Tides Change

About 11 years ago, I volunteered at the McClellan Aviation Museum.  I really enjoyed my time there.  Shortly before we returned to Washington State, and near the end of my time volunteering, the museum personnel were invited to watch the preview of "Fighter Pilot."

The story went that an Air Force general had been touring the National Museum of the United States Air Force, in Dayton, Ohio.  When they arrived at the IMAX theater, the only movie available was one about the Navy's Blue Angels, "Magic of Flight."  This rankled the general and set in progress the idea of "Fighter Pilot," because he thought it ridiculous that the USAF did not have its own IMAX movie.  Apparently, he felt it poor form to recruit for the Navy.

My wife and I showed up, along with several of the museum's staff, and enjoyed a really good movie that took advantage of the IMAX viewing experience.

Ever since then, though, I have always remembered the story about the general and his wanting a USAF movie in the USAF museum.  Well, the tides have changed.  I happened to be looking at the information about the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.  When I scrolled across the IMAX theater offerings, I had to chuckle.  There, in the center, next to the "Magic of Flight" was "Fighter Pilot."  The story of what it's like to fly an Air Force F-15 at Red Flag.

Whom ever that general of the Air Force was, I hope he's chuckling over the fact that his movie is on view in the US Navy's hall of aviation history.   

You can visit the Navy museum's theater page here, and the USAF museum's theater offerings here.