Military Museums & Historic Vehicles
Over the years I’ve had the chance to visit a number of military and aviation museums in the United States, Europe, and South Africa. These pages collect some of those visits, from major national museums to special events where historic aircraft and armored vehicles can still be seen operating.
Tiger Day
Bovington, UK
Tiger Day at The Tank Museum is a special event built around the rare opportunity to see Tiger 131, the world’s only running Tiger I, operating in the arena alongside other historic armored vehicles. It combines a visit to one of the world’s great tank collections with live demonstrations that bring the machines to life.
Pima Air & Space Museum
Tucson, AZ
Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, is one of the largest aviation museums in the world, with hundreds of historic aircraft ranging from early military planes to Cold War bombers, transports, helicopters, and experimental designs. Its vast outdoor collection and large indoor hangars make it especially rewarding for anyone interested in military aviation and aerospace history.
South African National Military Museum
Johannesburg, ZA
The South African National Museum of Military History explores South Africa’s military experience from the colonial era through the World Wars and into the modern period. Its collection includes armored vehicles, artillery, aircraft, uniforms, and other artifacts, with particularly strong displays on the country’s role in major 20th-century conflicts.
National WWII Museum
New Orleans, LA
The National WWII Museum tells the story of the United States in World War II through immersive exhibits, restored vehicles and aircraft, personal artifacts, and extensive historical interpretation. Its galleries cover the war in both Europe and the Pacific while also exploring the home front, industrial mobilization, and the experiences of the people who fought and supported the war.
Imperial War Museum
London, UK
The Imperial War Museum London explores the human experience of modern conflict, with major collections covering the First and Second World Wars as well as more recent wars and their impact on civilians. Its exhibits combine aircraft, armored vehicles, weapons, uniforms, photographs, and personal stories to show not just how wars were fought, but how they affected the people who lived through them.
