Planes of Fame 50th Anniversary

by Tom Cleaver

The Air Museum, Planes of Fame, celebrated it's 50th Anniversary at Chino this past Saturday, January 6.  The Museum is the oldest privately-owned air museum in the world, and is a world leader in the restoration of aircraft to flight status. 

 

After three days of heavy winds and cool temperatures across Southern California, the winds were calm and the day warmed up to about 75F, making it perfect for the extended flying displays put on.  The star performer of the day was the Boeing P-26A, the only one of its kind left in the world that flies.  2006 was the first year the airplane had flown since 1983.  The Museum's P-38J is one of only three P-38s left that are flyable.

 

The Museum has had a big year, with new hangars finished and bigger displays put on.  For those who have been there before, the news that there are four new state-of-the-art restroom facilities will be welcome news indeed.