Burbank Aviation Museum
Burbank, Ca
A small museum dedicated to aviation history of San Fernando Valley, especially Lockheed, the Skunk Works, Grand Central Terminal (Glendale) and Metropolitan (Van Nuys) airports.
Located at 'Portal of Folded Wings' in Valhalla Memorial Park, just south of the Burbank Airport.. Access from Pierce Brothers gate at 10621 Victory Blvd. (at Cahuenga Blvd.) North Hollywood, CA or from Hollywood Way and Vahalla Drive (Sundays only), behind Frys Electronics in Burbank.
Open Sundays from noon until 4pm, weather permiting. Free admission. (818) 845-3300 www.GoDickson.com/bam1.htm
Portal of the Folded Wings-
Shrine to Aviation
Burbank, Ca
A beautiful 1924 building listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Huell Howser has done a segment on this site. 15 Pioneers of Aviation are buried here including Charlie Taylor, the man who made the Wright brothers 'glider' into the Wright Flyer. Bobbi Trout is the most recent arrival.
Enter Pierce Bros.-Valhalla Memorial Park, 10621 Victory Blvd. (at Cahuenga Blvd.) North Hollywood, CA 91606 and drive to farthest eastern end of park.
Site can be seen from Hollywood and Valhalla Drive, behind Frys Electronics in Burbank (this entrance is open on Sundays when the Burbank Aviation Museum docents are there). Free admission. (818) 763-9121
www.PortaloftheFoldedWings.com Carroll Gray's wonderful site.
www.PortaloftheFoldedWings.org Who owns this site now that Gia is gone?
Burbank Historical Society
Burbank, Ca
A city museum with a large Lockheed exhibit. Also, Disney, NBC, Warner Brothers Studios and more. A Lockheed F-104 sits on pole next to a Victorian house. This is the only Lockheed product still existant in Burbank. Where is our display SR-71?
1015 W. Olive Ave, Burbank, Ca (just west of Victory Blvd)
Open Sundays 1pm till 4pm. Free Admission (818) 841-6333
Burbank Airport
Burbank, Ca
Historic photos in lobby areas; 1/4 scale P-38 model from Air Force Academy on display; a large wall mural of P-38 by Mike Machat.
Built by Boeing Co. in 1930 as 'United Airport', all the famous pilots (Earhart, Lindbergh, Turner, Post, etc.) who bought Lockheed aircraft in Burbank used this field. Lockheed built Constellations, Vega B-17s, P-2, P-3s and lots more here. The Lockheed Skunk Works built U-2's, SR-71's and F-117's here. There should be a 'world class aviation museum' here. All traces of the once famous Lockheed plant are now gone.
At the south-west area of airport are 2 original 1930 hangars. Amelia Earhart and Paul Mantz used one to prepare for her last flight and the Bendix Races started from the other.
Watch out for parking rates, they can be expensive. (818) 820-4455
Grand Central Terminal
Building and airport site
Glendale, Ca
1310 Airway St. in Glendale, CA. West of railroad tracks at Western Ave.
The original terminal building built in 1928 is still here. TWA, Varney, Western, Pickwick and other airlines started here. Lindbergh made the first scheduled west to east flight from here in a Tri-Motor; many other records set from here. Hughes built and flew his H-1 racer here. Slate Dirigible Co. built sheet metal blimps here. It was a P-38 base in WW II. What else could you want? Disney owns what was once the entire airport. Will this rare and historic terminal building, the last of it's kind in the San Fernando Valley, be saved? Are you listening Mr. Eisner?
On the next block south, at 1096 and 1020 Airway, two original hangars remain. Disney uses one and another is a food warehouse. As the paint peels, you can see lettering from the old aviation company logos painted on the sheet metal.
See "Madcaps, Millionairs and Mose" by John Underwood
Aero Market
Glendale, Ca
Located near the old Grand Central Airport. Lots of photos, artifacts, books and magazines collected by the family of the original owner. Buy a sandwich and browse through the 'library' or talk with the very knowledgable owners.
Located at 1609 Victory Blvd., Glendale, CA, a few blocks north of the #134 freeway.
Glendale Library
Glendale, Ca
There is a 'time line' put up by the Walt Disney Co. covering the Grand Central Airport and the Disney Imagineering branch which has worked in the old airport area since the 1960's. It is located on a wall on the second level, in the rear of the library. Go up the back stairs and to the right.
The Glendale Library has a video about the Grand Central Airport called "When Glendale Ruled the Skys", narrated by Fritz Coleman. Watch it and return to the early days of aviation. I really wish we had a video like that for Burbank.
Brand mansion
Glendale, Ca
L.C. Brand flew an airplane custom built by Waldo Waterman in 1917; he had the first 'fly in' party here. No current aviation displays here; just a nice old house and art library. A Japanese pond and good hiking also.
