National WWII Museum. New Orleans

 On my first day in NOLA, it rained out my birding, so I spent time in the National World War II Museum, a huge multiplex with immersive experiences of all phases of the war.  I was impressed by the way in which the museum focused a great deal on individual experiences, with many interviews with veterans, and huge amounts of video.  Naturally I gravitated towards the artifacts, especially the planes, all of which I studied, modeled, and admired. 

Here are photos from the museum. 

The great Supermarine "Spitfire", probably Britain's finest fighter.

The Douglas C-47, the longest-lasting plane in history, still flying in some parts of the world. It first flew in 1935, which give it 86 years of service.

The German "Enigma" code machine

Messerschmidt Bf-109  Along with the Focke-Wulf Fw190, the backbone of the Luftwaffe.

Remarkable collection of Japanese weaponry in near-perfect condition. 

The legendary 75mm Pack Howitzer, hugely important in the Pacific island campaigns.

Curtis P-40 Warhawk.  Vastly inferior to the Zeros in agility, it almost made up for it in 
the pilot's skills, and its durabililty.  Famous in China as a "Flying Tiger". 

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Gruman TBF Avenger, the most widely used and effective torpedo bomber of WWII. 
It sank both super battleships Yamato and Musashi.

B-25 Mitchell medium bomber.  This one has been turned into a gunship, with 14 .50 machineguns firing forward, and some had a 37mm. canon (one had a 75. mm!)

Douglas SBD Dauntless.  Most successful action was at Midway, where they sank one and damaged three Japanese carriers. 

The great Boing B17 Flying Fortress.

North American P-51 Mustang, believed by many to be the top fighter of WW2.

And finally, one of my favorites, the Vought F4U Corsair.  This was the type of plane "Pappy" Boyington flew, with 28 enemy shot down, and who was awarded a Purple Heart, the Navy Cross, and the Medal of Honor.  The highest number shot down by an American pilot was Richard Bong, with 40, all in
a Lockheed P-38, my absolute favorite of WW2.