Where American Legends Live On: Yanks Air Museum Welcomes AOPA to Chino, California

By Donia Moore

Setting the Stage

Imagine a younger America where patriotism was the order of the day and dashing heroes boldly flew legendary aircraft, fighting wars to defend American ideals of freedom at all costs.  Envisage new and unconventional aircraft turning the tides of history forever. Discover more than 200 fully restored proud American legends of yesterday living on at world-class Yanks Air Museum in Chino, Calif.

A Stellar Trio 

The “sister” ship of the famous “Ryan N.Y.P.” Spirit of Saint Louis, piloted by Charles “Lucky” Lindberg. The aircraft is made of welded chrome-moly steel tubing, solid spruce spars and covered with fabric (Yanks Air Museum) The lanky, quiet young U.S. mail-carrier ambled out to the airstrip and climbed into his Ryan B-1 Brougham. On May 20-21, 1927, this former barnstormer/wingwalker wasn’t flying his regular route. He was on his way to accomplish the first solo non-stop New York to Paris flight. He caught the imagination of the world. The popularity of his five-seat passenger transport sky-rocketed. Demand was so high among aviators that production of the B-1shot up to three planes a week for a price of $9,700.00 per plane. Only 142 of these were eventually built. Today, the only flyable Ryan B-1 in the world, the “sister” ship to Charles “Lucky” Lindberg’s “Spirit of St. Louis,” is at Yanks Air Museum in Chino, Calif. 

Fifty-nine-year old Admiral, Isokoru Yamamoto, Commander of the Japanese Imperial Navy, linked to the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway, scheduled an inspection tour in 1943 of the Solomon Islands and  New Guinea, intended to buoy Japanese (Yanks Air Museum)morale. His tour was interrupted on April 18 when American codebreakers identified his flight plans. His Mitsubishi G4M bomber fast transport was shot down by an American P-38 Lightening over Bougainville Island, Papua, New Guinea. The P-38 squadron chosen to carry out the mission ordered by President Roosevelt, which had the only aircraft able to manage the 1,000-mile round trip flight necessary. Today, a F-5G-6-LO Lightening (P-38L) single seat photo reconnaissance aircraft, the lightest and fastest of the P-38s, makes its home at Yanks Air Museum.

Orville Wright’s last flight was aboard the Lockheed EC-121T Warning Star “Connie” in 1944.

The world’s only flyable Lockheed EC-121 Super Constellation “Connie.” (Yanks Air Museum)Originally designed in 1939 as a luxurious 40-passenger airliner for competitors TWA and Pan Am, its production was halted following the attack on Pearl Harbor. All “Connies” on the production line were re-designated C-69s and accepted by the USAAF. More powerful than eight diesel locomotives, she burned more fuel on her record-breaking non-stop pass flight of 23 hours, 19 minutes more than the average family car used in 10 years. Bristling with on-board radar and surveillance systems, “Connie” carried a crew of 31 men––the largest crew the Navy ever flew aboard an aircraft. The “Connie” at Yanks Air Museum is a crowd-pleasing favorite with a long and distinguished service history.

Proud Traditions –Yanks and AOPA

When AOPA visitors step into Yanks Air Museum at the Sept. 20 Fly-In to Chino, they’ll be immediately transported to a time when airpower changed the world forever. Yanks welcomes this AOPA event with a barrel roll of VIP events: special tours; dinner; and a weekend of fellowship dedicated to honoring and preserving aviation traditions. Founded by classic aircraft enthusiasts, Mr. and Mrs. Nichols, the museum contains an astounding assortment of world-renowned American classic airplanes, spanning a wide variety of eras, wars, conflicts, and events.

With more than 200 examples of aircraft and aerospace transport, Yanks is one of the most popular aviation attractions in California and the United States. Veterans, visitors, pilots, and enthusiasts travel from all over the world to visit the unique collection and relive history. Because of Yanks’ high standard of excellence for more than 40 years in finding, restoring, preserving, and showcasing American civilian and military aircraft, pilots and aviation enthusiasts can see and touch what they could only dream of experiencing before. 

Starting with their acquisition, Yanks’ aircraft are restored and reconstructed to original factory specifications by talented, knowledgeable specialists in this field. Unlike other museums, Yanks welcomes visitors to its Restoration facility and “Boneyard.” Museum guests can view the restoration process in detail as it occurs. This in-depth exposure graphically illustrates the concern with which these rare and precious pieces of history are returned to their original state, carefully restored with the rarest and most authentic and original parts available. 

“Junior” Aviators Welcome!

Events for the whole family are legion at Yanks. Visit on “Open Cockpit” day, the third Saturday of every month. Children and enthusiasts of all ages climb aboard and into the cockpits of featured aircraft, immersing themselves in aviation history. Spend the day discovering the special activities or even go for a flight on a vintage airplane. Historic re-enactment days are periodically scheduled. Call the museum for information about the next one.

Yanks is about more than aircraft. Yes, you’ll see a 1903 Wright Brothers’ Flyer, the F-106 Delta Dart, and up through modern aircraft like the F-15, F-16, and the Blue Angels F-18 Hornet, but there’s an entire world of classic aviation relics on display to enjoy and appreciate. Well-researched exhibitions of aviation uniforms and attire, aircraft models, drones, missiles and even a wild, jumpmaster activity aboard the C-47 Skytrain are available.

When is it Open?

Open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and now on Sundays, Yanks Air Museum continues a tradition of affordable accessibility and fun at every visit. General admission starts at $11, featuring $5 entry for children ages 5-11, and offering a discounted rate of $10 for all seniors 65 and over. Military discounts are available with appropriate I.D. Yanks also offers group tours. Phone ahead for details.

Yanks’ Membership Program offers different membership levels to choose from, each one guaranteeing visitors access to a vast array of timeless air classics. Members support the aircraft restoration and display endeavors at the Museum.

Come relive the history of American flight and valor at Yanks Air Museum, truly a portal to America’s proud past.

For more information, please contact Yanks at 909/597-1735 or visit online at www.yanksair.com

 Donia Moore is a published author and rusty pilot who specializes in words, copy, and content writing. She may be reached at iwritewordssc@gmail.com