Login
Login

Oakland Aviation Museum

{{Short description|Museum in Oakland, California, US}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox museum

| name = Oakland Aviation Museum

| logo =

| image = BT-13An59842OAMdec08 (4418612013).jpg

| alt =

| caption = A BT-13 in front of the museum

| map_type = California

| coordinates = {{coord|37|43|59.16|N|122|12|45.77|W|display=inline,title}}

| former_name = Western Aerospace Museum

| established = {{start date|1980|df=y}}

| dissolved =

| location = Oakland, California

| type = Aviation museum

| founder = Ron Reuther

| director =

| president =

| curator =

| parking = On site

| website = {{URL|http://www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org}}

}}

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.

History

The museum was established in 1980 by Ron Reuther and opened in 1986 in a room inside Hangar 5 at Oakland International Airport.{{cite web |title=AboutUs |url=http://www.westernaerospacemuseum.org/about/aboutus.html |website=Oakland Aviation Museum |access-date=13 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027231515/http://www.westernaerospacemuseum.org/about/aboutus.html |archive-date=27 October 2008}}

A Short Solent was moved to the museum in 1987.{{cite news |last1=Spencer |first1=Richard |title=Flying Boat is Barged to Oakland |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/758496973 |access-date=13 August 2024 |work=The Tribune |date=13 August 1987 |page=A-17}} The following year, the museum moved to Building 621, the former Boeing School of Aeronautics, which was built in 1940. Then, in 1989, the museum received a Lockheed Electra.{{cite news |last1=Ronningen |first1=Judy |title=Twin of Earhart's Plane Wings Into Airport Museum |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/779375035 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=The Tribune |date=17 January 1989 |page=A-5}}

The museum began a project to make its Short Solent airworthy in 1992.{{cite news |last1=Clifford |first1=James O. |title=Museum has Dreams for Flying Boat |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/927925169 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=Chico Enterprise-Record |agency=Associated Press |date=12 March 1992 |page=7C}}

The museum announced it would expand to Hangar 41 at the former Naval Air Station Alameda in 1998.{{cite news |last1=Zane |first1=Maitland |title=Museum to Spread Its Wings |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/446725441 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=Santa Maria Times |date=19 February 1998 |page=C-6}}

Collection

= Aircraft =

File:Short Solent III ‘G-AKNP’ “City of Cardiff” (29954786913).jpg

{{Div col}}

{{Div col end}}

= Engines =

File:Pratt Witney TF30 at Oakland Aviation Museum.jpg

{{Div col}}

{{Div col end}}

= Other =

Exhibits

The museum contains several galleries with exhibits, some of which emphasize the role Oakland and surrounding areas have played in the history of aviation.{{Cite news |last=Hill |first=Angela |date=February 1, 2015 |title=Still flying high |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser-still-flying-hi/129773423/ G1],[https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser-museum-display/129773471/ G4] |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |agency=Oakland Tribune |via=Newspapers.com}} 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.{{cite web |title=Exhibits |url=http://www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org/exhibits |website=Oakland Aviation Museum |access-date=13 August 2024}}

Events

The museum hosts a number of special events including open cockpit days.{{cite web |title=Open Cockpit Days |url=http://www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org/open-cockpit-days |website=Oakland Aviation Museum |access-date=13 August 2024}}

Programs

The museum previously hosted a Summer Flight Academy for teenagers.{{cite news |last1=Fulbright |first1=Leslie |title=Summer Program Lets Teens Soar |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/566991270 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=Napa Valley Register |date=13 August 1999 |pages=1D–2D}}

See also

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

{{Commons category|Oakland Aviation Museum}}

  • {{Official website|http://www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org}}

{{Oakland attractions}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Aerospace museums in California

Category:Museums in Oakland, California

Category:Oakland International Airport