Planning my Central California Pilgrimage

[mrhenniger]

I booked my tickets for; flights, hotels, the P-38 gathering and the Reno air races. I am very much looking forward to the trip. Of course I am using the Locator to plan my travels and site-seeing adventures between events. I could use some help from you guys with a few specific sites to help me to determine if I should put the locations in my itinerary.

The list of sites in question are below.

Mike

* The revised list has been moved to a more recent post.

Last edited by mrhenniger on Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:51 am, edited 4 times in total.

[flyride]

I'm not sure about an F-14 and a UH-1 together, but as along as you are in Sacramento, you should stop by the California Aerospace Museum. Great selection of static aircraft and engines. The organization inherited much of the military hardware from the defunct McClellan Air Museum, but have continued to add pieces over the years, http://www.aerospacemuseumofcalifornia. ... _aircraft/

If you want to see some T-38 ops up close, you can go out to Mather Field (now a public airport). The Beale pilots shoot approaches, landings and refuel at Mather most weekdays.

[jdvoss]

As you are targeting the central Calfornia area I would recommend the following as "KEY" sites to put on your agenda:

USS Hornet Museum - located at former NAS Alameda. It's easy to get to... just drive on to the old base as it has been industrialized

McClelland Field Air Museum - former AFB located NE of Sacramento. Interstate 80 runs right past it. Quite a few aircraft on display although they seem to be getting shabby from outside display. Easy entry to McClelland as it too has been industrialized. CGAS Sacramento is located at the airport as well (HC-130's) ..also an array of borate bomber A/C on the ramp too.

Travis AFB air Museum - located near Interstate 80 on your way between Sacto and SF. Open Wed- Sun 12:00 to 3:00 pm for civilians like my self. It's on the base so you have to check in at the guard gate and they will "escort " you to the museum. Govt issued photo ID rqd ! Nice selecton of aircraft and well maintained. You may wish to call them in advance for any further entry rqmt's. They seem to be overly paranoid about security although it's merely an AMC base. Ph: (707) 424-4450


Castle Air Museum - located about 2 hr drive south of Sacramento on Hwy 99 (near Merced). A lot of aircraft of display!! Probably the best bomber collection outside of NMUSAF(B-17, B-18, B-23, B-24, B-25, B-29, B-45, B-50, B-36, Vulcan...)


Minor Museums: Western Aerospace Musuem @ Oakland Airport, Pacific Coast Air Museum @ Santa Rosa Airport, Hiller Air Museum @ San Carlos Airport

Assuming that there is not a massive heat wave I too will be at the Mather Field event in mid-September. Temps can reach 105F and higher in the shade...and there is little shade on a white concrete ramp.

JohnV

[mrhenniger]

I'm not sure about an F-14 and a UH-1 together....

Sometimes my info sources refer to airframes in a town that are part of a museum collection, but they don't reference the collection. If you are familiar with the area and have not heard of either displayed in a park or otherwise, then I doubt they are there.

...but as along as you are in Sacramento, you should stop by the California Aerospace Museum. Great selection of static aircraft and engines. The organization inherited much of the military hardware from the defunct McClellan Air Museum, but have continued to add pieces over the years,.

It is on my radar. I will be doing a huge amount of driving that week to try and fit in as many sites as possible. I am having trouble scheduling this museum during museum hours. Is it possible to get any photos "over the fence"?

Mike

[mrhenniger]

As you are targeting the central Calfornia area I would recommend the following as "KEY" sites to put on your agenda:

USS Hornet Museum - located at former NAS Alameda. It's easy to get to... just drive on to the old base as it has been industrialized

McClelland Field Air Museum - former AFB located NE of Sacramento. Interstate 80 runs right past it. Quite a few aircraft on display although they seem to be getting shabby from outside display. Easy entry to McClelland as it too has been industrialized. CGAS Sacramento is located at the airport as well (HC-130's) ..also an array of borate bomber A/C on the ramp too.

