The massive structure provides 118,000 sq. ft. of space and it is truly state-of-the-art. On our visit they still had a few kinks to work out such as a burned out projector lamp in the Iwo Jima Immersion and numerous burned out lamps in the art gallery. But, growing pains are to be expected and I would highly recommend a visit. We spent two full days at the museum. The minimum time I would allot for a visit would be one full day. Anything less would only allow for a walk-through.

Several aircraft important to Marine Corps history are suspended in realistic flight attitudes. This Harrier is one of the first to catch the eye. The Harrier was adopted by the Marine Corps in 1970 because of its ability to enhance close air support to embattled infantry units. At sea, the Marines could launch Harriers from the decks of amphibious assault ships, closer to inshore targets than aircraft carriers. Ashore, the Harrier's ability to operate from austere sites far forward of standard airfields reduced flight time to the objective and allowed the aircraft to attack targets for longer intervals before refueling. Harrier pilots gave exceptional support to ground Marines in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Walking around to the front of the Harrier, this view is striking. It dramatizes the close air support role of the V/STOL aircraft.

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The roots of Marine Aviation go back to this Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" of World War I. Marine aviators as early as 1919 "zoomed down" to bomb and strafe enemy troops in support of the ground battle. The marines had learned that fighting well-armed guerrillas in the mountains of Haiti and Nicaragua beyond the range of the fleet's guns left a dangerous firepower gap. Marine Pilots closed the gap by pioneering dive-bombing techniques to deliver close support to infantry comrades. Pushing biplanes like the Curtiss "Jenny" into screeching dives to drop bombs at treetop levels, the pilots initiated the combined air-ground team concept that became a permanent Corps hallmark and the envy of riflemen of every armed force.

This is another view of the Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny". Note the museum's stairway and elevator complex in the background. from a distance it strongly resembles the shipboard structure.

This is the view of the "Jenny" from the mezzanine. The figures throughout the museum are very realistic. This gunner makes you want to dive out of the way!

This Corsair is also suspended in the main museum section. Before the Vought F4U corsair made its combat debut at Guadalcanal in early 1943, the Japanese Zero fighter ruled the skies over the Pacific in World War II. The Corsair changed the equation. The new airplane's superior speed and firepower overcame the more agile Zero repeatedly in one-on-one dogfights. In the ground attack role, guided by forward air controllers, the Corsair delivered spectacular close support to Marine and Army riflemen in two wars. Japanese troops reportedly called the gull-winged Corsair "The Whistling Death" for its distinctive sound during strafing dives.

This Avenger is suspended in the world War II gallery. It was difficult to get a good photo due to the close quarters. Developed in 1939, the TBF/TBM Avenger carried the attack to the Japanese ground and naval forces throughout World War II. In December 1941, the Navy accepted the new Grumman airplane as the TBF. Due to ever increasing demand for aircraft throughout the war, the General Motors Corporation was asked to provide a second source for torpedo-bombers that was designated TBM to differentiate them from Grumman models. The TBF/TBM Avenger became the mainstay of Marine torpedo-bombing units throughout WWII, equipping no less than 20 Marine squadrons.

This Dia-Ichi Kaigun Kokushu Ohka "Cherry Blossom" Kamikaze rocket-powered bomb is suspended in the World War II gallery. The Ohka was constructed of wood and metal, with silk-covered wings. Powered by three rocket motors, it was usually carried close to the target and launched from the belly of a twin-engine Mitsubishi G4M2e Betty bomber.

This is a poor quality picture, but I felt that I had to include it anyway. (No flash photography is allowed near the flag to prevent damage from ultraviolet light. Since I didn't have a tripod with me, I just tried to stand very still while the shutter was open.) This is the actual flag raised at Iwo Jima and captured in that famous photograph. Students of history will note that this is actually the second flag raised. For a historical look at the flag raising, read "Flags of Our Fathers."

This "Assault from the Sky" realistic display is on the main museum floor. The 1st Marine Brigade sailed to Korea in 1950 as an air-ground team, and infantry regiment, and three air squadrons under one commander. The force included four experimental helicopters, handy for medical evacuations and reconnaissance but too small to haul troops. the following year, Marine Helicopter Squadron 161 arrived in Korea equipped with 15 new Sikorsky HRS-1 helicopters, each big enough to carry six riflemen. On 20 September 1951, the Marines launched a new age of military mobility when the squadron's helicopters shuttled 224 Marines into combat on Hill 884 in North Korea. The breakthrough initiated the doctrine of "Vertical Envelopment," a Corps innovation of lasting impact.

The realism found in the National Museum of the Marine Corps makes it outstanding. This life-size diorama of a Marine 60mm mortar team is in a room that is chilled to well below the comfort level and the sound of a cold wind whistling about adds to the effect.

