
02/04/2023
What is your favorite biplane? Can you identify these three?
Yanks’ houses the largest collection of rare, historic and legendary American aircraft in the world. Every aircraft at Yanks Air Museum has a story to tell.
Today, aviator or not, many visitors and group tours are lured to Yanks Air Museum, where the Legends live on! Yanks’ houses the largest private collection of American WWII fighter, dive and torpedo bombers in the world. Join us to discover America’s aviation history and the lore of flight. From the Wright Brothers’ 1903 Wright Flyer to the record-breaking F-106 Delta Dart, at Yanks you can see the entire sweep of American aviation!
Today, aviator or not, many visitors and group tours are lured to Yanks Air Museum, where the Legends live on! Yanks’ houses the largest private collection of American WWII fighter, dive and torpedo bombers in the world. Join us to discover America’s aviation history and the lore of flight. From the Wright Brothers’ 1903 Wright Flyer to the record-breaking F-106 Delta Dart, at Yanks you can see the entire sweep of American aviation!
Operating as usual
What is your favorite biplane? Can you identify these three?
! This is our Porterfield 35-70 Flyabout! First introduced at the Detroit air show in 1935, the Flyabout was promoted with free flight lessons and greeted with enthusiasm. Orders for this capable little aircraft soon poured in and new owners bragged “it’s a helluv-a-lot of plane for $1695”.
We acquired it in 2013 and finished the restoration in 2014. Can you guess how many Flyabouts were produced?
Here's another historic in history! In 1974 General Dynamics Prototype YF-16 completed its first-ever flight! During the 90-minute flight, the airplane reached 400 knots and 30,000 feet!
Pictured is the YF-16 49 years ago, and our F-16B in the Thunderbirds livery. Do you know what year the Thunderbirds adopted the Viper?
in 1971 the 4000th F-4 Phantom II was delivered to the United States Air Force. This specific aircraft, 69-7294, would end up being turned into a QF-4G drone to be used as an aerial target in 1998.
Do you know how many years the F-4 was in service?
Who can tell the difference between these two aircraft on ? Here's a hint: Both of them were instrumental in training pilots during WWII!
On today's installment of , we have the venerable F/A-18B Hornet! Do you know what year the Hornet first entered service?
How many different aircraft can you identify from this picture of our boneyard? Put what you see in the comments!
in 1957 the last North American Aviation P-51 Mustangs in squadron service with the United States Air Force were retired. The last P-51s were used by the 167th Fighter Bomber Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard. Featured in this photo is “Wham Bam!” flown by the 167th’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph T. Crane, Jr.
Do you know how many years the P-51 was used by the United States armed forces?
Do you know how many years the A-7 Corsair II was in service for? How about the original Corsair?
It was in 1962 that the first F-110A Spectre was delivered to the U.S. Air Force. The Spectre was soon redesignated as the F-4C Phantom II! McDonnell built 5,057 Phantom IIs. They served with the United States Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and many allied nations.
Do you know why the F-4C was originally designated the F-110A?
in 1939 a Curtiss-Wright Hawk 75A shattered all known aircraft speed records. The prototype flown by H. Lloyd Child performed a 9,000 foot dive and achieved speeds greater than 575 miles per hour while demonstrating the aircraft to the French army. After this test, France ordered 100 Hawks and later purchased many of the future variants. After the surrender of France in 1940 many Curtiss Hawks made their way to England. In service with the Royal Air Force, these airplanes were called the Mohawk. The 75A would later be developed into the P-36 Hawk used by the U.S. Armed Forces.
What other famous planes did Curtiss-Wright make during World War II?
Make sure to come in today at noon to hear from Master Sergeant Sorenson who spent seventeen years flying the EC-121D! While you’re here, take the opportunity to climb aboard Yanks’ very own EC-121!
This is our Grumman F9F-8P Cougar! The Cougar was a rugged and reliable, well-liked aircraft with excellent handling. This carrier-based subsonic aircraft was considered an improved version of the F9F Panther, thus all versions of F9F-6 forward are 35-degree swept-wing and tail “Cougar” variants.
Our Cougar is an RF-9J or 'Photo Cougar' meaning it was refitted for reconnaissance missions. Many changes were made to the fuselage structure and equipment, including the longer “duck’s bill” camera nose added to accommodate the K-17 and trimetrogon cameras (three cameras shooting simultaneously for use in topographic mapping). All the armament systems were removed, many were fitted with a nose refueling probe and the compressor ducting was re-routed to provide heat to defrost the camera windows.
Even the Blue Angels loved the Cougar. Do you know what years they used the F9F-8 in their performances?
Warhawks in flight! to the 2019 Chino Airshow! Do you know what year the P-40's first flight was?
