What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

Yanks Air Museum

Name: Yanks Air Museum
Address: 15121 Stearman Drive, Chino, CA, 91710, US
Telephone: +19095971735
Price range: $
Rating: 3.8

Home
United States
Chino, CA
Yanks Air Museum

Yanks’ houses one of the largest collections of rare, historic, and legendary American aircraft in the world. Many of which are airworthy.

Yanks Air Museum was founded in 1973 with the goal of honoring and preserving the history of American aviation. As a nonprofit organization, Yanks has grown into one of the largest collections in the World and includes more than two hundred aircraft housed at a ten-acre facility at the Chino Airport. An exciting and educational experience for the whole family, come and see our dedicated team bring

history back to life as they actively restore aircraft to flyable condition. Tour the museum and discover how the Wright Brothers succeeded in their historic flight or arrange to host your family and friends at your own private event in one of our aircraft hangars. Kids of any age come to Yanks to have fun and explore this exciting and heroic time of American aviation history.

05/30/2026

One week from now is the anniversary of D-Day! That means we have a special event for you. From 10 AM to 2 PM, pop on by and hop aboard our legendary C-47 Skytrain, the aircraft that helped carry Allied troops into history over 80 years ago. Walk around both the outside and inside, imagine what it would've been like back then, and then grab a refreshing drink at Ark Coffee to reflect on it all before you head back in the museum for more aviation history. We look forward to seeing you then!

https://www.facebook.com/events/2083184548911653/

05/29/2026

It’s CONTEST time! With our Norseman up and running, we can’t exactly consider her fully restored without some unique nose art. Are you ready to be part of aviation history too?

We asked for nose art topic ideas, and our fans had some brilliant ones. The real question is: can you bring them to life? If you want YOUR art up here on this plane, email a picture of it to [email protected]. We’ll pick our favorite three and then put them up here on Facebook for all of you to vote for the winner!

Note: In submitting your art for consideration, you hereby grant the right for Yanks Air Museum to use, reproduce, and distribute the work for any purpose with no compensation in perpetuity.

📸 credit: Gerald Willig Photography

05/28/2026

📅 On This Day in Aviation — May 27, 1919

On this day in 1919, the U.S. Navy Curtiss NC-4 made history by becoming the first aircraft to successfully complete a transatlantic flight.

After departing Newfoundland earlier that month and battling weather delays, engine issues, fog, and rough Atlantic conditions along the route, NC-4 finally arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, touching down on the Tagus Estuary at 8:01 p.m. local time. The achievement marked a turning point in aviation history, proving that long-distance oceanic flight was possible years before Lindbergh’s solo crossing.

Commanded by Lieutenant Commander Albert Cushing Read, the crew included Navy, Coast Guard, and engineering personnel who guided the massive flying boat across the Atlantic in stages through Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Azores. Of the three Navy Curtiss flying boats attempting the crossing, only NC-4 completed the journey. Her sister ships, NC-1 and NC-3, were forced down by severe weather before reaching Europe.

The NC flying boats were enormous aircraft for their era. Powered by four Liberty L-12 V-12 engines producing more than 400 horsepower each, the NC-4 featured a 126-foot upper wingspan and a wooden boat hull designed for open-water operations. With a cruising speed of roughly 85 mph and a range approaching 1,500 miles, the aircraft represented the cutting edge of naval aviation technology in the years immediately following World War I.

What makes the accomplishment especially remarkable is the era in which it occurred. The crew navigated largely by dead reckoning, celestial navigation, and support from a network of ships stationed across the Atlantic to help guide the route. Completing the crossing required not only engineering innovation, but also extraordinary crew coordination and endurance.

Today, NC-4 remains one of the most historically significant aircraft of the early aviation era — a pioneering flying boat that helped demonstrate the future potential of long-range international air travel.

05/26/2026

Here's an oldie but a goodie! Can anyone name this plane? Bonus points if you know what it was used for and when.

📸 credit: Uretsky Aviation

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember the hard work and sacrifice of those who have served our country in order to protect others, particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Who are you thinking about today? Share with us their stories, so we can all better remember and honor them together.

05/23/2026

Today we honor and remember a remarkable man, Charles Fisher Nichols, whose life was defined by hard work, vision, devotion to family, and an enduring passion for aviation.

Born on May 2, 1936, and passing peacefully on May 4, 2026, he lived a full and meaningful ninety years, leaving behind a legacy that will continue for generations.

He was known throughout the community as the proud owner of Nichols Lumber in Baldwin Park, CA, where he built not only a successful business, but lasting relationships and respect among all who knew him. Through dedication, integrity, and tireless work ethic, he created a life that reflected determination and perseverance. He believed in showing up every day, working hard, and taking pride in what you built.

Beyond business, his greatest passion was aviation. As the founder of Yanks Air Museum, he devoted countless hours to preserving the history of aircraft through collecting, restoring, and sharing these incredible machines with future generations. Few things brought him greater joy than spending time among the people and aircraft he loved so deeply. His passion to build and develop properties was legendary, including the Greenfield Ranch, RV Park and Industrial properties.

