Planes of Fame Air Museum

Planes of Fame Air Museum Where Warbirds Fly and Aviation History Lives! World-famous aviation museum based in Chino, Californ Come see us!
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While the journey from 10 original aircraft to over 150 has been a long one, our mission has never changed. It is the Mission of Planes of Fame Air Museum to preserve aviation history, inspire interest in aviation, educate the public, and honor aviation pioneers and veterans. And although the Museum spans the history of manned flight from the Wright Flyer replica to the Space Age of Apollo, many m

ore chapters remain to be written and many more stories told before the vision of a young Ed Maloney is finally fulfilled.

✈️ DID YOU KNOW⁉️ The Grumman F7F Tigercat was the U.S. Navy’s first twin-engine fighter, and when it first flew in 194...
10/29/2025

✈️ DID YOU KNOW⁉️
The Grumman F7F Tigercat was the U.S. Navy’s first twin-engine fighter, and when it first flew in 1943, it could hit speeds over 425 mph, far outpacing many single-engine fighters of its era.
Despite its impressive performance, the Tigercat was too large and heavy for most aircraft carriers and never saw combat in World War II due to its late introduction. Instead, it found its niche as a land-based night-fighter and reconnaissance bird during the Korean War.
➡️ See the Tigercat FLY THIS SATURDAY (11/1) at Chino Airport for the November Hangar Talk Flying Event!

💥 FLYING THIS SATURDAY! Join us at Chino Airport, CA, for another incredible day of history as we fly the mighty Grumman...
10/27/2025

💥 FLYING THIS SATURDAY! Join us at Chino Airport, CA, for another incredible day of history as we fly the mighty Grumman F7F Tigercat! Doors open at 9am here at the Planes of Fame Air Museum, with the event starting at 10:30am. We will have some incredible presenters discussing several aviation/military topics which will be followed around 12:15pm by the F7F Tigercat firing up in front of the crowd and taxing out for a flight demo over the museum! The event is included with regular museum admission. We'll have food vendors, special activities and displays, and our 8th Annual Ed Maloney Scale Model Contest! All happening THIS SATURDAY, don't miss it!

📷We are proud to showcase our rare Vought F4U-1A Corsair that has recently undergone a complete overhaul and brand new p...
10/24/2025

📷We are proud to showcase our rare Vought F4U-1A Corsair that has recently undergone a complete overhaul and brand new paint job! We had a chance to fly it and our photographer Britt Dietz captured these shots over the Santa Maria coast last Saturday.
🖌️Our docent Adam Estes adds some info about the new paint job: "After two years of restoration, the Planes of Fame Air Museum's Vought F4U-1A Corsair made its first public appearances at the MCAS Miramar Airshow, Apple Valley Airshow, and the Central Coast AirFest. With the restoration has come a new look for the world's oldest-flying Corsair. This new paint scheme is reflective of what the aircraft looked like when it rolled off the Vought Aircraft production in Stratford, Connecticut in late August 1943 and delivered to the US Navy on August 31, 1943. While this may be a new look for fans of the Planes of Fame, the new paint scheme honors the unique status that the museum's F4U Corsair has in currently being the oldest airworthy Corsair in the world."

💥COMING SOON - TIGERCAT! Just because AirFest is over doesn't mean the flying stops! In fact, we're just a bit over one ...
10/22/2025

💥COMING SOON - TIGERCAT!
Just because AirFest is over doesn't mean the flying stops! In fact, we're just a bit over one week away from our next event, and this time we're featuring a special 'cat'. That's right, the Grumman F7F Tigercat will be headlining our November 1st, 2025 Hangar Talk Flying Event here at Chino Airport, CA. Doors open at 9am with the event starting at 10:30am. Following some incredible presentations, the Tigercat will fire up in front of the crowd and taxi out for a flight demonstration over the museum. We'll have food vendors, special activities, and you never know what else you might see around the museum! PLUS - We will also be having the Ed Maloney Annual Scale Model Contest this day. All happening November 1st!

What a weekend! Central Coast AirFest 2025 is officially a wrap — and we couldn’t have done it without the incredible pe...
10/21/2025

What a weekend! Central Coast AirFest 2025 is officially a wrap — and we couldn’t have done it without the incredible people who made it all possible!

A huge THANK YOU to the FAA, Santa Maria Airport, Fire Department, Police, Air Boss, Pilots, Sponsors, Vendors, Radisson, Security, Parking Staff, Hot Ramp Crew, “A-Team” Crew, Staff, Volunteers, Announcers, so many others — and all of YOU who came out to make this year’s show unforgettable.

