Continuing our annual tradition, the 2026 Naval Gazing meetup will be held in Dayton, Ohio, on May 14th-17th. While an inland town in a (mostly) landlocked state may seem like an odd choice, Dayton is both the birthplace of aviation and home to probably the world's greatest air museum. And as per usual, we're getting an AirBnB, so there's stuff to do even if you don't want to spend every possible minute communing with planes.
Why should you come?
1. Seeing cool stuff. The Air Force Museum is home to the greatest airplane ever built, as well as a truly astonishing collection of military aircraft from the earliest days to the present. As an indicator of how impressive this is, they have two Twin Mustangs, a full 40% of the surviving airframes. If the Air Force flew it and the Smithsonian didn't want it, it ended up here. This is easily a two-day museum for serious geeks, and for those who want a shorter version, I plan to do an "introduction to military aviation" tour on Friday morning. There's also some other Wright Brothers stuff around Dayton if you're interested in that era, including the 1905 Wright Flier III, and I'm told the botanical gardens are good if you are the sort of person who gets bored of planes.
2. Great company. The museum isn't open 24/7, and there will be lots of interesting people to talk to, even if you're not into military stuff. Even people who have never participated in comments/Discord had a great time at previous meetups, so don't be turned off if you're a lurker.
3. Excellent food. Rebecca Friedman is handling the food and all meals from dinner Thursday to breakfast Sunday will be provided. I am sure, on quite a bit of experience, that it will be delicious. She will be Dictator of the Kitchen, with full powers of impressement to secure necessary galley slaves.
What do I need to know about logistics?
If you want to be there the whole time, plan to arrive on the afternoon of Thursday the 14th, and we’ll be running through 10 AM on Sunday the 17th. Dayton's airport (DAY) is unfortunately small and has limited service, to the point that travel booking sites will try to send you to Cincinnati (CVG), an hour and a half away, instead. I'll do my best to arrange rides for people flying into Cincinnati, but obviously can't make promises, so if your flight is particularly late, assume you'll need a rental or a very large Uber bill. Public transit is limited to a bus departing at 5:30 PM (or 4 AM) from the other side of Cincinnati.
The AirBnB is in the Oregon district, pretty much downtown, and sleeps 16. We'll also have an official hotel if that fills up or you don't want to stay with us for some reason. For those staying in the AirBnB, expect the cost of that to be about $200-250. Food will be $40/person, or less if you’re only there for part of the time. If anyone else wants to come, I will help make arrangements for a hotel. I’m also going to recommend a $50 travel fund donation. This year, I have someone lined up to receive those, and I promise that your money will go to a good cause.
What if I want a shirt as a souvenir?
Then you're in luck. They'll be $20/apiece, professionally designed and screen-printed so they'll last pretty well. If you're interested, indicate that on the signup form. The design won't be available for a couple months, but I will post it here when it's done.
Where do I sign up?
I've put together a Google Form that will serve as official signup. Please don't fill it out unless you're actively planning to come, although I can take some uncertainty in that if you let me know.
What if I have other questions?
Email me (battleshipbean at gmail), contact me on the Naval Gazing Discord (a good idea to join anyway, as that's the main comms channel when we're on the ground) or leave a comment.
Comments
...Two things you should also check out if you can -
The Wright Brothers Memorial. It's actually on the base, but the way it's set up you don't have to go through any gates. Turn right onto Springfield Rd leaving the museum, then left on Kauffman. You'll see a beautiful brick gate on your right about 500 feet in; turn right there. The memorial itself is at the top of the hill and gives a great view of Huffman Prairie and the WPAFB flightline.
Huffman Prairie Flying Field. It's a bit further down Springfield Rd, and you'll go turn left; just follow the signs. It's been restored to it's early 1900s appearance, and it's where the Brothers actually learned to fly after they got back from Kitty Hawk. One thing that is actually kind of jaw dropping is the old trolley platform you'll go past - the Wrights would take it from their home in Dayton out to the field. They would then fly a little farther, a little faster, and a little higher every day.
And at the Dayton Daily News building - which, at the time, could actually SEE the Prairie from the top floor - they were writing articles explaining how men would never fly.
As a local let me clarify a few things.
CVG is the Covington, KY airort. It is on the wrong side of Cincinnati from Dayton. The rush hour traffic is terrible on the bridge. I-275 is far too large to act as a workable bypass.
Funny about it being obsolete before it even flew.
That's certainly one take. I have a somewhat more nuanced view of the issue, which I am happy to discuss there.
If you need any input from a decent, I can facilitate a link.
I was stationed Wright-Patt in the Reserves and one of my squadron mates, now a Delta Captain fwiw, is active as a decent.
He can fill tell you all you wish about the Hanoi bird. It's the C-141 there that worked the flights when the POWs were realized. It was also the last 141 I flew in my career.
I'd certainly be happy to talk to him.
Note that the AirBnB is basically full. I have only one slot left, and two people on the fence about coming who would both have priority for it if they did come. So sign up for it at your own risk.
Bean,
I emailed you the contact info of Lt. Col Chris Clark. Chris is a docent at the WP museum and can offer pretty good reachable for whatever your group needs or is interested in.
In other words, he's a great asset and will be more than willing to make sure you all have a rewarding time. Dont hesitate...particularly with the Hanoi C-141, the XB-70, etc. Great guy. I'll plan on attending. Neal
I've been in touch. Thanks.