Oakland Aviation Museum

(Redirected from Western Aerospace Museum)

Oakland Aviation Museum, formerly called Western Aerospace Museum, in an aviation museum located at North Field of Oakland International Airport in Oakland, California. It has over 30 vintage and modern airplanes, both civilian and military, and other displays that highlight noted aviators and innovators.

Oakland Aviation Museum
A BT-13 in front of the museum
Oakland Aviation Museum is located in California
Oakland Aviation Museum
Location within California
Former name
Western Aerospace Museum
Established1980 (1980)
LocationOakland, California
Coordinates37°43′59.16″N 122°12′45.77″W / 37.7331000°N 122.2127139°W / 37.7331000; -122.2127139
TypeAviation museum
FounderRon Reuther
Nearest parkingOn site
Websitewww.oaklandaviationmuseum.org

History

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The museum was established in 1980 by Ron Reuther and opened in 1986 in a room inside Hangar 5 at Oakland International Airport.[1]

A Short Solent was moved to the museum in 1987.[2] The following year, the museum moved to Building 621, the former Boeing School of Aeronautics, which was built in 1940.[1] Then, in 1989, the museum received a Lockheed Electra.[3]

The museum began a project to make its Short Solent airworthy in 1992.[4]

The museum announced it would expand to Hangar 41 at the former Naval Air Station Alameda in 1998.[5]

Collection

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Aircraft

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Short Solent Mark III at the Oakland Aviation Museum

Engines

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Pratt & Whitney TF30-414A Turbofan at the Oakland Aviation Museum

Other

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Exhibits

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The museum contains several galleries with exhibits, some of which emphasize the role Oakland and surrounding areas have played in the history of aviation.[8] These include an aircraft engine room, the Eighth Air Force, Jimmy Doolittle, United States naval aviation, the Tuskegee Airmen, women in aviation, Transocean Air Lines, World Airways and Trans International Airlines.[9]

Events

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The museum hosts a number of special events including open cockpit days.[10]

Programs

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The museum previously hosted a Summer Flight Academy for teenagers.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "AboutUs". Oakland Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on 27 October 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  2. ^ Spencer, Richard (13 August 1987). "Flying Boat is Barged to Oakland". The Tribune. p. A-17. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  3. ^ Ronningen, Judy (17 January 1989). "Twin of Earhart's Plane Wings Into Airport Museum". The Tribune. p. A-5. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  4. ^ Clifford, James O. (12 March 1992). "Museum has Dreams for Flying Boat". Chico Enterprise-Record. Associated Press. p. 7C. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  5. ^ Zane, Maitland (19 February 1998). "Museum to Spread Its Wings". Santa Maria Times. p. C-6. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Static Display Aircraft". Oakland Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d "Engine Room". Oakland Aviation Museum. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  8. ^ Hill, Angela (February 1, 2015). "Still flying high". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Oakland Tribune. pp. G1, G4 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Exhibits". Oakland Aviation Museum. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Open Cockpit Days". Oakland Aviation Museum. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  11. ^ Fulbright, Leslie (13 August 1999). "Summer Program Lets Teens Soar". Napa Valley Register. pp. 1D–2D. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
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