Travis AFB air Museum - located near Interstate 80 on your way between Sacto and SF. Open Wed- Sun 12:00 to 3:00 pm for civilians like my self. It's on the base so you have to check in at the guard gate and they will "escort " you to the museum. Govt issued photo ID rqd ! Nice selecton of aircraft and well maintained. You may wish to call them in advance for any further entry rqmt's. They seem to be overly paranoid about security although it's merely an AMC base. Ph: (707) 424-4450

They are all on my radar. Travis might be a problem. Like the Sacramento museum it might be difficult to get there during operating hours. Needing to arrange an escort ahead of time reduces my flexability as well.

Castle Air Museum - located about 2 hr drive south of Sacramento on Hwy 99 (near Merced). A lot of aircraft of display!! Probably the best bomber collection outside of NMUSAF(B-17, B-18, B-23, B-24, B-25, B-29, B-45, B-50, B-36, Vulcan...)

Absolutely! I already have this one on my schedule.

Minor Museums: Western Aerospace Musuem @ Oakland Airport, Pacific Coast Air Museum @ Santa Rosa Airport, Hiller Air Museum @ San Carlos Airport

Yes, yes and yes. There are already on my itinerary.

Assuming that there is not a massive heat wave I too will be at the Mather Field event in mid-September. Temps can reach 105F and higher in the shade...and there is little shade on a white concrete ramp.

I experienced 109F last year when I was in So Cal. I kind of enjoyed it while going from AC to AC. It actually wasn't that bad (and this is coming from a Canuck who spens a significant portion of the year frozen). I have my tickets for show, and since I am on vacation, I decided to opt for the VIP tent. I am very much looking forward to the show and seeing all of those P-38s together.

Mike

[jdvoss]

Mike:

RE: Travis AFB Air Museum

You DO NOT have to have prior permission to visit the museum. Just show up at the guard gate at the designated time(there is a parking lot for visitors) and walk in to the building and tell them your intent and they will arrange for an escort.

RE: NASA Ames Reserach Center, Moffett Field

Oh yes, regading the F-104 at NASA Ames Center at Moffett Field (Mountain View CA). It is now on display at the Moffett Museum (along with a US Army AH-1S Cobra). There is also a P-3 Orion on permanent display a few hundred yards away close to the control tower. You can gain entry to the base Wed thru Sunday 10 am thru 3 pm. Just tell the guard your destination ( the Musuem), show your govt issued picture ID, and they will give you directions you simply drive in. No hassle! I go there frequently as I live only 10 miles away and directly on the approach! Interesting A/C still occasionally frequent Moffett. An-124's are common, as well as military aircraft that come in for re-fueling. But most of the time the airfield is pretty quiet with an empty flight ramp. Be sure to take photos of Hanger One ( the dirigible hanger where the USS Macon was housed). The future of the bldg is questionable...and may be torn down as its 75 yrs old.

I have a few recent NASA photos posted under my name at http://www.warbirdz.net

John

[flyride]

It is on my radar. I will be doing a huge amount of driving that week to try and fit in as many sites as possible. I am having trouble scheduling this museum during museum hours. Is it possible to get any photos "over the fence"?

You can see a lot of aircraft from outside the chain link. The majority of the collection is out of doors. The space exhibits, equipment, ejection seat display, engines, Stearman, PT-19 and Curtiss-Wright biplane are always indoors and not visible from the fence.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Hi Mike;
Sounds like a great trip!
On the Airport at Mather Field where the air show will be is an F-105 on display. It's in front of a building on Peter A. McCuen Bvld.
Also, some one on WIX might be able to set you up with a visit to Eagles Nest in Iona, CA. It's not far and that is where the Sander's have their shop.
And don't forget, at Stockton Airport is WIX'er Taigh Ramey's Museum. He's got some great stuff there and is a super guy. Look up the threads on the Bomber Fantasy Camp and you'll see what I mean.

BTW, my team will be handling the ground ops for the show so please find me when you're there and say hello.
Jerry

[Bill Kistler]

Reno,

The F4 is visable from the road, and while just inside the fence line you can get a shot from the access road that shoots off the main road into the airport. I have taken shots of it without problem.

