Memories of Night Fighters

During World War II, the United States fell behind the Germans and Japanese in developing nighttime airborne radar interceptors. “Even if they didn’t hit you, the nighttime bombers kept you awake all night,” says Frank Mormillo of the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino. By fixing radar pods on the wings of Corsair fighters, the Navy made them effective at intercepting the enemy at night. Their first night mission took place in the South Pacific in November, 1943.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of that flight, the Chino museum will roll out its Corsair day fighter and a night fighter for viewing Saturday. At 10 a.m., a guest speaker will talk about the war history of the plane. If the pilot is available, Mormillo says, he’ll take the day fighter--which flew missions in Korea--on a flight demonstration.

Twenty-six of the 100 airplanes at the Planes of Fame are flyable, Mormillo says. There are American, German and Japanese planes; wartime pictures; gun turrets; drones, and experimental craft. One of the three museum buildings, which doubles as the restoration shop, was among the original Cal-Aero Flight Academy buildings, a pilot training facility during World War II.

The museum, 7000 Merrill Ave., is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is $4.95; children 5-11, $1.95. Information: (909) 597-3722.