Published: February 21, 2009 10:17 pm      

Grissom Air Museum offers new displays

PERU — The nose art of Lt. Gen. William E. Kepner’s personal P-47 Thunderbolt from World War II and a personal memento he received from Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower are among the recent additions to Grissom Air Museum.

Kepner, a native of Miami, commanded the 4th and 8th Fighter commands during the war before becoming commander of the 8th Air Force near its end.

The nose art was painted on the engine cowling of “Kokomo,” his P-47 Thunderbolt fighter. The nose art is extremely rare, according to the museum, as most of it was destroyed when the planes were scrapped following World War II.

Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander, and 8th Fighter Command presented Kepner with a silver cigar box that is also on display.

When he retired in 1953, Kepner was a lieutenant general and was commander of the Alaska Command.

One of Kepner’s greatest contributions to the war effort, according to museum officials, was the development of “drop tanks,” the external fuel tanks that gave fighters greater range to defend bombers flying missions over Europe.

Kepner’s family loaned the museum the artifacts.

Visitors may view the entire Kepner collection in Grissom Air Museum’s Hall of Honor, sit in airplane and helicopter cockpits and learn about aviation equipment and flying. More than 25 historic aircraft are on hand in the museum’s airpark.

Grissom Air Museum is located on U.S. 31 at the entrance to Grissom Aeroplex. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Extended summer hours begin Memorial Day.

Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for veterans, seniors and students. Children 6 and younger are free. Call (765) 689-8011 or visit GrissomAirMuseum.com for more information.