See "Madcaps, Millionairs and Mose" by John Underwood
Griffith Park Airport site
Gone now but once a National Guard dirt field used by Glenn Curtiss and others beginning in 1916. Located where the Los Angeles Zoo parking lot is now, near the Gene Autry museum.
See "Madcaps, Millionairs and Mose" by John Underwood
Autobooks - Aerobooks, Inc
Burbank, Ca
A great selection of auto/aero books, tapes, etc.
3524 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank (one block east of Hollywood Way) (818) 845-0707
Automotive Books
Burbank, Ca
Fred Chaparro sells used automotive, aircraft manuals, racing memorabilia and books. He's at 1508 A W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA. Phone number is TH 5-1202 ('TH' stands for Thornwall)
Fred knows a lot of racing and other history. Ask him about when he worked in the studios in Burbank or about Arrigo Balboni, the aviation junk man.
Van Nuys Airport
Van Nuys, Ca
Originally 'Metropolitan airport, 1928; site of many early aviation endurance records and movie shoots. The public viewing area is at the end of Lindbergh St. (next to Fire Station) off of Woodley Ave. Half way down Lindbergh St. on the left is a wooden hangar used in 'Casablanca'. Howard Hughes filmed "Hell's Angeles" just a bit west of here at what he called 'Caddo Field'.
This airport is the busiest private airport in the world and lots of corportate jets (Warner Bros., Disney, etc) work from here, also some older jet fighters and P-51's are active here. Plus:
'Rare Bear' (Is the 'Bear' still at VN?)
'Rubber Bandit' (Where are you guys?)
Attend the annual 'Van Nuys Expo' in July to see B-1, B-52, F-117, Harrier, stunt flying, etc. Friday is good to see them landing but Monday morning is best to see them leaving in 'after burner'. Community Relations office is at 16461 Sherman Way, Suite 300. They have nice old photos on walls but not all are in public areas. (818) 909-3529
Watch the planes land from the outdoor patio at the '94th Aero Squadron' (owned by Dave Tallishat, warbird collector; he also owns the 'Proud Bird' at LAX) Located west of Woodley Ave. at 16320 Raymer St. (818) 994-7473
The 'Condor Squadron' of T-6's in on the west side of airport. These are the guys who 'strafe' the Lane Victory Liberty Ship out of Long Beach and they do 'fly overs' at cemeteries on national holidays and special occassions. Marquart developed RAM jet engines across the alley.
Whitman Airport
Pacoima, Ca
12657 Osborne St., Pacoima, CA A small single strip airport. Stop in at 'Rocky's - Home of the Jumbo Burger'. Sit on the patio and watch the plane land and take off. Please stay in the area of the restaurant; airports can be dangerous.
Museum of Flying
Santa Monica, Ca
This fine display is now CLOSED but is rumored to be moving to alternate location on the south side of the Santa Monica Airport.
2772 Donald Douglas Loop North, at Santa Monica Airport. (310) 392-8822
Western Museum of Flight
Hawthorne, Ca
Located at west end of 'Jack Northrop field'. Several dozen aircraft, some very rare. Also home of 'Southern California Historical Aviation Foundation'. Minimal entrance charge.
12016 Prairie Ave., (at 120th St.) Hawthorne, Ca 90250. (310) 332-6228
Air and Space Gallery
California Science Center
Los Angeles, Ca
A general aviation & space display; not too extensive. An F-104 is mounted on the wall outside. Elsewhere at location are IMAX Theaters and many other exhibits, many of them are 'interactive' and especially good for children.
700 State Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90037. (323) SCIENCE
http://www.casciencectr.org/Exhibits/AirAndSpace/AirAndSpace.php
Dominguez Hills Air Meet Site
Rancho Dominguez, Ca
Located on a hill top east of Dominguez College, the site of the first international air meet in the U.S. Historical Marker is located at 18501 S. Wilmington Ave in Carson, a bit north of Del Amo Blvd., near "Glenn Curtiss St." (On the east end of the college)
Father Patrick McPolin has spent years preserving the history of that meet; he interviewed several attendes. His small museum has been closed for refurbishment and I certainly hope we are allowed to see it again soon. It's very important history.
Proud Bird Restaurant
near LAX
Located at 11022 Aviation Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 670-3093
Full size aircraft replicas and lots of memorabilia on the walls. Also, watch the big jets land at LAX. Owned by Dave Tallishet, warbird collector (he also owns the 94th Aero Squadron at Van Nuys airport)
The original hangar #1 at LAX is still standing on the south-east corner of the airport. It is not open to the public but you can drive around and get a glimpse of it through the fence. Security people may tell to you move on.
Goodyear Air Ship Operations
Carson
Located off the 405 and 10 Freeways at Main St.. Park and watch the blimp activities. No rides available, as far as I know.
Planes of Fame
Chino, Ca
Located at famous 'Cal Aero Field', a WW II training base. Great collection of aircraft plus restoration facilities. This is where 'war birds' are rebuilt and flown.
