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Our T-6 smoke test went so well yesterday! It was

Our T-6 smoke test went so well yesterday! It was great watching Ryan fly her, but here’s a close up look easier to share with you all too. Is there anything more musical to your ears?

Don't forget! Our contest continues this week. If

Don't forget! Our contest continues this week. If you want to have a say in the new nose art for our freshly restored Norseman, email your art to casey@yanksair.org, and we'll put our fave 3 back up here for everyone to vote on.*

We've heard a lot of brilliant ideas from many fans who seem hesitant to try their hand at drawing, painting, or graphic design themselves, and we cannot recommend enough bringing those brilliant ideas to an artist who takes commissions. We want to see what's in your head come to life too!

Remember, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a say in a museum exhibit for years to come. Plus, this is now one of our fully operational restorations too, where your vision can come to life in the sky.

🎨 Tag your favorite artist friend in the comments! 😉

*Submitting your art for consideration hereby grants the right for Yanks Air Museum to use, reproduce, and distribute the work for any purpose with no compensation in perpetuity.

Step into aviation history at Yanks Air Museum in

Step into aviation history at Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California! ✈️🇺🇸

From the pioneering days of flight to iconic World War II aircraft and modern jets, Yanks Air Museum showcases one of the most impressive collections of restored American aircraft in the country. Explore historic hangars, marvel at rare aviation treasures, and experience the stories that shaped our skies.
Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, history buff, or looking for a unique family adventure, this is a destination you won’t want to miss.

📍 Chino, CA
🕙 Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM

Come discover where aviation legends live on!

#YanksAirMuseum #AviationHistory #airmuseum #AircraftMuseum #aviation_lovers

Army, Navy, or Air Force? 🤔

Army, Navy, or Air Force? 🤔

With the Battle of Midway having ended on June 7th

With the Battle of Midway having ended on June 7th, 1942, we thought we'd do a deep dive into the dive bomber star herself:

Few aircraft earned a reputation in combat quite like the Douglas SBD Dauntless. Though often overshadowed by fighters such as the F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat, the SBD became one of the most decisive naval aircraft of World War II and played a central role in turning the tide of the Pacific War.

Developed as a carrier-based scout and dive bomber, the Dauntless combined rugged construction, excellent dive-bombing accuracy, and dependable handling characteristics. Its perforated dive brakes allowed pilots to make steep, controlled attack runs, while its bomb delivery system enabled large centerline bombs to clear the propeller arc during release. These features helped make the SBD one of the most effective precision strike aircraft of its era.

The Battle of Midway in June 1942 was in fact where the Dauntless achieved its greatest fame. In a matter of minutes, SBD crews crippled or destroyed multiple Japanese fleet carriers, helping shift the balance of naval power in the Pacific right around this time of year. Throughout the war, the type sank more enemy shipping than any other Allied aircraft in the Pacific Theater and served from carrier decks and forward island airfields across the region.

Our own SBD-4 Dauntless at Yanks Air Museum carries a remarkable history of its own. Bureau Number 10518 is a Pacific Theater combat veteran and survives today thanks to decades of preservation and restoration work. During its restoration, wings recovered from Guadalcanal were incorporated into the aircraft, directly linking it to one of the most important campaigns of the Pacific War. Today, it remains one of the relatively few surviving SBD-4s and stands as a tribute to the pilots, radiomen, and gunners who flew these aircraft in some of the most consequential air battles in history.

📷 credit of first two photos: @paddybphotography

Step aboard one of the most iconic aircraft of Wor

Step aboard one of the most iconic aircraft of World War II.

This C-47A “Gooney Bird” was built in 1943 and represents the aircraft that helped change the course of history. Painted with the famous black-and-white invasion stripes used during D-Day, these aircraft carried paratroopers into Normandy, transported supplies across continents, and served as the backbone of Allied operations around the world.

Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney radial engines and built with legendary durability, the C-47 became one of the most trusted aircraft ever flown—and many are still flying more than 80 years later.

Inside, you’ll find the static line system used by paratroopers before their jump into battle, the original radio compartment that guided crews across dangerous missions, and the cockpit where pilots flew through some of the most challenging conditions of the war.

As we remember the heroes of D-Day, we honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of the men and women who helped secure freedom for future generations.

🇺🇸 Thank you for your service. We remember. We honor. We will never forget.

✈️ Follow Yanks Air Museum for more behind-the-scenes access to historic aircraft and upcoming open cockpit experiences.

#dday #aviationhistory #yanksairmuseum #airmuseum #c47skytrain

📅 June 6, 1944 — D-Day Today we remember the cour

📅 June 6, 1944 — D-Day

Today we remember the courage, sacrifice, and determination of the Allied servicemen and women who participated in Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious invasion in history.

While the landings on the beaches of Normandy are often the focus of D-Day remembrance, the operation's success depended heavily on air power. In the hours before dawn, thousands of Allied aircraft filled the skies over France. C-47 Skytrains carried paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions into occupied territory, while glider pilots delivered troops, vehicles, and supplies behind enemy lines. Fighters such as the P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt, and Spitfire flew escort, patrol, and ground attack missions, helping secure air superiority over the invasion force.

Above the beaches, medium and heavy bombers—including B-26 Marauders, B-24 Liberators, and B-17 Flying Fortresses—struck transportation networks, coastal defenses, and strategic targets in support of the landings. By D-Day, Allied air forces had achieved a level of dominance that severely limited the ability of German forces to respond to the invasion.

The story of D-Day is not solely one of aircraft, ships, or armies. It is the story of countless individuals—pilots, aircrew, paratroopers, sailors, soldiers, mechanics, engineers, medics, and support personnel—who worked together in one of history's most complex military operations. Their efforts helped begin the liberation of Western Europe and ultimately hastened the end of World War II.

Today, we honor all who served on June 6, 1944, and remember the extraordinary courage displayed on the ground, at sea, and in the skies above Normandy.

P-51 📸 credit: @paddybphotography

Don't forget! Tomorrow is our Open Cockpit of the

Don't forget! Tomorrow is our Open Cockpit of the Skytrain Event! If you want to see inside this beauty, make sure to arrive at our museum between 10 AM and 2 PM tomorrow. Take a tour around and inside, and imagine what life must have been like assigned to one back in WWII. Then reflect over all you've learned with a nice cup at Ark Coffee... before you get back into the rest of the museum!

What started in an AOL flight simulator nearly thr

What started in an AOL flight simulator nearly three decades ago turned into a lifelong friendship built around a shared passion for aviation.

Phil from Michigan and Richard from California spent years talking airplanes, history, and warbirds online before finally meeting face-to-face at Yanks Air Museum. Surrounded by legendary aircraft, rare aviation artifacts, and stories that span generations, they discovered that their friendship was every bit as real in person as it had been online.

For aviation enthusiasts, Yanks Air Museum is the kind of place that keeps you coming back. Whether it’s seeing a P-38 Lightning for the first time, standing in front of the famous Norseman associated with Glenn Miller’s disappearance, or diving deep into the details of aircraft most people have never heard of, there’s something here for every level of aviation fan.
But perhaps the best part is the memories you create. Museums like this inspire future pilots, historians, engineers, and aviation enthusiasts while giving families a chance to bond over something truly special.

✈️ Aviation fans: what’s the one aircraft you’ve always wanted to see in person?

✈️ Have you visited Yanks Air Museum? What was your favorite aircraft in the collection?

✈️ Tag a friend you’d bring with you and share this with a fellow aviation enthusiast.

And to all veterans who served our country, thank you for your service and sacrifice. 🇺🇸 We’d love to hear from you—where did you serve, and what aircraft or military equipment holds a special place in your memories?

