In the last three years I’ve probably visited the Los Angeles area close to 20 times, so there isn’t much (aviation wise) that gets past me about the area. However, I was very surprised to hear about a brand new museum which has recently opened at John Wayne Airport in Orange County. The Lyon Air Museum is the project of Major General William Lyon, USAF (Retd), a Los Angeles native and well known local businessman.
Gen Lyon served in the USAF during WWII, and went on to fly combat missions during the Korean War. He later became the Chief of the Air Force Reserve from 1975-79. Alongside his Air Force career, Maj Gen Lyon established and managed some very successful real estate companies in the SoCal area, later purchasing Martin Air, a fixed base operator at John Wayne Airport. The Lyon Air Museum was established in brand new premises shared with Martin Air and opened in December 2009.
The museum’s collection focuses on WWII, and each of the aircraft on display come from that era. All of the aircraft are airworthy, although some fly more regularly than others. Centrepiece of the collection is the B-17G Flying Fortress “Fuddy Duddy”. This aircraft was delivered in April 1945 and allocated the serial 44-83563. Intended to be issued to the 447th BG, but delivered too late for operations in WWII, it was later converted to a VIP transport aircraft and apparently used to carry Gen Eisenhower over the Pacific on a number of occasions.
After its military service was completed, the aircraft became a fire bomber, but was to feature in two war movies – The War Lover (1962) and Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970). It was later sold into preservation and restored to its original B-17G configuration. It still flies reasonably regularly, and recently attended the Planes of Fame Airshow at Chino.
Continuing the WWII bomber theme, the museum also has a B-25 Mitchell. This aircraft flew patrol missions from Alaska and the Aleutian Islands during the war, and later became a training aircraft for new pilots. It now carries a smart bare metal scheme and bears the name “Guardian of Freedom”.
From the same era comes a very smart A-26 Invader light attack bomber. The aircraft on display has an interesting history, having seen combat with the French Air Force in Indo-China in the 1950s before being sold to the Hughes Tool Company – it is likely that during this time Howard Hughes himself flew the aircraft. It is now restored to represent “Feeding Frenzy”, an A-26B operated by the USAF during the Korean War.
The collection is completed by a pair of Douglas Dakotas – a C-47 and a DC-3. The C-47 is displayed in the D-Day markings carried by the 97th Troop Carrier Squadron. It flew with the USAAF before being passed to the French Air Force in 1945 and subsequently the Israeli Air Force in 1967. During this time it apparently underwent very little modification from its original condition, meaning that when it returned to the US in later life it was one of the most complete and original aircraft in operation.
The other Dakota is displayed as a DC-3, although it is in fact another C-47 which began its career with the USAAF. Operated by the 440th Troop Carrier Group, the aircraft participated in D-Day, dropping paratroops from the 101st Airborne Division over Normandy in the early hours of June 6th 1944.
Post-war the aircraft was operated by a variety of operators, including time spent as a sight-seeing aircraft in Alaska. During this time it was modified with a large window being installed over the wing. The aircraft retains this modification today, but now wears the colours of American Airlines, and carries the appropriate title Flagship Orange County.
In addition to the aircraft on display, there are also plenty of period vehicles and memorabilia. The highlight of these is perhaps an original 1939 Mercedes-Benz Model G4 Offener Touring Wagon, apparently used by Adolf Hitler in Germany and Poland before being captured by the French!
The museum is housed in an extremely modern, state of the art facility which provides a superb visitor experience. Entry is via a raised walkway which offers some very nice photo opportunities and there are plenty of knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions. All the aircraft (and indeed other exhibits) are presented in an impeccable fashion and well laid out.
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