Arlington Naval Air Museum   Boeing Future of Flight Center   Canadian Museum of Flight   Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum   Flying Heritage Museum   Fort Lewis Museum   Historic Flight Museum  Heritage Flight Museum   McChord AFB Museum   Museum of Flight   Museum of Flight Restoration Center   Tillamook Air Museum

Warbird and Aviation Museums of the Pacific Northwest
Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum - McMinnville, OR
May 26, 2012


Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum is most well known for having the the Spruce Goose (HK-1) on display.  However, even without this one of kind aircraft, the museum is still first class with brand new buildings and outstanding restorations and displays located in two different buildings, while a third building contains an IMAX theater.  However, one issue that becomes clear below is what I call clutter around the aircraft displays.  It was just about impossible to get clear shots of many of the aircraft without including all sorts of other items or aircraft.  Also a hindrance are the widows all around the buildings.  While they are great for natural light they can be an issue as far as backlighting when attempting to photograph the airplanes.  Also while all of the restorations are first class the aircraft are all static and not currently being flown.  In the photo selection below I have concentrated on the WWII aircraft on display.


Coming up the road to the museum one passes this vineyard with the 747 on top of the water park in the background.  One can purchase wine from the vineyard inside the museum.  This is the only museum I have been to that sells its own wine, or anyone's wine, for that matter.

A Ford Tri-Motor.

I was unaware that luggage storage was provided in the wings of the Tri-Motor.


According to the information board this previously belonged to the late Howard Pardue.  I had been wondering for some time what happened to this aircraft as I had him bring this particular Corsair to the Mt. Comfort, IN Air Show several times in the early 1980's.

The airliner seats and photo interfere with a clean shot along with the wing of the P-38!!

 
This is only the second WWII air to air radar pods I have seen at a museum and is the best restoration of the two.

Pods like this were used on F6F and F4U night fighters.

This is F6F-3, BuNo. 41476, on loan from the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  Actually this is the second time I have seen this.  In May of 1978 I was at the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show and this Hellcat and a Corsair were on display.  Both were being restored by Marine Aviation Techs at Cherry Point.  I distinctly remember talking with one of the Marines doing the work that was at display in 1978.

Editor's note:  This Hellcat as of April, 2013 is now owned by the Collings Foundation of Stow, MA and is being restored to flying condition.  The National Museum of the Marine Corps traded it to Collings for a Boeing FB-5.   DDJ 11-14-2013

See below for information on this Bf-109.  Note the Skyraider outside.

All of the restorations are first class.

 


Spitfire.

The Lockheed P-38.

Too much clutter!!

 P-38 and F4U with the Spruce Goose (HK-1) in the background.

 
Another shot of the Spruce Goose (HK-1).

A really nice P-40.

TBM.

The Evergreen A-26 with more airline seats in the way.

The Evergreen B-17.  This photo even has a golf cart in it which just happened to be there.

The HK-1.  This is the designation the US Navy gave the aircraft and stood for Hughes Kaiser Number One.  Henry Kaiser was part of the original project but then dropped out to leave Howard Hughes to carry on and finish the project.

One can tour the cargo area as we see here as part of the price of admission.  Cockpit tours are extra and if I remember correctly not cheap. 

While this is out of focus (it is better than the others I took) this demonstrates the vastness of the cargo hold.  Note the mannequin for a size reference.

The museum is a tribute and memorial for Captain Michael King Smith, son of Evergreen Aviation founder Delford Smith, who was killed in an automobile accident at age 29.  Before his death Captain Smith started the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum and Delford Smith has continued his son's dream by building this world class museum.

More photos of my visit which consists of the outside display aircraft can be seen at:  Oregon Gateguards

Arlington Naval Air Museum   Boeing Future of Flight Center   Canadian Museum of Flight   Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum   Flying Heritage Museum   Fort Lewis Museum   Historic Flight Museum  Heritage Flight Museum   McChord AFB Museum   Museum of Flight   Museum of Flight Restoration Center   Tillamook Air Museum