Due to financial circumstances, the Chanute Air Museum in Rantoul is scheduled to close at the end of the year. Operational since the spring of 1994, the institution covers the history of the Chanute Air Force Base and houses artifacts dating back to the base’s opening, nearly a century ago, in 1917. Named in honor of Octave Chanute, an aeronautical engineer and friend of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the base’s primary focus throughout its existence was technical training. Despite the unfortunate news of the impending closure, there is still plenty of time to visit the museum and experience the many exhibits on display.
The Grumman HU-16 Albatross: Built for air and sea rescue
A/S32P-4 Rescue Fire Fighting Truck
A-4A Skyhawk
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (aka Gooney Bird): Used for cargo and troop transport
The P-51H “Louisiana Heatwave”
Colonel George S. Roberts
Barracks life circa 1940
Tuskegee Airmen exhibit
For more information, visit their website.