On day one of our trip we packed up and headed south. Back in October when I was in Wichita for work I learned of a museum in Hutchinson, Kansas that I was told had a nice display. This was our main destination for the first day. It turned out to be an amazing display of aircraft and space memorabilia. Below is a very small example of the contents:
The first things that you notice when you approach is the hugh rocket at the entrance. It is a full sized redstone rocket (the same as that which carried the first US astronauts into space).
Also at the entrance they have a bronze statue commemorating the US Space programs Moon Walks.
They have an amazing amount of memorabilia from the past space program and aircraft. Nearly all of these were either actual craft used, or an unused backup craft. They included the Russian sputnik II craft that carried the first living creature launched into orbit (a dog named Leika).
A Russian Vostok spacecraft showing the ejection mechanism that they used for recovery.
From the US space program they had an Apollo LEM (Lunar Excursion Module)
and Lunar Rover
They also had many of the old US spacecraft including this panel from a Mercury spacecraft
They have much old historic information also such as this rocket sled and photo of it's rider.
This V1 rocket - bomb
And these sections of the Berlin wall (one from the Russian Section, one from the US)
They also had on display a Space Shuttle Model (full size) along with an actual SR71 Spy plane. Amazingly enough they moved the SR71 here from a nearby airport, then built the museum building around the airplane.
To the right of the seat you can see one of the tires from the SR71 (Aluminum reinforced to withstand the low pressure and high temperature).
Also on display is an actual Space Shuttle tire that was used on one of the flights.
As far as I was concerned however the best item there and one that I found remarkable to be found in the middle of nowhere (so to speak) was the actual Apollo 13 capsule. I found it amazing to gaze upon the historic craft.
From Hutchinson we drove down past Wichita and into Oklahoma. We only just drove into Oklahoma and found a Truck Stop where we spent the night.
