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Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}

{{Infobox museum

| name = Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

| logo = Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum Logo.jpg

| image = Outdoor_exhibit_aircraft_looking_northwest.jpeg

| map_type = California

| map_caption = Location in California

| coordinates = {{coord|32|53|28|N|117|8|21|W|type:landmark_region:US_dim:230|display=title, inline}}

| former_name = {{Unbulleted list|El Toro Historical Center and Command Museum|Jay W. Hubbard Aviation Museum}}

| established = {{start date|1989|df=y}}

| location = 4203 Anderson Avenue
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
San Diego, California
United States

| type = Military aviation museum

| visitors =

| founder = Brig. Gen. Jay W. Hubbard{{cite news |last1=Reza |first1=H. G. |title=Jay W. Hubbard, 80; Marine Pilot, Builder |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/190325499 |access-date=11 December 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=18 January 2003 |page=B13}}

| president = Brigadier General Michael J. Aguilar, USMC (Ret.)

| ceo =

| curator = Steve Smith{{cite web|title=Board Of Directors|url=http://www.flyingleathernecks.org/about-us/board-of-directors|website=Flying Leathernecks|date=3 April 2017 |publisher=Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation|accessdate=21 August 2017}}

| publictransit =

| website = {{URL|http://flyingleathernecks.org}}

}}

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is a United States Marine Corps aviation museum currently located at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California. The museum contains exhibits and artifacts relating to the history and legacy of United States Marine Corps Aviation. The outdoor exhibits include 31 historical aircraft, multiple military vehicles and equipment. Indoor exhibits feature photographs, artifacts and artwork from the early days of aviation to the present.{{cite web|url=https://www.flyingleathernecks.org/about-the-flying-leatherneck-museum/ |website=Flying Leathernecks |title=About The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum |publisher=Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation |accessdate=14 April 2018}}

History

The El Toro Historical Center and Command Museum opened to the public in June 1991 in a squadron aviation building at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.{{cite news |last1=Frank |first1=George |title=Marines Capture Past |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/177285310 |access-date=11 December 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=6 January 1992 |pages=B1, B5}}{{cite news |last1=Hicks |first1=Jerry |title=Base Museum Salutes El Toro's Role in County History |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/158952494 |access-date=11 December 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=15 August 1995 |pages=B1, B6}} By 1998, the name of the museum had changed to the Jay W. Hubbard Command Museum.{{cite news |last1=Reza |first1=H. G. |title=Corps Values |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/159076925 |access-date=11 December 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=28 February 1998 |pages=B1, B4}}

=Move to Miramar=

When MCAS El Toro closed in 1999, the museum again changed its name to the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum and moved to Naval Air Station Miramar.{{cite news |last1=Hicks |first1=Jerry |title=Departure Leaves Hole in County's Heart |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/161276885 |access-date=11 December 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=30 June 1999 |page=V3}}{{cite news |last1=Grad |first1=Shelby |title=To Some, El Toro's Future Can't Compare to Past |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/158814296 |access-date=11 December 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=22 July 1996 |page=B3}}{{efn|At the same time, the MCAS El Toro Historical Foundation was replaced by the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation.{{citation |title="Here's the Rest of the Story" |url=http://issuu.com/adminhlm/docs/log_book_summer_2020_1_ |periodical=Log Book |page=7 |accessdate=12 December 2022 |date=Summer–Fall 2020}}}} The museum's 41 aircraft were loaded onto trailers and towed down highways to the museum's new location, where it reopened on 25 May 2000.{{cite news |last1=Meyer |first1=J. Stryker |title=Marines Dedicate Leatherneck Aviation Museum |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/577508161 |access-date=12 December 2022 |work=North County Times |date=26 May 2000 |pages=B-1, B-5}}{{cite magazine |last=Laubach |first=Patricia |title=Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum |magazine=San Diego Veterans' Magazine |date=May 2019 |pages=18–21 |url=http://issuu.com/adminhlm/docs/san_diego_veterans_magazine_may_201 |accessdate=12 December 2022}} There it had a {{convert|27,000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} restoration hangar.{{cite news|last1=Luke|first1=Steven|title=Stepping Inside the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Stepping_Inside_the_Flying_Leatherneck_Aviation_Museum_San_Diego-168238986.html|accessdate=21 August 2017|work=NBC 7 San Diego|publisher=NBCUniversal Media, LLC.|date=31 August 2012}} In 2002, the museum announced plans to construct a {{convert|30,000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} building to display its collection. At the same time, however, increased security on the base after the September 11th attacks made it more difficult for civilians to visit.{{cite news |last1=Fuentes |first1=Gidget |title=Marine Flight Museum in Works |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/577947729 |access-date=12 December 2022 |work=North County Times |date=4 July 2002 |pages=B-1, B-2, B-8}}

