Chino
California
Planes of Fame Air Museum
About Us
Founded in 1957, The Air Museum Planes of Fame, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to preserving aviation history for the benefit of future generations. Currently, The Air Museum houses over 150 aircraft at its two locations, the main facility at Chino Airport in California and a satellite museum near the Grand Canyon at Valle Airport in Arizona. The Air Museum displays aircraft spanning the history of manned flight, from a replica of the Chanute Hang Glider of 1896, through modern space flight, and includes numerous milestone achieving test and research flight vehicles. The Air Museum is dedicated to collecting, restoring, displaying, and preserving aircraft and memorabilia for the educational benefit of current and future generations.
The Air Museum was founded by Mr. Edward Maloney, who recognized the importance of preserving WWII aircraft at a time when most of these planes were being cut up into scrap metal. Although the United States alone produced over 300,000 military aircraft during WWII, most of these were destroyed at the end of the war and many types disappeared entirely. Even fewer of Germany's and Japan's aircraft were saved. In his attempts to save endangered aircraft types from the scrap heap, Mr. Maloney pleaded, bartered, and even purchased the discards by the pound.
A number of the aircraft on display at the museum are sole surviving examples of their type, such as the Northrop N9MB Flying Wing, and still exist only because of Mr. Maloney's personal determination to save at least one example of as many different aircraft as possible.
The Air Museum was the first permanent air museum west of the Rocky Mountains. It officially opened its doors to the public in January 1957, with an initial collection of six aircraft and a great deal of hope for the future. The museum's original location was in Claremont, California. As the collection began to outgrow this first makeshift facility, the aircraft were moved to the Ontario, California airport. In 1973, The Air Museum finally took up its present residence at the Chino Airport, California. Coincidentally, this location was originally the home of the Cal-Aero Flight Academy during WWII, where thousands of Army Air Corps cadets learned to fly the warbirds the museum is now preserving.
Upcoming Events at Planes of Fame Air Museum
Recent News
Planes of Fame Air Museum News - January 3, 2024
This Saturday – January 6, 2024 "Hangar Talk" and the "Flying Demo" of the Curtiss P-40 "Warhawk" Doors Open at 9:00am – "Hangar Talk" at 10:30am – "Flying Demo" at 12:15pm What better way to kick-off the first Event Saturday of…
Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum News - December 1, 2023
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Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum to Host 'Taste of Flight' Gala
Chino, CA – The Planes of Fame Air Museum today announced their upcoming “Taste of Flight Gala” scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 2023, to be held at the Museum’s campus located at the Chino Airport. Festivities begin at…
Read More »Busy October in Store at Planes of Fame
BUSY MONTH AHEAD AT PLANES OF FAME October 7: Event Saturday featuring "Hangar Talk" and the "Flying Demo" of the North American F-86F "Sabre" Jet October 14 & 15: AirFest at Santa Maria Airport October 19 - 22: Take a Ride in a 1929 Ford…
Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum News - July 7, 2023
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Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum News - June 27, 2023
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Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum News - June 23, 2023
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Read More »'Wheels, Tracks, And Wings' Set For This Weekend
Multiple "Flying Demos," Dozens of Military Vehicles, Historical Reenactors, Engaging Presentations and a Special Performance by the Museum's M4 Sherman Tank! Get ready for something new and fun at Planes of Fame this weekend. On Saturday (May…
Read More »Take a Flight Into History This Week at Planes of Fame
This Week at Planes of Fame . . . Take a Flight Into History The Commemorative Air Force returns to Planes of Fame Air Museum tomorrow. Rides are available in their B-17G "Sentimental Journey" and their B-25J "Maid in the Shade" beginning…
Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum : Everyone's Favorite - the P-38 'Lightning' Takes to the Skies on Saturday!
Everyone's Favorite to Fly on Saturday The Museum's Lockheed P-38 "Lightning" Takes to the Skies "Hangar Talk" Features Topics to Take You Back in Time Fun for the Whole Family! It may be "April Fools" but we're not kidding when we put one…
Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum News - March 17, 2023
Upcoming Events at Planes of Fame "Wheels, Tracks, and Wings" and Flights in a B-17, B-25, and P-51! "Wheels, Tracks, and Wings" is Back and Bigger Than Ever! Two Day Event – May 6th and May 7th, 2023 Featuring Multiple "Flying Demos,"…
Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum News - October 5, 2022
Great "Hangar Talk" and "Flying Demo" This Saturday! See the F4U-1A "Corsair" Take to the Skies! We've got a great series of engaging "Hangar Talk" presentations in store for this Saturday, October 8, 2022, plus your chance to see the Museum's…
Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum : Busy, Busy Fall at the Planes of Fame Air Museum
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Read More »A Cool Way To Spend A Hot Day This Saturday
Rare Lockheed P-38 "Lightning" to Fly! The weather forecast may call for high temps this coming Saturday, September 3, 2022, but you won't want to miss one of the world's "coolest" treasures — the Museum's Lockheed P-38 "Lightning" —…
Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum - Sensational Saturday this week at Planes of Fame
Sensational Summer Saturday at Planes of Fame this week! "Hangar Talk" features some cool topics — "Flying Demo" features three T-6 aircraft in formation flight! Plus!! See the P-51 Mustang from "Top Gun: Maverick" on Display!! Looking…
Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum News - 'Wheels, Tracks, and Wings!' this Saturday
This Saturday, June 18, 2022 we're hosting something different that promises to be a lot of fun! This is our first-ever "Living History: Wheels, Tracks, and Wings" event. We've invited military vehicles and historical re-enactors from…
Read More »Planes of Fame Air Museum - A Big Week at the Planes of Fame Air Museum
History Takes Flight This Week at Planes of Fame -"Hangar Talk" & P-51D Mustang "Flying Demo" on Saturday (May 14) -Rides Available in a B-17G and B-25J Friday (May 13) thru Sunday (May 15) -Tours of the B-17 & B-25 Included with…
Read More »A Very Special May at Planes of Fame Air Museum!
Commemorative Air Force to Bring B-17 and B-25 to Planes of Fame in May Rides Available Friday, May 13 thru Sunday, May 15, 2022 The Commemorative Air Force, Arizona Wing, will be returning to Planes of Fame Air Museum in two weeks to offer…
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