While he was admired for his accomplishments, those closest to him will remember him most for his personality, his sharp wit, unforgettable sense of humor, and the way he could make people laugh even in ordinary moments. He carried himself with strength and confidence, yet always made time for family, friends, and those around him.

He and his beloved wife, Judith Nichols, built a beautiful family and a life centered around love, hard work, and commitment. He was preceded in death by his wife and his son, Brett Nichols. He is survived by his daughters, Christen Wright and Valarie Deen, along with his cherished grandchildren: Casey Wright, Tiffany Agard, Cameron Deen, Cody Deen, Riley Deen, Amanda Deen, Collin Nichols, and Trevor Nichols, as well as many beloved great-grandchildren who will carry his memory forward.

He raised his family in West Covina, where many treasured memories were made before later relocating to Huntington Beach. No matter where life took him, his priorities remained the same: family, hard work, and the passions that gave his life meaning.

His legacy can be seen not only in the businesses and institutions he built, but in the family he loved, the lives he touched, and the respect he earned from everyone who knew him. He leaves behind a lasting example of dedication, generosity, and perseverance.

He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever honored.

https://yanksair.org/honoring-charles-fisher-nichols-founder-yanks-air-museum/

05/21/2026

to 2024 when our P-63 took to the air for a demonstration flight. Always good to see that Allison-powered Kingcobra doing what it was built to do.

📸

05/20/2026

Few fighters underwent a transformation as dramatic as the North American P-51 Mustang. What began as a rapidly designed fighter for the British Purchasing Commission ultimately evolved into one of the most effective long-range es**rt fighters of World War II — but its path to greatness wasn’t immediate.

The original Mustang prototypes were powered by the Allison V-1710 engine, which performed well at lower altitudes and gave the aircraft impressive speed, handling, and range. In early combat operations, the Mustang excelled in tactical reconnaissance and ground attack roles, particularly at low to medium altitudes. Pilots praised the aircraft’s laminar-flow wing, responsive controls, and exceptional endurance, but one major limitation quickly became clear: high-altitude performance.

That changed when engineers paired the Mustang airframe with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. The addition of the two-stage, two-speed supercharged Merlin completely transformed the aircraft’s capabilities above 20,000 feet. Suddenly, the Mustang could compete with — and often outperform — the Luftwaffe’s best fighters while still maintaining the long range needed to es**rt Allied bombers deep into occupied Europe.

In U.S. service, Packard-built Merlin engines powered the P-51B, C, and later D models, helping create the version of the Mustang most people recognize today. Combined with drop tanks, the Mustang finally gave the Allies a fighter capable of protecting bomber formations all the way to Berlin and back — dramatically shifting the air war over Europe.

It’s often thought that Hermann Göring, the commander of the Luftwaffe, said something along the lines of “The day I saw Mustangs over Berlin, I knew the jig was up.”

What makes the Mustang story so fascinating is that the airframe itself was excellent from the beginning. It was the engine change that unlocked its full potential and turned a promising fighter into a legend of aviation history.

05/18/2026

We know how cats feel about Mondays (and keyboards), but when Casey has to grab the ketchup bottle to establish some very literal boundaries with Geebs, we know it’s a special one. Someone come visit this cat so we can focus on planes! 😂 😍

05/17/2026

📅 On This Day in Aviation — May 17, 1942

One of the most important milestones in rotary-wing aviation took place when the U.S. Army accepted its first helicopter: the Vought-Sikorsky XR-4.

Test pilot Charles “Les” Morris and helicopter pioneer Igor Sikorsky completed a demanding multi-day delivery flight from Stratford, Connecticut, to Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio — a journey of more than 760 miles that required sixteen separate legs due to the helicopter’s limited range and fuel capacity. At a time when helicopters were still considered experimental machines, simply completing the trip was a major achievement in itself.

The final arrival made an impression. Morris reportedly hovered directly to the administration building before landing, where he and Sikorsky were greeted by Army officials, rotorcraft specialists, and even Orville Wright himself — a symbolic meeting between pioneers of fixed-wing and rotary-wing flight.

The XR-4 established the basic helicopter configuration still recognized today: a single main rotor paired with an anti-torque tail rotor. With side-by-side seating and dual controls, the aircraft served as both a test platform and proof that helicopters could become practical military aircraft. Powered by a Warner Super Scarab radial engine producing up to 200 horsepower for takeoff, the XR-4 demonstrated capabilities no conventional aircraft could offer, including vertical takeoff, hovering, and low-speed maneuvering.

Although modest in size and performance by modern standards, the XR-4 would become the foundation for the world’s first mass-produced helicopter design. Its success opened the door for the rescue, reconnaissance, transport, and utility helicopters that would fundamentally reshape both military and civilian aviation in the decades that followed.

Address

15121 Stearman Drive
Chino, CA
91710

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+19095971735

Website

http://www.yanksair.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Yanks Air Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Yanks Air Museum:

Shortcuts

Address
Telephone
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Museum
Claim ownership or report listing

Want your museum to be the top-listed Museum in Chino?