Separately, plans for a museum at El Toro began in 2008.{{cite news |last1=Reyes |first1=David |title=Base Jetsam is Prized |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/194238590 |access-date=12 December 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=21 March 2007 |page=B4}}{{cite news |last1=Barboza |first1=Tony |title=Park's Museum Will be a Nod to El Toro's History |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/193830447 |access-date=12 December 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=31 January 2008 |page=B4}}

The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation was formed to support the museum's efforts and to provide interpretive programs to educate the public on the history and legacy of Marine Corps aviation.{{Cite web |date=2017-08-03 |title=Education Programs {{!}} Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation - Aviation Museum |url=https://flyingleathernecks.org/education/ |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=flyingleathernecks.org |language=en-US}} These include tours for school field trips, STEM education, the Marine Spouse Award, and annual student essay and art contests.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-10 |title=Marine Spouse {{!}} Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation - Aviation Museum |url=https://flyingleathernecks.org/marine-spouse/ |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=flyingleathernecks.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-03-29 |title=Art Contest {{!}} Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation - Aviation Museum |url=https://flyingleathernecks.org/education/art-contest/ |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=flyingleathernecks.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2017-03-02 |title=Student Essay Contest {{!}} Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation - Aviation Museum |url=https://flyingleathernecks.org/education/essay-contest/ |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=flyingleathernecks.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation - GuideStar Profile |url=https://www.guidestar.org/profile/33-0345440 |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=www.guidestar.org}}

=Return to El Toro=

In 2021, the Marine Corps announced that it would be permanently closing the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum and transferring the aircraft to other museums.{{cite news |last1=Saunders |first1=Mark |title=MCAS Miramar Flying Leatherneck Museum to close permanently |url=http://www.10news.com/news/local-news/san-diego-news/mcas-miramar-flying-leatherneck-museum-to-close-permanently |access-date=24 February 2021 |work=10 News San Diego |date=23 February 2021}} Subsequently, museum supporters began a campaign to move the museum to a new location.{{cite news |last1=Dyer |first1=Andrew |title=Backers fight to save Marines' Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum ahead of April 1 closure |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/military/story/2021-03-18/flying-leatherneck-aviation-museum-closure |access-date=6 January 2022 |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |date=18 March 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Alicia |title=Marine Corps air museum could be coming to Irvine's Great Park |url=http://www.ocregister.com/2021/06/21/marine-corps-air-museum-could-be-coming-to-irvines-great-park |access-date=6 January 2022 |work=Orange County Register |date=21 June 2021}}