Call for Saturday programs; they usually have presentations and flights of specific aircraft or eras. Admission is $ 8.50.
Stop in at 'Flo's' for good food and airplane talk
7000 Merrill Ave # 17, Chino, CA 91710. (909) 597-3722
USA Yanks Museum
Chino, Ca
At Chino Airport on south-west side.
(909) 597-1735
March Field Air Museum
Riverside, Ca
Good size museum with lots of aircraft (some really big ones) and space vehicles. See also, National P-38 Association Hangar , which is adjacent.
22550 Van Buren, on west side of March ARB, off I-215 Freeway at Van Buren exit
(909) 697-6602
National P-38 Association
website
Home of the group that supports everyone interested in the Lockheed P-38; first tested at March AFB in 1939. Located adjacent to south end of March Field Air Museum.
P.O. Box 6453, March Air Reserve Base, CA 92518
Email: p38@webtv.net
Mission Inn 'Flyers Wall', Riverside, Ca
The historic and beautiful Mission Inn is located in downtown Riverside, Ca. The 'Flyers Wall' is located near the chapel on the 3ed floor. A beautiful place to visit on a warm summer evening as the orange light of the setting sun casts a warm glow...sorry. It's a great place to visit. And a nice jazz bar also.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Pasadena, Ca
When early rocket engine tests caused problems in the Cal Tech basement, it was suggested that further tests be conducted in a rocky and remote location furthur up the Arroyo...and JPL was born.
Constellation Historical Society
Camarillo Airport, Ca
A C-121 radar Connie located at Camarillo Airport. Owner Wayne Jones has passed on and plans are being made to move the aircraft to ??
Email: Aerocon@earthlink.net
Commorative Air Force (CAF), So. Cal Wing
Camarillo Airport, Ca
455 Aviation Dr., Camarillo, Ca 93010 at Camarillo Airport
(815) 482-0064
Calif. Institute of Technology (CalTech)
Pasadena, Ca
Originally called the Throop Institute, it had one of the first wind tunnels on the west coast. Under the direction of Theodore Von Karmen they tested everything built on the west coast including the P-38, B-25, automobiles, motorcycles and Howard Hughes's H-1 Racer.
USAF Pant 42
Palmdale, Ca
On Sierra Hwy at Ave. N-12, there is a concrete pad and flag pole. Stop and watch for possible take offs from Lockheed or Boeing facilities. Pilots can see you, so wave.
Aerospace Walk of Honor
Lancaster, Ca
Located on Sierra Highway and Fig Ave. A beautiful F-4 painted as Experimental from Edwards AFB. Tributes to test pilots who worked in the area.
Lancaster, Ca.
Blackbird Airpark
Palmdale, Ca
Ave P & 25th St., Palmdale, Ca (815) 277-8050
http://www.edwards.af.mil/museum/docs_html/blackbird_airpark.html
American Data Plates
Lancaster, Ca
American Data Plates 45626 N. Sierra Hwy. Lancaster, CA 93536 Sierra Hwy. Aviation memorabilia sales, also production of data plates. (661)-723-0942
Coming in on a...
Wing & a Prayer cafe
Lancaster, Ca
90th Street and Ave. J; Phone: 661 946-7888
A tavern frequented by pilots, some from Edwards AFB, and aviation fans. Its decor is total aviation and the party shed in the back is covered with tags from pilots and others. Good food.
Mojave Airport
Mojave, Ca
Home of Burt Rutan's 'Scale Composits', creator of the 'Voyager'; first aircraft to fly around the world without refuelding. (661) 824-2433
Edwards AFB Museum
Edwards AFB
Located on base at Edwards Flight Test Center; you need clearance to get onto the base to see this.
http://www.edwards.af.mil/museum
doug.nelson@edwards.af.mil Director / Curator
Flight Test Historical Foundation
website
Lockheed Employees store
Palmdale, Ca
1011 Lockheed Way - Unit 12, Palmdale, just south of the hugh Lockheed/Martin hangar.
Lots of 'Lockheed-Martin' stuff to buy. It's hard to find old 'Lockheed-Burbank' stuff anymore. Look to the west to see Tony LeVier's P-80, also F-117, SR-71, etc.
Flabob Airport
Riverside, Ca
4130 Mennes Ave., Riverside, Ca. 92509. A great small field with the feel of the 1930's; home to builders of classic air racing planes. First Chapter of EAA (Experimental Aircraft Assoc.) was formed here.
(909) 683-2309
Santa Paula Airport
Santa Paula, Ca
Adjacent to Hwy # 123 in Santa Paula, Ca.
First Sunday of month is 'Open House' day. Aircraft owners open hangar doors for casual looking and talking. You may be suprised who you run into here. Stop for food and drink at Logsdon's 'at the airport'.
Palms Springs Air Museum
Palm Springs, Ca
Goleta Air Museum
Goleta, Ca
A great list of aviation museums and their displays.
