Guide to Combat Air Museum in Topeka, Kansas

Our family jumped on the opportunity to visit Topeka’s Combat Air Museum. While planning our trip to Kansas to visit family, I discovered the aircraft museum. All of our family was on board for a visit during our trip. We even got Grandpa to tag along with us. It was a remarkable find. We were able to get up close to the war planes and helicopters. Follow along for our guide to the Combat Air Museum.

What is the Combat Air Museum?

The museum is located at Forbes Field, Topeka’s regional airport. The museum is more than 50 years old. Combat Air Museum has 47 aircraft, from early WWI replica aircraft to modern day craft. It also houses many historic engines and artifacts and military art displays.

The aviation pieces are displayed in two large hangars, with a few aircraft on display outside of the hangars.

And if that wasn’t enough, you can also participate in computerized flight simulations or pick up some souvenirs in the sizable gift shop.

Combat Air Museum Hours and Cost

The Combat Air Museum is open daily. Hours vary. Most of the year, the museum is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from Noon-4:30 p.m. In January and February, the museum is open daily from Noon-4:30 p.m.

The museum has a modest $7 entry fee for ages 18+. Entry is $5 for children 5-17, active military in uniform, or an active military card. It is free for children younger than 5.

A Brief Note on Temperature

The Museum is in two airport hangars, without heating. We toured in December. Temperatures were cold, and a light snow flurry began falling as we arrived.

That did make the hangars cold. We had to wear jackets throughout our visit.

But, while the hangars are unheated, the gift shop and artifacts displays are in a heated front office area of the hangar. We took pleasure in feeling that heat after the frigid hangars.

Also, the weather prevented us from seeing many of the aircraft assembled outside of the hangars. Staff closed those areas during our visit for safety.

What You’ll See

There is a lot to see and take in while strolling through the two hangars at the Combat Air Museum.

After checking in and paying admission we made our way to the first hangar. A staff member led us to the hangar, and gave us a brief overview of what was on display. Immediately, we headed up a spiral stairway to the overlooking platform.

From this position, we had a complete view of the hangar, both the aircraft and engines on the ground, and those mounted to the ceiling.

We had a great view of the 12 WWI replica aircraft in the hangar. It is the largest collection of WWI aircraft in the Midwest U.S.

But, we also spotted craft from WWII, the Vietnam War, and some aircraft from other countries.

While visiting, we also saw 80 paintings representing each of the combat missions of the Red Baron, the famed WWI German pilot.

It was fun to see all the personal touches added by pilots to their aircraft. We saw hand painted artwork. Planes received names, and that name was painted to the side of the plane.

Get Up Close

In both hangars, we found multiple opportunities to get up close to the aircraft.

We got to walk into a Vietnam era Chinook helicopter, sitting in the main cabin, and exploring the cockpit. We also got to see the pilot seats and control panel from behind a window of glass.

There were ladders scattered throughout both hangars, giving us a great view into the cockpits of numerous craft, including the Blue Angel plane.

This video gives you a good look at some of the aircraft and memorabilia found in the first hangar.

We got to sit in a replica cockpit to see how little leg room many of those pilots had.

And, we got to see signatures of pilots who signed the outside of the airplane after its final flight.

We have been to a few aviation museums. But, this is the first time we felt we were allowed to get so close to the aircraft, often getting to touch the planes.

Stepping Through Time

For the most part, the Combat Air Museum’s two hangars of exhibits walk your through the history of military aircraft.

The first hangar has the WWI and WWII aircraft, including the biplanes and prop engine airplanes.

The second hangar has more modern (and larger) military aircraft from the Vietnam conflict to modern day aircraft.

Hangars are Jam-Packed

One of the things I noticed in both hangars was an overwhelming amount of airplanes and other military paraphernalia.

I found this especially true in the second hangar. We discovered the large aircraft in this hangar. They also were right next to each other, making for little walking and maneuvering room for us.

There were times when we needed to plot our path, kneel under a wing, and watch out in case we bumped our heads on a plane part. Thankfully, the staff has placed pool noodles around the sharper objects to prevent damage to our noggins.

This is in no way a criticism. I had a great time working among the aircraft, bending over and scuttling underneath a plane wing, shimmying around a engine, etc. It almost felt as if I were on an active, military runway.

Aviation Galleries at the Combat Air Museum

In the first hangar, near the gift shop (and in a heated room), we found the aviation gallery with a number of displays and military artifacts.

We saw what a WWII field chapel looked like. We saw a display of U.S. flight suits. But, we also discovered Japanese and German paraphernalia from the WWII era. There also are models of aircraft carriers and exhibits from the Cold War.

The flight simulator is located within the galleries.

Final Thoughts

As I mentioned, our family really looked forward to our visit to the Combat Air Museum.

And, our visit did not disappoint. Anything we expected before going was met and surpassed.

We most appreciated the opportunity to get so up close to the aircraft.

And we loved how much there was to see at the museum. We would definitely return if given the opportunity. We saw a lot, but I know there is still a lot more to see and digest.

I appreciated the greeting of friendly staff, who took time to get to know us and help us get our bearings in the hangars.

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If you prefer feet firmly planted on the ground, see our guide to Devils Tower National Monument.

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