Southern Museum of Flight, Birmingham

The Southern Museum of Flight, located in Birmingham, is one of the premier civilian aviation museums in the United States. Home to nearly 100 aircraft, the museum showcases a rich collection that includes engines, scale models, aviation artifacts, photographs, and paintings that bring the story of flight to life.

A key highlight of the museum is the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame, which presents the state’s aviation legacy through the lives and achievements of its most notable aviators.

A highlight of the museum is the Lake Murray B-25C Mitchell bomber, which crashed during a 1943 training exercise in South Carolina. The crew survived, but the aircraft sank to 150 feet and remained underwater until its 2005 recovery by the Lake Murray B-25 Rescue Project. The operation was featured on the History Channel’s Mega Movers, and the bomber is now on display at the museum.

The museum also features immersive and historically significant exhibits, including a diorama tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, and dedicated areas focusing on Korean War jets and Vietnam War helicopters, offering visitors a deeper look at the role of air power in 20th-century conflicts.

Currently situated near Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport, the museum announced an expansion plan in 2017 to move to Barber Motorsports Park, though progress has been gradual. In 2023, the museum confirmed it would retain its original campus while continuing with plans for the new site at Grand River Technology Park, aiming to extend its educational reach and exhibition capacity.

Whether you're a history buff, aviation enthusiast, or just curious about flight, the Southern Museum of Flight offers a fascinating journey through Alabama's-and America’s-aviation past.