Your stories help preserve history for the next generation.

#yanksairmuseum #aviationenthusiast #aviationenthusiasts #aviationhistory #aviationnerd

📅 On This Day in Aviation History — We're going to

📅 On This Day in Aviation History — We're going to #ThrowbackThursday all the way to June 4, 1942.

On that day, the Battle of Midway reached its critical moment, in what became one of the most significant air battles ever fought.

The day belonged to the aircraft and crews operating from American carriers and Midway Atoll against the Japanese carrier force. American SBD Dauntless dive bombers from Enterprise and Yorktown located and attacked the Japanese carriers, delivering devastating strikes that crippled Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu within minutes. The Dauntless, often overshadowed by more famous fighters, proved its effectiveness with pinpoint dive-bombing attacks that changed the course of the war.

The only operational Japanese carrier remaining, Hiryu, launched waves of aircraft in response. Aichi D3A "Val" dive bombers and Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers successfully attacked USS Yorktown, leaving the American carrier heavily damaged. Later that afternoon, however, additional Dauntless crews found Hiryu and scored multiple bomb hits, setting the carrier ablaze and eliminating the last operational Japanese flight deck at Midway.

What makes Midway remarkable is that the decisive blows were delivered almost entirely by carrier-based aircraft. Fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers operating hundreds of miles from their ships determined the outcome of the battle. The success of aircraft such as the SBD Dauntless demonstrated that air power—not battleship guns—had become the dominant force in naval warfare.

By the end of the battle, Japan had lost four fleet carriers, hundreds of aircraft, and many of its most experienced aviators. Midway stands as a defining moment in aviation history, where the skill of aircrews and the capabilities of their aircraft fundamentally altered the course of World War II in the Pacific.

✈️ The End of an Era—and the Beginning of a Revolu

✈️ The End of an Era—and the Beginning of a Revolution

Today, the U.S. Marine Corps will retire the last operational Harrier, closing more than four decades of service for one of the most unique combat aircraft ever fielded. From amphibious assault ships to austere forward operating bases, the Harrier's ability to take off in short distances and land vertically gave Marine aviators a capability unlike any other fixed-wing aircraft.

At Yanks Air Museum, our Harrier represents the first generation of that legendary "Jump Jet" family, originally coming from the RAF, the first ever service to use the Harrier. Developed during the 1960s, the Harrier became the world's first truly successful operational V/STOL (Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing) combat aircraft, proving that a jet fighter could operate from locations far beyond traditional runways.

The U.S. Marine Corps embraced the concept early as well, becoming the first American service to operate the Harrier. Beginning in the 1970s, Harrier squadrons demonstrated how expeditionary air power could be brought closer to the battlefield, a philosophy that would define Marine aviation for generations.

As one Harrier makes a final flight for all of them today, we're reminded that the aircraft's legacy extends far beyond its combat record. The Harrier changed how military planners thought about air power, and its influence can still be seen today in aircraft like the F-35B Lightning II.

Happy June! It's the second day of the month, and

Happy June! It's the second day of the month, and we're already thinking of Father's Day gifts. What would your dad love most from our gift shop?

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Our T-6 smoke test went so well yesterday! It was

Our T-6 smoke test went so well yesterday! It was great watching Ryan fly her, but here’s a close up look easier to share with you all too. Is there anything more musical to your ears?

Don't forget! Our contest continues this week. If

Don't forget! Our contest continues this week. If you want to have a say in the new nose art for our freshly restored Norseman, email your art to casey@yanksair.org, and we'll put our fave 3 back up here for everyone to vote on.*

We've heard a lot of brilliant ideas from many fans who seem hesitant to try their hand at drawing, painting, or graphic design themselves, and we cannot recommend enough bringing those brilliant ideas to an artist who takes commissions. We want to see what's in your head come to life too!

Remember, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a say in a museum exhibit for years to come. Plus, this is now one of our fully operational restorations too, where your vision can come to life in the sky.