Join us at Yanks Air Museum on January 21st at 12:00 to hear Master Sergeant Sorenson’s story in his own words! While you’re here, take the opportunity to climb aboard Yanks’ very own EC-121 and experience exactly what crewmen like Sorensen had to do to accomplish their unique missions.
The Second World War witnessed the integration and successful use of radar as an indispensable tool. Early experiments with airborne mounted radar laid the foundations for Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems used around the world today. But it was in the post-war years that the concepts and operational techniques of airborne early warning were matured and perfected. Enter the EC-121 Warning Star, a capable, long-range radar system mated with Lockheed’s classic Constellation design. Viggo E. Sorensen joined the Air Force in 1951 with the goal of being a Flight Engineer. He could not have known at the time that he would spend a total of seventeen years flying the EC-121D. By the time he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant, Sorensen had earned the nickname “The Old Man of the Radar Connies”. Today, the nickname serves as the title of his new book co-written with L. De La Torre.
Come and join us and learn about this defining period in Air Force history.
! This is our Grumman G-21A Goose. The Goose was first produced in 1938 with 345 total being produced. Although only 30 of them were G-21As.
Who can guess how many pounds our Goose weighs?
in 1975 the F-15A "Streak Eagle" set 5 Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) time-to-altitude records in one day. Majors Roger J. Smith took the Streak Eagle from brake release to 9,843 feet in just 27.571 seconds. Willard R. MacFarlane went to 19,685 feet in 39.335 seconds, 29,528 feet in 48.863 seconds, and 12,000 39,370 feet in 59.383 seconds. The last record for the day went to David W. Peterson, who reached 49,213 feet in 1 minute, 17.042 seconds.
Learn more about the Streak Eagle and these records at: https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/2022/01/16/
Why do you think they used 3 different pilots to reach the 5 records?
! This particular aircraft was delivered in 1930 and acquired by us in 1987. Do you know what model this is?
! Who can identify this Fighter? Here's some hints: It first flew in 1954 and we acquired ours in 2005.
to the 2019 Chino Airshow. When was the last time you saw an F-15 Eagle in person? Do you know what variant of the F-15 this is?
Out of these WWII era which one is your favorite? Also can you identify all four?
! The Vultee BT-13B Valiant was a basic trainer used by both the U.S. Army Air Forces and the U.S. Navy (they called it the SNV-1) to train pilots during WWII. It was affectionately nicknamed the “Vultee Vibrator” and taught instrument, formation, cross-country, night, radio, and aerobatic flight.
Fun Fact The Valiant outnumbered all other basic trainers produced in the US during WWII.
What is your favorite trainer aircraft?
Does anybody recognize this aircraft from the 2019 Chino Airshow?
! Craig Rembold captured this amazing photo of our P-40E Warhawk! Do you know how many variants of the Warhawk there are?
or ! This is our F-5E Tiger II. The original F-5A was chosen as the economical supersonic export fighter for the United States allies Mutual Assistance Program (MAP). At an affordable two million dollars the world-class Freedom Fighter was a huge success and was used by more than 13 operators besides the U.S. The USAF also acquired the trainer version, the T-38 Talon, to replace the T-33 Shooting Star.
The redesigned F-5E was built under license in various other countries. Ours was built by the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) Taiwan and was operated by them from 1974 through 1998. We acquired our Tiger II in 2010.
! This is our P-47D Thunderbolt! The P-47 was originally designed by WWI ace Alexander Kartveli to combat German jets and V-1 rockets. With advanced speed, altitude, and range the “Jug” was responsible for more victories than any other aircraft in WWII.
We also have a YP-47M in our collection. Do you know the difference between the D and M variants?
Continuing on our Waco trend from yesterday, this is our Waco “UEC”. The UEC was the first Waco, and the only bi-plane in the Yanks collection, to use tension-compression struts to replace the familiar crossed steel flying wires. Many other innovative ideas were incorporated into the UEC, like the speed-ring cowling and wheel pants for streamlined appearance and performance. As well as a center-hinged bar allowed the swing-over-steering wheel to provide dual control capability.
Do you know what year our UEC was made? !
! This is our Waco 10 GXE. Originally known as the Waco 10, this was the most numerous of any model built by Waco and known for its excellent handling. The Waco Aircraft Co started life as Weaver Aircraft Company in 1919. Waco later became well known for the Hadrian troop glider of WWII. Many Waco aircraft are still flying today, a tribute to the aircraft's familiar characteristics and the loyal following of the Waco line. This aircraft was produced in 1927 and acquired by Yanks in 2012.
Also ! Do you know what Waco stands for?
This MASH-type helicopter is the Bell 47D-1 Sioux (OH-13E). The 47D was the second largest production helicopter model (6,283) behind the Bell UH-1 Huey. Equipped for utility, wire-laying, evacuation and training the Sioux was used by over 30 nations.
Do you prefer the N3N with sea-legs or the landlubber version? We love them both!