The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation began discussions with the City of Irvine about a possible relocation of the museum back to the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.{{cite web |title=Flying Leathernecks Aviation Museum |url=http://www.cityofirvine.org/orange-county-great-park/flying-leathernecks-aviation-museum |website=City of Irvine |date=14 June 2021 |access-date=6 January 2022}} The museum would become part of a planned Cultural Terrace at the former air station, now renamed Orange County Great Park.{{cite web |title=Planning & Future Development |url=http://www.cityofirvine.org/great-park/planning-future-development |website=City of Irvine |date=3 June 2019 |access-date=6 January 2022}} In December, the museum announced that an agreement had been reached to move the aircraft to the abandoned Marine Aircraft Group 46 hangars.{{cite web |title=Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum Finds New Home |url=http://warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/flying-leatherneck-aviation-museum-finds-new-home-ready.html |website=Warbirds News |access-date=6 January 2022 |date=31 December 2021}} By March of the following year, aircraft on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum were being disassembled in preparation for moves to other museums.{{cite news |last1=McIntosh |first1=Linda |title=Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, and its dozens of restored aircraft, moving from S.D. to Irvine |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/north-county-community-news/story/2022-03-18/flying-leatherneck-aviation-museum-and-its-dozens-of-restored-aircraft-moving-to-irvine |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |date=18 March 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Kime |first1=Patricia |title=Marine Corps Flying Leatherneck Museum to Reopen at Former El Toro Base |url=http://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/03/22/marine-corps-flying-leatherneck-museum-reopen-former-el-toro-base.html |website=Military.com |access-date=27 March 2022 |date=22 March 2022}} Plans and fundraising are currently underway to move the rest of the aircraft to the new location in Great Park, Irvine, California.{{cite web |last1=Aguilar |first1=M. J. |title=President's Update-October 2022 |url=http://www.flyingleathernecks.org/news/presidents-update-october-2022 |website=Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation |access-date=11 December 2022 |date=3 October 2022}} The museum began moving aircraft to the new location in the {{convert|215,000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} Hangar 296 in March 2024.{{cite news |last1=Ritchie |first1=Erika I. |title=First Military Aircraft Make Journey to New Home in OC at Great Park |url=http://www.ocregister.com/2024/03/06/first-military-aircraft-make-journey-to-new-home-in-oc-at-great-park |access-date=20 March 2024 |work=Orange County Register |date=6 March 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Langhorne |first1=Daniel |title=Irvine Invites Marine Aviation Museum to Return to El Toro |url=http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/story/2021-05-26/irvine-invites-marine-aviation-museum-to-return-to-el-toro |access-date=27 June 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=28 May 2021}}

The museum received a copy of 525 oral histories from California State University, Fullerton of individuals connected to El Toro in February 2025.{{cite web |last1=Ramos |first1=Debra Cano |title=CSUF Partners With Marine Aviation Museum to Bring El Toro Oral Histories to Life |url=http://news.fullerton.edu/2025/02/csuf-partners-with-marine-aviation-museum-to-bring-el-toro-oral-histories-to-life |website=Cal State Fullerton |access-date=26 April 2025 |date=12 February 2025}}

Collection

=Aircraft on display=

File:The last production A-4 Skyhawk on display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in July 2012.jpg

File:F9F-8P Cougar.jpg

File:HUP-2 Retriever.jpg

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{{Div col end}}

=Other exhibits=

File:M927 UAV Launch Truck.jpg

=In storage=

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=MCAS Miramar Post Exchange=

The following items, being located away from the museum complex, are available only to visitors who have access to the post exchange.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}

=Formerly on Display=

The following items were at one time displayed at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum but have since moved on to other collections.

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See also

References

=Footnotes=

{{Notelist}}

=Notes=

{{Reflist}}

=Bibliography=

{{Refbegin}}

  • {{cite news |last1=Hicks |first1=Jerry |title=Throughout Life, El Toro has Been His Base |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/160027699 |access-date=12 December 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=4 August 1998 |pages=B1, B4}}

{{Refend}}

External links

{{commons category}}

  • [http://www.flyingleathernecks.org Official website]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20080313171414/http://www.miramar.usmc.mil/home.htm Marine Corps Air Station Miramar]

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Category:Aerospace museums in California

Category:Marine Corps museums in the United States

Category:Military and war museums in California

Category:Museums in San Diego

Category:United States Marine Corps aviation

United States Marine Corps pilots of World War II