contribute to the lingering energies that visitors and staff alike have reported experiencing.
Visitor Paranormal Experiences
Many guests who have visited the museum have shared their personal accounts of unusual and unsettling experiences. Common themes include feelings of being watched, an overwhelming sense of unease, and the uncanny sensation that they are not alone, especially in certain exhibits that house significant historical aircraft. These experiences have led to a growing interest in ghost tours and paranormal investigations, with many seeking to uncover the mysteries that lie within the museum's walls.
Enthusiasts often recount stories of their explorations, sharing tales of encounters that blend the lines between history and the supernatural, making their visits all the more memorable and profound.
There have even been reports by paranormal investigators who have reported their equipment malfunctioning or behaving erratically while investigating the museum. This is a common report when there is something or someone trying to manifest and communicate with the living.
Paranormal reports about specific aircraft
Although there have been several reports throughout the entire museum, there are those that are specific to certain aircraft in the facility. The following is a listing of those reports.
Bockscar
The Bockscar is a B-29 Superfortress bomber that dropped the atomic bomb codenamed "Fat Man" over the Japanese city of Nagasaki in 1945. The plan had been used on at least three other combat missions over Japan before dropping a nuclear weapon that leveled 44% of the city and killed 35,000 people.
Same say the spirit of a small Japanese boy is forever attached to the Bockscar plane, and his spirit can be seen running around the area at night, usually when most people have left the museum.
Black Mariah
This Sikorsky CH-3E is similar to the Navy’s amphibious Sikorsky S-61. The helicopter “Black Mariah,” now housed at the Air Force Museum, was used for combat rescue missions and secret special operations with the 20th Helicopter Squadron.
Some visitors have reported hearing the voices of crew members who flew in the helicopter, as well as the moans and groans of dying men who were being transported back to base. Before coming back to the museum in Ohio, the Black Mariah was allegedly still riddled with bullet holes, and the moans of the dead usually show up at night.
Strawberry Bitch
Aircrews in World War II famously named their planes and included nose art to keep morale up. The Strawberry Bitch was no different. It’s a B-24 Liberator Bomber that served with the 12th Bomb Squadron, 376th Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force based in Libya and Italy and featured a fiery redhead on its nose.
Visitors and guards in the museum have reported strange lights inside the plane, rattling guns and even an apparition of the B-24’s belly gunner, who was reportedly killed in combat in the plane, getting ready for takeoff. One janitor even reported being slapped by an unseen entity near the fuselage.
The Hopalong
The Hopalong is a Sikorski UH-19B Chickasaw, a helicopter used by the Air Force in the 1950s and 1960s. During the Korean War, helicopters like the Hopalong were used as the primary means of medical evacuation, getting wounded troops to surgery. But the North Koreans, unsurprisingly, didn’t care about the wounded getting treatment and targeted these helicopters anyway.
Visitors can’t see from the gallery, but the last pilot of the Hopalong was supposedly killed in the cockpit and the seat is allegedly still stained with his blood. Some guests have reported seeing a man in the pilot’s seat, flipping switches and preparing the aircraft for flight.
While the National Museum of the United States Air Force primarily serves as a place of education, remembrance, and celebration of military aviation, its intriguing history intertwined with reported paranormal activities creates a captivating experience for those who venture through its exhibits.
The museum stands as a bridge between the past and the present, offering visitors not only a glimpse into the technological advancements of the Air Force but also an opportunity to engage with the mysteries that may still linger from the lives of those who once served. For those intrigued by both aviation and the supernatural, the museum offers a unique and compelling destination that invites exploration and reflection.