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We hope you have a great New Year! We will be closing early tomorrow at 1:00 pm and will be reopening on January 3rd!
It was in 1939 that the prototype Consolidated XB-24 heavy bomber made its first flight. The Liberator would go on to be one of the most effective and iconic bombers of the Second World War. By the end of the war, 18,482 B-24 Liberators were built. This was more than any other Allied aircraft type.
We have a Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer. Do you know the difference between the two?
Timeline photos
and ! One of these airplanes is the T-38A Talon, the other two are Fighter aircraft. Do you know which is the T-38 and can you identify the other two jets? There is a hint at the link in our Instagram bio. While you're there give us a follow! Good luck!
in 1956 the Convair F-106 Delta Dart made its first flight! The F-106A was the primary all-weather interceptor of the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1988. Do you know what aircraft replaced it?
The first photo is of our F-106B, the second is of the F-106A during its first flight.
Happy Holidays! From our family to yours, we wish you an excellent holiday season!
in 1941 the C-47 had its first-ever flight! Did you know that the C-47 is actually based on a civilian airliner? The DC-3 was designed by Douglas after American Airlines requested a “Flying Pullman Railway Car” for its non-stop New York to Chicago route. The DC-3 had its first flight on December 17th, 1935.
At the onset of WWII, the military developed the C-47 from the DC-3 and it went on to be used in every combat theater. It also played a vital role on D-Day. Skytrains were tasked with dropping 13,000 elite paratroopers of the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions over Normandy.
Do you know which aircraft led the main airborne element on D-Day?
! This is our Lockheed EC-121T "Warning Star" at a San Antonio area airshow in the 1990s. At the time this picture was taken, it was privately owned. Now we're proud to call it part of our collection!
When was the last time you saw our Warning Star in person?
Thank you to Tim Barlow for sharing this picture with us!
in 1970 the F-14 made its first-ever flight! The Tomcat would become one of the most iconic fighter aircraft in the U.S. Navy's fleet, serving for over 20 years.
Do you know what jet replaced the F-14?
Taylor getting ready for a flight in the Warhawk! We posted a video of that flight from the T-6's POV last Monday! Did you watch it?
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15121 Stearman Drive
Chino, CA
91710
General Admission: $16.00 (Includes approx. 200 aircraft, Museum, Restoration & Boneyard Access) Seniors (65+) : $15.00 Children (5-11): $5.00 Children (under 4): Free
Tuesday | 10am - 4pm |
Wednesday | 10am - 4pm |
Thursday | 10am - 4pm |
Friday | 10am - 4pm |
Saturday | 10am - 4pm |
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This is an limited time opportunity, rides sell out quickly and we are stunned at the huge response to the rides and tours when DOC arrives. This is a magnificent machine, in beautiful flying condition. “It’s and honor to be hosted by three historic and renowned air museums, all of which share our passion and mission of maintaining warbirds and aircraft to ensure our nation’s rich aviation history lives on,” said Josh Wells, B-29 Doc executive director. “Together, we work to continue our joint mission of honoring the legacy of the Greatest Generation, as well as those who have fought and continue to fight to defend our freedom at home and abroad. We are looking forward to working with these museums to give people a unique, up-close and personal experience with a B-29 Superfortress.” See Yanks fb event for tickets and information. #planes #warbirds #chino B-29 Doc #WWII #disney
Today we pulled out the P-40 WArhawk, P-47 Thunderbolt, UC-40 Electra Jr, P-63 King Cobra, UC-43 Staggerwing, the Huey and the Cobra for a little cleaning of the flight Hangar. #hangar #chino #airportlife #yanksairmuseum #warbird #planes
Amazing day today watching the B-29 DOC take to the skies! Check out this awesome video taken today by David of "DOC" coming back in from his second flight of the day. Make sure you turn the volume up! Tomorrow is the last day, buy your tickets now! You do not want to miss this experience. https://shop.yanksair.org/collections/admissions/products/yanks-tour-doc-boarding-pass Sunday, September 26, 2021 Schedule *special hours* Museum Open 8am-4pm B-29 DOC Flights will be at 9am & 11am B-29 DOC Tours will begin approx around 1pm Video Credit: David Valenzuela #yanksairmuseum #airmuseum #avaitionmuseum #inlandempire #chino #chinoairport #docsfriends #b29 #superfortress #boeing #warbirds #keepemflying #wherethelegendsliveon #WWII
Yanks' P-63 King Cobra "Fatal Fang" has completed its first engine run since 1979. Air Show 2021...here we come! #yanksairmuseum #airmuseum #aviationmuseum #chinoairport #chino #inlandempire #warbirds #WWII #P63 #Kingcobra #Fatalfang #wherethelegendsliveon #restoration #restoredwithlove #airshow #cooljob #thegreatestgeneration #warbirdlife #thankavet #america
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