This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Tue May 13, 2014 3:38 am
A great museum, with some amazing machines. I visited on the Wednesday before the Planes of Fame Airshow when everything was still covered in a thick layer of sand that was being blown in by the strong winds, not great for photos but well worth the visit.
Tue May 13, 2014 7:53 am
Thanks for posting.
Some very interesting stuff there.
Is the Hellcat under restoration to fly?
Andy
Tue May 13, 2014 9:22 am
Went there on the Wednesday before the show as well (my photos are in the gallery section (nothing special)). I couldn't believe how the docents were so apologetic about the winds/dirt (as if they had anything to apologize for). I was extremely impressed with the museum and those that run it and work there.
Andy, most all of the restorations (including the Hellcat) are done to airworthy, but not flown. The 12-A Electra and P-51D have flown every now and then, though the P-51 is currently waiting for a new radiator.
Tue May 13, 2014 9:40 am
Thanks for all those pics.

What a collection they have there.
Tue May 13, 2014 10:51 am
DH82EH wrote:Thanks for posting.
Some very interesting stuff there.
Is the Hellcat under restoration to fly?
Andy
Hi Andy,
As noted by Mr. Terrell the completed Hellcat is restored to airworthy standards but has not been flown in many years. The second Hellcat pictured under restoration will be finished to the same standard according to the guys working on her.
Tue May 13, 2014 10:54 am
C VEICH wrote:As noted by Mr. Terrell the completed Hellcat is restored to airworthy standards but has not been flown in many years. The second Hellcat pictured under restoration will be finished to the same standard according to the guys working on her.
So it did fly once? I thought all of Yank's aircraft (at least the WWII ones) we're restored to airworthy condition but never flown.
Tue May 13, 2014 10:57 am
Thanks for the post. Very cool collection.
Tue May 13, 2014 11:16 am
Any word on when the Corsair will be finished?
Tue May 13, 2014 11:35 am
Years ago I was waiting to do some flying at Chino so I walked around the museum.
Ten years later, I was back for a longer visit...and again was shown around.
Great people, great planes.
Tue May 13, 2014 11:44 am
Groovy! You've done a fine job of documenting their collection. I'm especially diggin' the Curtiss and Bell products.
Did you happen to get any more shots of the O-52?
Fade to Black...
Tue May 13, 2014 2:56 pm
Warbird Kid wrote:C VEICH wrote:As noted by Mr. Terrell the completed Hellcat is restored to airworthy standards but has not been flown in many years. The second Hellcat pictured under restoration will be finished to the same standard according to the guys working on her.
So it did fly once? I thought all of Yank's aircraft (at least the WWII ones) we're restored to airworthy condition but never flown.
You know, that's a good question! I've seen pictures of it on display at a Planes of Fame airshow way back in the 1980's and always just assumed it was a flyer. In fact, for reasons I can't pinpoint, I have it in my mind that this bird was restored and flown prior to being purchased by Nichols/Yanks. Can anyone confirm? The Warbird Registry does not have any information about the airplane prior to Yanks' ownership.
Tue May 13, 2014 3:32 pm
The Hellcat flew in, and I think it flew a few times after that.
Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group.
phpBB Mobile / SEO by Artodia.