Author Archives: John D Reinhart

Mojave Air Museum Legacy Park Image Gallery

Museum visit review Museum Video Home

Grumman F-14 Tomcat

The variable-geometry F-14 Tomcat first left the ground in December of 1970, and served all the way through to September of 2006. The big fighter took it’s first tour aboard the USS Enterprise in 1974, replacing the wing of aging F-4 Phantoms. The twin-engine, supersonic, two seat carrier fighter was a natural match for theContinue reading “Grumman F-14 Tomcat”

Saab S-35 Draken

Imagine a dogfight where a Soviet MIG 17 pilot has the six of a Swedish Saab S35 Draken, his jet fighter directly behind the Swedish plane, looking right down the tailpipe, ready to launch a missile. There’s nothing the Draken pilot can do – no matter which way he turns, the MIG is right behindContinue reading “Saab S-35 Draken”

North American PBJ Maritime Patrol Bomber

The PBJ-1J “Mitchell” flew into Camarillo from Midland, Texas in April, 1993. After inspection, the aircraft was put into our long restoration process, and at the conclusion this “Mitchell” is as brand-new as it was when it came off the assembly line. The B-25 Mitchell is painted in the colors of a Marine Corps PBJ-1J, named “Semper Fi”Continue reading “North American PBJ Maritime Patrol Bomber”

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II first took to the skies in 1959. Right off the runway, it set 15 world records, including absolute speed and absolute altitude. The big, twin-engine fighter’s history is inextricably linked with the Vietnam War, in which it played a critical role for the United States Air Force, Marine Corps,Continue reading “McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II”

Curtiss C-46-Commando

The history of the C-46F “China Doll” is typical of post-WWII surplus transport aircraft. “China Doll” was one of 234 C-46Fs built at the Curtiss plant in Buffalo NY. She rolled off the assembly line and was accepted in July 1945, with Curtiss Construction No 22486 and AAF serial No 44-78663. Records indicate that earlyContinue reading “Curtiss C-46-Commando”

Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing

The Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is nestled against the south side of the Camarillo Airport, just west of the Santa Monica Mountains in Camarillo. It’s a sprawling complex of hangars jam-packed with World War II aircraft. And they are beautiful examples of airplanes from both sides of the conflict. You’ll findContinue reading “Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing”

Mojave Air Museum Legacy Park

Just off of the 14 Freeway, near where the 58 crosses it, you’ll find the Mojave Air Museum Legacy Park. It’s not a huge museum by any means, but has an easy charm that makes it a must-see if you’re on your way up to Bishop, or heading out to Las Vegas. Actually, there areContinue reading “Mojave Air Museum Legacy Park”

Point Mugu Missile Park

Naval Air Road, Port Hueneme, CA This free air and space museum is easy to find, easy to get to, easy to get in and out of, and, well, genuinely easy. The museum is quite small, containing just three aircraft and a fascinating assortment of air-to-air, air-to-surface, and surface-to-air missiles. The three aircraft are quiteContinue reading “Point Mugu Missile Park”