Kim Purcell

San Diego History

Aeronautical Tours from the Past

By Kim Purcell
Posted on Wed, Oct 21st, 2009
Last updated Tue, Oct 20th, 2009

Ready for a fly-by-the-cockpit-seat-of-your-pants good time that involves vintage aircraft, simulated flights and rare World War memorabilia? Have the whole family learn about the history of aeronautics and play aviator for the day on these historical tours that are exclusive to San Diego.

Flying Leathernecks Historical Foundation and Aviation Museum

If you're looking for an "oorah," take off on this free-to-see, one-of-a-kind aviation museum, located off of Miramar Road in Mira Mesa. Dedicated to preserving the history of the U.S. Marine Corps aviators, or Flying Leathernecks (named after the stiff leather stock that early Marines wore around their necks), this historical foundation and museum features displays and aircraft you can't find anywhere else.

"We're the only command museum in the world devoted to Marine Corps Aviation," says Chuck Meadows, director of the Flying Leathernecks Historical Foundation, which provides volunteer services and support to the museum. "Our program basically tells the story of the Marine Corps aviators since 1912 all the way to the present. Our displays and aircraft, and the things we do here support that."

The museum consists of an outdoor display of 25 vintage aircraft and an indoor display of Marine Corps Aviation memorabilia and artifacts, including portraits, military weapons and clothing. "We have aircraft that go back from the World War II era to modern times," says Meadows. "We also have helicopters, which were a major part of Marine Aviation."

Visitors are lead by skilled docents who give both verbal and walking tours of the displays as well as the aircraft. "These docents come from wide, varied backgrounds. Some are retired Marines, Air Force or Navy," says Meadows. "Some were ground Marines or soldiers, and some were aviators. We have a very diverse group who can take from their life experiences and accurately tell the overall story."<

An important part of the history of aviation, the museum also has the only exhibit in the United States dedicated to the women Marine Corps. "We have an entire gallery devoted to the women in the Marine Corps, and specifically in aviation," says Meadows. "We have an extremely rare display of women's memorabilia dating back to World War I. It's only one of three known displays that exist in the world." The exhibit also showcases permanent trophies for excellence and current-year recipients of 25 individual and unit awards.

Outside of tours, the museum hosts group activities for all ages, from birthday parties and retirement ceremonies to educational programs, welcoming Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Veterans alike.

Families can also take advantage of free admission to special activities, including seasonal events like "Open Cockpit Days" during the summer, when visitors of all ages have the opportunity to climb into the cockpit of various vintage aircraft. "It is exceptionally popular with people coming from all over the country," says Meadows. "The museum is for kids 5 years old to 95."

Admission is free. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and other times by special arrangement. Located at T-4203 Anderson Ave., San Diego, CA, 92145 (directly across from 8604 Miramar Road). For more information, go to www.flyingleathernecks.com or call 1-877-FLY-USMC (1-877-359-8762) USS Midway Museum

For your next mission, jump aboard the USS Midway, the longest-serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century and floating ship museum, located at Navy Pier in downtown San Diego. Commissioned a week after the end of World War II and active throughout Operation Desert Storm, this remarkable vessel houses 60 exhibits and a collection of 25 restored World War II and post-war naval aircraft.

Middeck on the Midway

Courtesy of USS Midway Museum

With a variety of touring options, visitors can view the ship's bridge, flight deck, hangar deck, massive galley, four engine rooms, and many more exhibits that range from the crew's sleeping quarters to the primary flight control. Additionally, the museum features a self-guided audio tour narrated by Midway sailors that takes you to 60 locations, from deep inside the engine room to the bridge up to the island.

"The key element of the Midway experience it the self-guided tour that is included with admission," says Scott McGaugh, marketing director for the USS Midway Museum. At almost every exhibit, you can simply push a button and hear a Midway sailor who either lived or worked in that space. "One stop might be an 85-year-old man telling you what it was like in 1945, or someone in his 40s telling you what it was like during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. It makes it much more personal. It brings a whole city, sea and crew of 4,500, whose average age was 19, to life."

In addition, the museum has a variety of aircraft that range from World War II to Desert Storm. "We have 25 restored aircraft, from the World War II TBM Avenger to the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft that flew in Desert Storm." says McGaugh. The museum also has a combination of climb-aboard aircraft, cockpits and helicopters that are especially popular with families.

Interactive activities onboard

^{Courtesy of USS Midway Musuem}

>Other family fun includes music videos, short films, interactive exhibits and three types of flight simulators. For $16, families can take turns in the popular Strike Fighter 360 simulator, a five-minute mission that takes you and your copilot inside the cockpit and into air-to-air combat.

"Your cockpit spins, whirls, and turns completely at your control," says McGaugh. "You're not just along for the ride. You are actually flying it with a joystick, trying to find the bad guys up in the sky. You can make it as daring and exciting as you want, or as level and square as you'd like."

For more information about the USS Midway Museum and exhibits, go to www.midway.org or call 619-544-9600. Located at 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas). Ticket booth closes at 4 p.m. $17 adults, $13 Seniors 62+ and students with ID, $10 retired military with ID, $9 youth 6-17, 5 and under free. All active-duty military/reservists are free with ID.

About the author: Kim Purcell is a professional writer/editor from Atlanta who has been working in the publishing industry since 2002. Graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in Spanish and a passion for writing, she began her career as a columnist for a local paper and has since established herself in the industry with a diverse background in magazines, book publishing and online media. She has lived in San Diego for two years and enjoys getting to know her new West Coast home.
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Comments

Posted by andre	Wed, Nov 4th, 2009
Dear Kim My name is andre nel and I am an avid flight attendant collector as well as an aviator fanatic, I was in the SA Air Forec for 16 years. Your website is beautiful well done. I would love to vist the USA one day, I am also a historian form South Africa feel free to email me or if you can put me in touch with other colelctors God bless

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