History takes flight with this authentic Vietnam-era fighter plane…

Reading about history is one thing. But when you get out and experience it yourself – when you catch a glimpse of its true scale and scope – the past has a way of coming to life.

Head to the corner of 8th Avenue and 8th Street in Altoona and you’ll find yourself transported back in time as you stand in the shadow of an authentic Corsair II: a Vietnam-era fighter plane.

In the early 1960s, a group of engineers and tacticians came together to determine which model of next-generation aircraft they would invest billions in manufacturing. The panel reviewed 144 prototype designs, ultimately choosing the Corsair II for its efficiency, agility, accuracy and small size.

In 1997, the Corsair II was brought to Altoona, on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force. It was dedicated as a memorial to Vietnam veterans. Today, it serves as a good place to reflect on a pivotal moment in world history and experience one of the machines that defined it.