PRESS RELEASE
The Military Aviation Museum has just unveiled what may be its most surprising—and oddly relatable—exhibit yet. Titled When Nature Calls: At 26,000 Feet, this brand-new installation explores the untold story of how World War II pilots and aircrew managed bathroom needs during long, frigid, and dangerous missions at high altitude. The catch? The exhibit is located where the topic is most relevant—inside the museum’s newly renovated restrooms.
Following a nearly $200,000 renovation of its restroom facilities, the museum’s team saw an opportunity to do more than simply upgrade the plumbing. Instead, they transformed these everyday spaces into immersive storytelling environments that address one of the most frequently asked—but seldom answered—questions from curious visitors, especially kids: “How did they go to the bathroom up there?”
According to Museum Director and CEO Keegan Chetwynd, the idea sprang from a desire to make history feel personal and accessible. “Learning is at the heart of everything we do here,” said Chetwynd, “but so is finding creative ways to connect our guests with the real human experiences of wartime aviation. It’s a funny question—but a completely valid one. A little out-of-the-box thinking told us the restroom was the perfect place to explore it.”
The exhibit is built around firsthand accounts, archival photographs, and historical research to answer that very question with both humor and accuracy. Visitors will learn about the dreaded Elsan chemical toilets—often more feared than the enemy—and the infamous relief tubes, which often provided anything but relief. The experience sheds light on the discomfort, improvisation, and sometimes comic misery involved in flying long missions in unpressurized, freezing aircraft.
Reactions from early visitors have ranged from “surprisingly fascinating” to “hilarious and educational.” And to ensure everyone has a chance to enjoy the exhibit, it has been installed in both the men’s and women’s restrooms. So the next time you “hit the head” at the Military Aviation Museum, you might want to leave your phone in your pocket—there’s plenty of interesting reading on the walls. The exhibit is included with regular admission and is now open to the public. The Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the summer. For more information, call (757) 721-7767 or visit https://militaryaviationmuseum.org.