You are the reason the skies over Santa Maria come alive every year. See you in 2026!

🛩️ MISSION COMPLETE! 🛩️Central Coast AirFest 2025 is officially in the books—and what a weekend it was! From roaring war...
10/20/2025

🛩️ MISSION COMPLETE! 🛩️
Central Coast AirFest 2025 is officially in the books—and what a weekend it was! From roaring warbirds to heart-pounding aerobatics, from the smell of jet fuel to the sound of cheering crowds—you made it unforgettable.
A massive thank you to our pilots, volunteers, vendors, and especially to you, our incredible fans, for making this year’s AirFest the best one yet!
Until next time, keep looking to the skies. ✈️

⚡FINAL DAY 2 IS HERE! ⚡The sun’s up, the engines are warming, and the thunder is about to roll! It’s Day 2 of Central Co...
10/19/2025

⚡FINAL DAY 2 IS HERE! ⚡
The sun’s up, the engines are warming, and the thunder is about to roll! It’s Day 2 of Central Coast AirFest 2025 at the Santa Maria Airport — and today you’ll see not one, but TWO P-47 Thunderbolts take to the skies together! 💥
Don’t miss your last chance to experience the roar of history, incredible flying, great food, and family fun. The final day of AirFest is happening right now — so get out here and feel the THUNDER!
🎟️ https://centralcoastairfest.com
📍 Santa Maria Airport | Oct 19
👧 Kids 11 & under FREE | 🚗 Free Parking

✈️ THAT’S A WRAP ON DAY 1! ✈️What a day, Santa Maria! The warbirds soared, the crowds cheered, and the AirFest energy wa...
10/19/2025

✈️ THAT’S A WRAP ON DAY 1! ✈️
What a day, Santa Maria! The warbirds soared, the crowds cheered, and the AirFest energy was off the charts. Thank you to everyone who joined us for an amazing start to the weekend!
Tomorrow’s our final day—don’t miss your last chance to catch the action, food, and fun at Central Coast AirFest 2025!
🎟️ https://centralcoastairfest.com
📍 Santa Maria Airport | Oct 18–19
👧 Kids 11 & under FREE | 🚗 Free Parking

✈️ GATES ARE OPEN — LET’S FLY! ✈️The wait is over! Central Coast AirFest 2025 is officially underway, and the gates are ...
10/18/2025

✈️ GATES ARE OPEN — LET’S FLY! ✈️
The wait is over! Central Coast AirFest 2025 is officially underway, and the gates are now open! Come early, grab some great food, stake out your spot, and get ready for the sights and sounds of amazing aircraft filling the Santa Maria sky!
🎟️ Tickets → https://centralcoastairfest.com
📍 Santa Maria Airport | Oct 18–19
👧 Kids 11 & under FREE | 🚗 Free Parking

🔥 DAY 1 IS HERE! 🔥The roar of engines, the smell of jet fuel, and the rumble of history—Central Coast AirFest 2025 has o...
10/18/2025

🔥 DAY 1 IS HERE! 🔥
The roar of engines, the smell of jet fuel, and the rumble of history—Central Coast AirFest 2025 has officially taken off! Join us today at the Santa Maria Airport for a full day of warbirds, aerobatics, food, drinks, and family fun. Bring your camera, your friends, and your love of flight—because this weekend only happens once a year!
🎟️ Tickets at https://centralcoastairfest.com
📍 Santa Maria Airport | Oct 18–19, 2025
👧 Kids 11 & under FREE | 🚗 Free Parking

Address

14998 Cal Aero Drive
Chino, CA
91710

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+19095973722

Website

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Visit Planes of Fame Air Museum at Historic Cal Aero Field in Chino, California. The Planes of Fame Air Museum was founded in 1957 by Edward Maloney. It is the oldest independently operated aviation museum in the United States.

The museum collection spans the history of manned flight from the Wright Flyer of 1903 to the space age Apollo Capsule. We house over 150 Aircraft and displays. Many of the Aircraft are flyable, including the P-51 Mustang, F4U Corsair, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-40 Warhawk, B-25 Mitchell, P-38 Lightning, F-86 Sabre & Russian Mig 15.

Our Mission is to preserve aviation history, inspire interest in aviation, educate the public, and honor aviation pioneers and veterans.

We are a non profit 501 (c)(3) organization that has grown since 1957 through donations and dedicated volunteers. For more info please visit: www.planesoffame.org