Michael Satterfield
I decided to take my first ride on the Cleveland Ace since I got back from my cross country motorcycle trip. I was making my way south when I spotted that Yank’s Air Museum at Chino Airport was open since I had some time to kill before lunch I paid the $16 admission and headed inside.
Yanks Air Museum hosts one of the world’s largest aircraft collections of vintage aircraft, almost all of them airworthy. Including a number of rare planes from the early days of flight like the Thomas-Morse S-4C Scout and Waco 10 DSO and iconic warplanes like the P-38 Lightning and a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet. Helicopters, experimental aircraft, early target drones, cruise missiles, and even a WWII vintage Japanese “baka” bomb.
Unlike many museums, Yank’s offers visitors a peek behind the scenes by allowing guests to tour the restoration hanger and boneyard. In the restoration hanger, you can see what it takes to restore these vintage planes back to airworthy specifications, chat with the mechanics, and you might be surprised how much wood is used in early aircraft. Then exit the restoration hanger and walk around the “junkyard” where planes and vehicles are stored for parts or are awaiting their turn to be taken into the restoration hanger and rebuilt to fly another day.
If you would like to visit Yank’s Air Museum they are located at the historic Chino Airport and open Tuesday – Sunday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Admission is $16 for adults and just $5 for kids (children under 5 are free). For more info or to plan your trip visit their website HERE.
Enjoy more photos below:
