Lyon air museum at John Wayne airport was having a "history on the flightline day" which unfortunately was rained out.

Models and medals.




"LCDR" McCain went on to become Senator McCain from Arizona and one-time presidential candidate.


The "Red Baron" led WWI aces with 80 kills, and was killed in action by one round from a ground-based machine gun.


Eddie Rickenbacker led the US aces with 26 kills, and later was into auto racing and headed Eastern Airlines.


Rene Fonck led the Allies with 75 confirmed kills, and survived the war.


French ace Charles Nungesser and friend Francois Coli disappeared, possibly in Newfoundland, while attempting an East-West Atlantic crossing just two weeks before Lindbergh's successful solo flight in 1927.




"My continued sympathy..."


The Norden bombsight had a canonical tachometric design, allowing it to directly measure the aircraft's ground speed and direction and improved on older designs by using an analog computer that constantly calculated the bomb's impact point based on current flight conditions, and an autopilot that let it react quickly and accurately to changes in the wind or other effects.






Gun camera.




Actor James Stewart was one of the earliest big names in uniform.


Famous Eisenstaedt "VE Day" photo.


The museum opened up the DC-3 (it started life as a C-47, and flew in WWII).




There is a small theater.


Famous words.


Hitler's Mercedes parade vehicle.


There is a small regular collection of vehicles. Sometimes there are special exhibits, such as Packards.


Actor Steve McQueen's Panther.


Tommy Dorsey and his band had 286 Billboard chart hits, including 17 which reached #1.


The reenactors discussed gear and tactics.






"Fuddy Duddy" is one of the few flyable B-17 Flying Fortress bombers.

[eaglem]

An excellent intersting and informative series of shots.

[KiloHotelphoto]

I got a picture of the American Airlines DC-3 in Philly back in 2007. I guess it's flying days are over.

[SpecialK]

An excellent intersting and informative series of shots.

Thanks, and thanks for looking!

I got a picture of the American Airlines DC-3 in Philly back in 2007. I guess it's flying days are over.

I think all the museum's planes are flyable. I recall seeing Col. Lyon's B-25, and Fuddy Duddy out and about.

[KiloHotelphoto]

I love seeing the old stuff flying. Every June at a small airport by me they have a WWII weekend and you can go up in some of the planes. They always have a couple B-17's P-51's and a few more aircraft, a couple years ago Fifi the B-29 was there giving rides. It's exspensive, about $450 for a half hour on a bomber and over a thousand for a P-51 ride. I always want to go up in a B-17, maybe this year I will spend the money. Would love to get some pics from the ball turet if I could.

[SpecialK]

I always want to go up in a B-17, maybe this year I will spend the money. Would love to get some pics from the ball turet if I could.

B-25 @ $425. Very noisy - notice everyone's earmuffs.



You climb over this to get from front to rear.


This is how you get to the nose.

[KiloHotelphoto]

Those are great shots, I'm sure it's something you will never forget and worth the money. I should just put my tax return away and do it this June.

What size lens did you use for the shots inside?

[SpecialK]

Those are great shots, I'm sure it's something you will never forget and worth the money. I should just put my tax return away and do it this June.

What size lens did you use for the shots inside?

They are all with the 10-17 fisheye. I only took that - bags were not allowed.

Front.


Rear.

[Blacknight659]

B-25 @ $425. Very noisy - notice everyone's earmuffs.



You climb over this to get from front to rear.


This is how you get to the nose.

Was it $425 per person? Where was this located?

[gjtoth]

What great series! My father-in-law used to be an instructor in the use of the Norden bomb sights.

[SpecialK]

Was it $425 per person? Where was this located?

Yes, per person. It was a way to raise money for the organization. This was at an airshow in Camarillo, CA, which is the home of the So Cal wing of the Commemorative Air Force.
https://www.cafsocal.com/museum/
.

What great series! My father-in-law used to be an instructor in the use of the Norden bomb sights.

The Norden was in the top few of the really important developments of WWII.

[Bob Harris]

great subject matter and photos are great, nice to be back on PF to follow your travels.

[Kerrowdown]

Lyon air museum

Certainly looks to be great place to visit, thank you for sharing your trip with us all.