JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT : Aviation Museums in Southern California

Planes of Fame Air Museum

CHINO AIRPORT

Vintage civilian and military aircraft from World War I to Vietnam War eras, including the world’s only Japanese Zero still in flying condition. Also on display are a French Henriot Scout built in 1915, a P-51 Mustang fighter and a B-17 bomber from World War II, an F-104 and an F-105 flown in Vietnam and two Russian MIGs.

Address: 7000 Merrill Ave., Chino.

Telephone: (714) 597-3722.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Admission: $4.95 for adults, $1.95 for children under 12. Children under 5 are admitted free. Groups of 10 more receive a 20% discount.

March Field Museum

March Field Museum MARCH AIR FORCE BASE

Depicts the history of March Field from 1918, when it was called Alessandro Field, to the present. Collection includes more than 40 vintage aircraft from World War II to Vietnam War eras, including a U2 reconnaissance plane.

Address: Cactus Street and Graham Avenue, Moreno Valley, east of Interstate 215 in Riverside County.

Telephone: (714) 655-1110, Ext. 3725.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, 12 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Closed Mondays. Visitors must obtain a pass at the front gate.

Admission: Free.

Museum of Flying

SANTA MONICA AIRPORT

Collection includes British Spitfires, a Curtiss JN-4D Jenny, a P-38 Lightning and a P-51, displayed on a rotating basis along with other vintage aircraft. Museum includes a movie theater and special events facility.

Address: 2772 Donald Douglas Loop North, Santa Monica.

Telephone: (213) 392-8822, Ext. 201.

Hours: In the summer, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Tuesdays through Sundays; in the winter, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

Admission: $4 adults; $3 seniors and disabled; $2 juniors; $1 children.

Aerospace Hall of the California Museum of Science and Industry

EXPOSITION PARK

Current exhibit includes the Gemini 11 space capsule and the Pioneer Venus Probe satellite on loan from the Smithsonian Institution. Permanent collection includes an F-104D Starfighter (the world’s first Mach 2 production jet), an Air Force T-38 Trainer and a P-51. A touch-sensitive video monitor allows visitors to design their own aircraft.

Address: Exposition Boulevard and Figueroa Street, Los Angeles.

Telephone: (213) 744-7400.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Admission: Free.

Aerospace Historical

Center

Aerospace Historical Center BALBOA PARK

Exhibits depict the history of aviation from the Wright Brothers’ first flight to the space age. Includes replicas of Charles A. Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis and the Wright Flyer. Vintage aircraft collection includes a Soviet MIG-17, a PBY-5A manufactured by the Consolidated Aircraft Co. in San Diego in 1944, a Ryan Sports Trainer and a WWI SPAD 7 fighter built in 1918.

Address: 2001 Pan Am Plaza, San Diego.

Telephone: (619) 234-8291.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Admission: $4 adults; $1 children ages 6-18; free for ages 5 and under.