🎨 Tag your favorite artist friend in the comments! 😉

*Submitting your art for consideration hereby grants the right for Yanks Air Museum to use, reproduce, and distribute the work for any purpose with no compensation in perpetuity.

Step into aviation history at Yanks Air Museum in

Step into aviation history at Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California! ✈️🇺🇸

From the pioneering days of flight to iconic World War II aircraft and modern jets, Yanks Air Museum showcases one of the most impressive collections of restored American aircraft in the country. Explore historic hangars, marvel at rare aviation treasures, and experience the stories that shaped our skies.
Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, history buff, or looking for a unique family adventure, this is a destination you won’t want to miss.

📍 Chino, CA
🕙 Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM

Come discover where aviation legends live on!

#YanksAirMuseum #AviationHistory #airmuseum #AircraftMuseum #aviation_lovers

Army, Navy, or Air Force? 🤔

Army, Navy, or Air Force? 🤔

With the Battle of Midway having ended on June 7th

With the Battle of Midway having ended on June 7th, 1942, we thought we'd do a deep dive into the dive bomber star herself:

Few aircraft earned a reputation in combat quite like the Douglas SBD Dauntless. Though often overshadowed by fighters such as the F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat, the SBD became one of the most decisive naval aircraft of World War II and played a central role in turning the tide of the Pacific War.

Developed as a carrier-based scout and dive bomber, the Dauntless combined rugged construction, excellent dive-bombing accuracy, and dependable handling characteristics. Its perforated dive brakes allowed pilots to make steep, controlled attack runs, while its bomb delivery system enabled large centerline bombs to clear the propeller arc during release. These features helped make the SBD one of the most effective precision strike aircraft of its era.

The Battle of Midway in June 1942 was in fact where the Dauntless achieved its greatest fame. In a matter of minutes, SBD crews crippled or destroyed multiple Japanese fleet carriers, helping shift the balance of naval power in the Pacific right around this time of year. Throughout the war, the type sank more enemy shipping than any other Allied aircraft in the Pacific Theater and served from carrier decks and forward island airfields across the region.

Our own SBD-4 Dauntless at Yanks Air Museum carries a remarkable history of its own. Bureau Number 10518 is a Pacific Theater combat veteran and survives today thanks to decades of preservation and restoration work. During its restoration, wings recovered from Guadalcanal were incorporated into the aircraft, directly linking it to one of the most important campaigns of the Pacific War. Today, it remains one of the relatively few surviving SBD-4s and stands as a tribute to the pilots, radiomen, and gunners who flew these aircraft in some of the most consequential air battles in history.

📷 credit of first two photos: @paddybphotography

Step aboard one of the most iconic aircraft of Wor

Step aboard one of the most iconic aircraft of World War II.

This C-47A “Gooney Bird” was built in 1943 and represents the aircraft that helped change the course of history. Painted with the famous black-and-white invasion stripes used during D-Day, these aircraft carried paratroopers into Normandy, transported supplies across continents, and served as the backbone of Allied operations around the world.

Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney radial engines and built with legendary durability, the C-47 became one of the most trusted aircraft ever flown—and many are still flying more than 80 years later.

Inside, you’ll find the static line system used by paratroopers before their jump into battle, the original radio compartment that guided crews across dangerous missions, and the cockpit where pilots flew through some of the most challenging conditions of the war.

As we remember the heroes of D-Day, we honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of the men and women who helped secure freedom for future generations.

🇺🇸 Thank you for your service. We remember. We honor. We will never forget.

✈️ Follow Yanks Air Museum for more behind-the-scenes access to historic aircraft and upcoming open cockpit experiences.

#dday #aviationhistory #yanksairmuseum #airmuseum #c47skytrain

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10:00am–4:00pm, Tuesday thru Saturday

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15121 Stearman Drive, Chino, CA 91710

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