WHERE HISTORY LIVES! Airworthy Warbirds are the foundation of the Tennessee Museum of Aviation, located on the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT) in Sevierville. The 5500 ft runway is just outside the hangar door, making it possible for visitors to enjoy unscheduled flight demonstrations. Aviation history comes to life when these vintage aircraft start-up their powerful engines and throttle for take-off.
As you enter the Aircraft Hangar, the bright well-lit interior creates an impressive atmosphere. The 35,000 sq ft hangar features aircraft engines and cockpits, military vehicles, and magnificently restored vintage “Warbirds.” Among the number of aircraft, within the hangar, our two Republic P-47 Thunderbolts will almost certainly leave a sense of admiration, as there are less than a dozen of these World War II fighters remaining in the world, and the Tennessee Museum of Aviation has two airworthy P-47 Thunderbolts in our collection. Another outstanding aircraft is the airworthy Douglas A-1H Skyraider, complete with battle scars received from its service during Vietnam. The museums’ collection of trainers, fighters, helicopters, jets and amphibious aircraft will definitely satisfy the interest of “Warbird” fans.
Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or just have a passing interest in flight, the Tennessee Museum of Aviation is a MUST DO while visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. When you find yourself visiting Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg again and again … remember to make a return visit to discover something different in our Aircraft Hangar or Exhibit Gallery.
The aircraft listed below are generally on display in our aircraft hangar:
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt “Hun Hunter XVI” *
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt “Wicked Wabbit” *
North American T-28B Trojan *
Douglas A-1H Skyraider “Lieutenant America” *
Beech SNB *
(*Aircraft that fly on a regular basis)
Canadair T-33 Silver Star
North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco
Grumman HU-16E Albatross
Beech T-34B Mentor
2 – Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
Sikorsky UH-34G
North American P-51D Mustang (Full Scale Replica)
1902 Wright Glider (Full Scale Replica)
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (Cockpit Section)
North American B-25 Mitchell (Cockpit Section)
Beech-18 (Cockpit Section)
A visit isn’t complete without taking home a souvenir. The Flying Spirit Gift Gallery has a huge selection of aviation books, adult and children’s flight jackets, collectible die-cast models, caps, posters, model kits, aviation art, a large assortment of pins and patches, aviation t-shirts of all sizes, and a unique variety of original vintage aircraft parts. It would be hard to find a more remarkable selection of aviation gifts in the Southeast.