The Marines' greatest battle of the Korean War occurred during one of the nation's most bitter military defeats, when Chinese forces crossed into North Korea to rout the unsuspecting Allies. General MacArthur ignored reports of China entering the war and spurred his command across the 38th Parallel, and into disaster. Near a large reservoir, the 1st Marine Division found itself surrounded by a Chinese field army 78 miles from the sea, and burdened with thousands of casualties at the onset of one of the coldest winters ever recorded along the Manchurian border. The Marines ignored the reservoir's Korean name "Changjin" in favor of the Japanese name "Chosin," which became "Frozen Chosin." No Marines ever fought under worse conditions of weather and terrain. Superbly supported by the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, the division fought an epic withdrawal to the sea, turning back the Chinese and bringing out their own wounded and dead.

This exhibit is unique. This McDonnel Douglas A-4E Skyhawk has a large video screen in the belly. It is the only criticism of the museum that I will offer. In my opinion, the screen detracts from the historic value of the airplane and is very uncomfortable to watch since it is directly overhead.

Designed during the Korean War, the Skyhawk was one of the primary U.S. weapons in the Vietnam War. The A-4 was originally designed by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1950 to 1952, and was based on the close-air support lessons being learned during the Korean War. Developed as a replacement for the AD-1 Skyraider over 2,000 aircraft of this type were ordered in five different variations. The Skyhawk was also known as Heinemann's Hot-Rod after its chief designer, Ed Heinemann.

No Marine Corps aviation display would be complete without a Huey. The Bell UH-1 exhibited here shows a group of Recon Marines rappelling down.

The UH-1 replaced the HOK helicopter and took on the additional duties of troop insertions and extractions. Because of guerilla warfare tactics helicopter crews developed the Technical Kit-2 (TK-2) defense system that could be attached to the helicopter quickly or removed to fulfill other missions. The Huey became an aggressive weapons platform that could provide clearing ground fire as well as air cover for heavy lift helicopters delivering troops or equipment.

Update added Aug. 18, 2007: Thanks to Lt.Col. Scott Yost (Ret) for this additional information: "I'm not sure if you knew it when you went through, but the UH-1 that is outside the Vietnam gallery was the actual helicopter that Capt Steven Pless flew on the mission for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.  Actually, a member of Pless's crew helped rig the interior to insure the historical accuracy of that bird before we hung it from the ceiling." (Lt.Col. Yost was the Senior Active Duty Marine at the Museum until his retirement in the first part of Aug. 2007.)

This is a model of a system used in vietnam and known as the "Tinfoil Airstrip." Few believed LtGen Victor Krulak's claim that his Marines could create an airfield in the sands of Chu Lai in 25 days. But the Corps developed a system called "Short Airfield for Tactical Support," using aluminum matting for an all-weather surface. Movable cables slowed arriving aircraft, and rocket propulsion launched airplanes in the air. Marines and SeaBees worked in Chu Lai's stifling heat, and on the 25th day, four Skyhawks flew the first combat mission from the "Tinfoil Airstrip."

This exhibit puts you in the middle of the action. It is a CH-46 Sea Knght helicopter with many speakers to provide sound and vibration all around. The floor vibrates just as it would if the helicopter was running while troops made their exit. It is a recreation of making a landing in a "hot" zone at Hill 881 South near Khe Sanh. (Thanks to Lt.Col. Scott Yost (Ret) for the correction on the type of helicopter.)

More of the "hot" landing zone can be seen here. The figures used throughout the museum are extremely lifelike.

Update added Aug. 18, 2007: Thanks to Lt.Col. Scott Yost (Ret) for this additional information: "As for the figures, each one required a Marine or Sailor to be encased in plaster and rubber for about four hours to make a full body life-cast.  So that's why they're so realistic.  It wasn't a really comfortable process, I can vouch for that.  I am the pilot of the HO3S in the entrance to the Korean War gallery!"

This is yet another example of a very realistic scene. The mobility and firepower of the Ontos proved invaluable during the battle for Hue. The M50 Ontos utilized six M40 106mm recoilless rifles capable of firing both high-explosive and anti-personnel rounds. Developed and rejected by the Army as an antitank vehicle, it was accepted for procurement by the Marine Corps in 1955. Within a year, the Ontos had been integrated into the armored units of the Fleet Marine Force. Although designed as an antitank vehicle, its role in vietnam soon shifted to direct fire support of ground units. during the battle for Hue, the mobility and firepower of the Ontos, combined with pinpoint fire from M48 tanks, proved an effective combination in street-to-street fighting.

Want to know more? Visit the NMMC's web site at www.usmcmuseum.org