Nebraska’s Cold War Marvel Houses 28 Historic Aircraft and America’s Largest Collection of Strategic Bombers

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, Nebraska

Most folks drive past Ashland, Nebraska without knowing they’re passing the heart of America’s Cold War might.

It’s where America’s nuclear force called home, packed with retired bombers and spy planes that kept the Soviets guessing for decades.

Here are some highlights of visiting the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Nebraska.

From First Steps Inside, Blackbird Dominates

You walk into an amazing glass atrium made of 525 separate panels. 

Right away, you’ll spot a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird mounted on a pedestal greeting everyone who visits.

This incredible plane holds the record as the fastest jet ever used in military service. 

It flew spy missions during the Cold War, taking photos from more than 80,000 feet up in the sky.

While officially the Blackbird flies faster than 2,000 mph, its true top speed remains a secret. 

Engineers built only 32 of these remarkable machines, making this display truly special.

Massive Six-Engine Monster From 1950s

Standing tall in the main room is the B-36J Peacemaker, with only three others left in the world. This giant counts as the biggest bomber ever mass-produced for military use.

Its size will amaze you: 230 feet from wingtip to wingtip, 162 feet long, and 46 feet high. 

Unlike most planes, this odd bird uses six backward-facing propeller engines plus four jet engines.

This specific B-36J (number 52-2217A) joined the Air Force in December 1953. 

People called it the “Magnesium Monster” because of what it was made from, and it could fly 10,000 miles without stopping for gas.

From WWII to Cold War Air Power

You can walk among nine different bombers that show how air power changed over decades. 

The B-17 “Flying Fortress” stands as America’s main heavy bomber from World War II.

Nearby sits the B-29 “Superfortress” named “Lucky Lady,” one of just 22 complete B-29s still around today. 

A massive B-52 Stratofortress shows staying power, still flying after 70 years of service.

Looking sleek and modern, the B-1A “Lancer” prototype shows how bombers evolved to fly faster than sound. 

Spies in the Sky Revealed Soviet Secrets

Look for the famous U-2 spy plane that flew high above Soviet territory to take pictures. 

A Russian MiG-21 fighter captured from North Vietnam sits nearby, showing what American pilots faced.

Displays tell about Francis Gary Powers, whose U-2 was shot down over Russia, creating an international crisis. A rare RB-45C “Tornado” shows America’s first jet-powered bomber used for spy work.

Photos taken by these planes gave crucial information about Soviet military bases and weapons. 

Without these eyes in the sky, America would have been flying blind during the most dangerous years of the Cold War.

Tiny Fighter Lived Inside Bomber Bays

Among the museum’s strangest aircraft sits the tiny XF-85 Goblin, nicknamed the “flying egg.” 

Engineers built only two of these experimental mini-fighters before canceling the program.

Designers meant this little plane to ride inside a B-36 bomber’s weapon bay, dropping out to fight enemy planes that attacked the bomber. Its unusual egg shape and stubby wings made it small enough to fit inside.

Test flights showed big problems, especially violent bouncing when trying to hook back onto the mother plane. 

Museum staff kept the actual dents from test crashes instead of fixing them, preserving its troubled history.

Missiles Point Skyward Outside Museum

Walk outside to see full-size Atlas, Minuteman, and Titan missiles standing tall against the Nebraska sky. These intercontinental ballistic missiles formed the land-based part of America’s nuclear force.

John Glenn rode a Titan rocket just like this one when he became the first American to orbit Earth. Inside, you can see what a Mark-36 hydrogen bomb looked like up close.

These massive weapons showed America’s technological muscle during the arms race years. 

Moon Mission Capsule Bears Test Scars

Look for Apollo Command Space Module 009, the very first production capsule NASA received. Engineers dropped this spacecraft from helicopters to test whether it could safely land on ground instead of water.

You can still see the dents from these impact tests, left unrepaired by museum staff. Nearby sits a Project Vela Satellite built to watch for secret nuclear explosions in space.

An X-38 Crew Return Vehicle prototype shows NASA’s work on emergency escape pods for space station crews. 

Forgotten War Changed Flight Forever

Visit the “High Pressure” exhibit about Korean War planes and the shift from propellers to jets. Opened in 2020, this permanent display shows the first time jet fighters faced each other in real combat.

Spy Gear Shows Cold War Cat-and-Mouse

Browse displays of cutting-edge gadgets created for spying on Soviet activities. Cold War competition pushed American and Soviet engineers to create ever-smaller listening devices and cameras.

This race between East and West sped up progress in electronics and communications. Many tiny recording devices show how spy technology shrank from bulky early versions to pocket-sized tools.

Watch Experts Bring Old Planes Back

Peek into the open restoration shop where staff and volunteers save historic aircraft. Their careful work follows strict rules to keep planes looking exactly as they did during service.

You can watch current projects through special viewing areas as workers prepare newly acquired planes for display. Many restoration team members once served as military mechanics, bringing authentic knowledge to their preservation work.

Take Control in Realistic Cockpits

Climb into flight simulators that let you feel what pilots experience. The “Above and Beyond” stations show how planes stay in the air through hands-on experiments.

Walk through a recreated B-36 tunnel to experience the tight spaces bomber crews endured during long missions. See complicated space concepts explained through interactive black hole demonstrations.

Stations throughout the building let you try out principles of flight for yourself.

Plan Your Visit To Aerospace History

Find the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum at 28210 West Park Highway in Ashland, Nebraska, just off Interstate 80 at Exit 426. Parking costs nothing during your visit.

• Hours: Open daily with winter hours running until May 25, 2025
• Tickets: Adults $16, Seniors (65+) $12, Military $12, Kids (4-12) $8, Children under 3 free
• Family membership: $80 for unlimited visits
• Free tours start at 11 AM every day
• Try the flight simulator and browse the gift shop
• Enjoy the café between exploring the two airplane hangars
• Plan for 2-3 hours to see everything

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