The F101 is several streets back and not really visable.

Bill.

[mrhenniger]

RE: Travis AFB Air Museum
You DO NOT have to have prior permission to visit the museum. Just show up at the guard gate at the designated time(there is a parking lot for visitors) and walk in to the building and tell them your intent and they will arrange for an escort.

I'll keep that in mind, however I may not be able to get there during acceptable hours.

RE: NASA Ames Reserach Center, Moffett Field
Oh yes, regading the F-104 at NASA Ames Center at Moffett Field (Mountain View CA). It is now on display at the Moffett Museum (along with a US Army AH-1S Cobra). There is also a P-3 Orion on permanent display a few hundred yards away close to the control tower.

Is the F-104 displayed inside or outside? There was once a Neptune displayed near the P-3. Where did it go to?

You can gain entry to the base Wed thru Sunday 10 am thru 3 pm. Just tell the guard your destination (the Musuem), show your govt issued picture ID, and they will give you directions you simply drive in. No hassle!

Are all entrances to the former base still gated? The entrance closer to the NASA site doesn't appear to be at all. This is not a problem since I would be visiting on a Friday morning, but I thought I would ask as it might affect my route in a minor way.

Thanks for your tips. They are very much appreciated.

Mike

[mrhenniger]

It is on my radar. I will be doing a huge amount of driving that week to try and fit in as many sites as possible. I am having trouble scheduling this museum during museum hours. Is it possible to get any photos "over the fence"?

You can see a lot of aircraft from outside the chain link. The majority of the collection is out of doors. The space exhibits, equipment, ejection seat display, engines, Stearman, PT-19 and Curtiss-Wright biplane are always indoors and not visible from the fence.

That is what I thought. I may be stuck with trying to get my pictures from over the fence. That is the problem with these trips. You always need one more day!

Mike

[mrhenniger]

Sounds like a great trip!

Yep. I think I will be busy having fun.

On the Airport at Mather Field where the air show will be is an F-105 on display.

Already noted. That one is in the Locator.

Also, some one on WIX might be able to set you up with a visit to Eagles Nest in Iona, CA. It's not far and that is where the Sander's have their shop.

This one is not in the Locator. Please tell me more. I found it on Google Earth. It appears to be one of those residential airstrips. Are there warbirds based there?

And don't forget, at Stockton Airport is WIX'er Taigh Ramey's Museum. He's got some great stuff there and is a super guy. Look up the threads on the Bomber Fantasy Camp and you'll see what I mean.

You are starting to make me look bad, as I don't have this one in the Locator either! I'll look up that other thread.

BTW, my team will be handling the ground ops for the show so please find me when you're there and say hello.

I will make a point of it. Where should I look for you? Since you are familiar with the site, which street should I use to approach the show?

Mike

[mrhenniger]

The F4 is visable from the road, and while just inside the fence line you can get a shot from the access road that shoots off the main road into the airport. I have taken shots of it without problem.

Thanks Bill!

Mike

[mrhenniger]

EDIT

Last edited by mrhenniger on Wed Jul 14, 2010 4:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

[jdvoss]

Mike:

USS Hornet:

You inquired if there is any issue with visiting the USS Hornet. Only one issue - You'll need $15.00 US.
Simply drive on to the old base and follow the signs to the Hornet. Pull up Alameda on google.earth so as to put it all in perspective.

NASA Ames, Moffett Field:

Yes, the TF-104G is outside. If you go to http://www.warbirdz.net my photo of the Starfighter is currently featured on the home page. Just click on my name and my entire photo collection will pop up including the Moffett P-2, P-3, et.al. The P-2 Nepturne has been temporarily removed from display for repainting...it could well be back on display at the time of your visit. It, along with the NASA C-141, AV-8, ER-2 etc, are across the runway in the blimp hanger for restoration. Perhaps if you are really nice to the people at the museum someone may escort you (there's that word again) over to the bldg for photo purposes. You'll find that the base is pretty quiet these days with hardly a soul around...so quiet that they actually closed the on-site McDonalds. Is that sad or what?