The Disney Pins on Wings," an exhibit of the insignia art that Walt Disney Productions created during World War II. This exhibit (which is now scheduled to run through June 11th) doesn't seem to have received much publicity. I myself only knew about this exhibit because I was lucky to catch a blurb about it in the local paper.
Photo by Richard Mercer
The US Air Force Museum is located on the grounds of Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. FYI: That "Wright" in the base's name honors those two pioneers of flight, Orville and Wilbur Wright. It was right here in Dayton where the Wrights made many of their breakthroughs in controlled flight.
Photo by Richard Mercer
According to the press release, "this exhibit will be the largest collection of original Walt Disney insignia artworks ever placed on public display." "Insignia" refers to artwork used to designate a military unit on uniforms, vehicles, aircraft, etc. Disney-designed insignia were in great demand during World War II, and used informally by many units. After the war regulations were tightened, and most of these units were not permitted to continue use of the Disney insignia, as you can read about at the exhibit.
Photo by Richard Mercer
So is it worth the trouble to go see this? Unless you are a Disney historian or a local resident, it may not be worth a trip all the way out to Dayton in order to see this exhibit. But if you are interested in aircraft and/or military history, the Air Force Museum as a whole is definitely worth a visit.
Photo by Richard Mercer
For example, right next door to the "Disney Pins on Wings" exhibit are special displays on the Holocaust as well as Bob Hope. The National Museum of the United States Air Force also features an extensive collection of over 300 mostly military aircraft and missiles from the beginning of powered flight to the present.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is open daily (except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day when the facility is closed) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
For further information on how to go about visiting this Wright Patterson Air Base facility, follow this link.