Chino Airport

San Bernadino County, California :

October 20, 2001

Chino is one of those places that everyone who is interested in aviation seems to have heard of, and most seem to dream of visiting. It's taken a while for me, but that dream finally came true. This page covers what I found during my walk round the ramp and at The Air Museum - Planes of Fame. Click to see how I got there and what I found during my visit to the Yanks Air Museum.

On the Ramp:

I could happily have wandered round the Yanks Air Museum restoration compund with my camera for a while, but Tom had other plans. He lead us across the tarmac again and we passed a former Coastguard Martin VC-3A and a C-123K (complete with auxilliary jets). Tom's target was the Tallichet (MARC) compound. We walked along the back of a row of hangars, hard against a chain-link fence. We were off the concrete so I guess I can say I have stood on American soil. But it was no cooler on the baked earth with it's low scrubby vegetation than on the tarmac. We reached our objective - Tom had wanted to show me the hulk of a Bolingbroke. It looked fairly intact, and has apparently been there (along with parts of another) for years! A little further along on another property was an AEW-1 (a Skyraider in British guise). It was interesting, but I was starting to wilt in the heat.

We backtracked to the tarmac, and then walked along the ramp to Aero Traders - another one of those Chino 'names'. They specialise in B-25s and had two in the hangar. Could really only see the one at the front - 'Pacific Princess' (TB-25N 43-28204 N9856C). Lovely! We continued on, passing a Hunter (apparently airworthy but not flown for a while) and a Bushmaster. This one was definitely still working - and was being loaded. Snapped a pic and then raced off after the other two as they tramped back across the tarmac to The Air Museum - Planes of Fame.

The Air Museum - Planes of Fame:

Walked past the B-25 ('Photo Fanny') and made sure I photographed the nose art. Had a chat with Robert about the dangers of American versus other forms of English, and the use of terms like fanny. Where I come from 'fanny pack' has a whole different meaning, and he was amused by our equivalent term - 'bumbag'.

By then we'd reached the hangars and I got my first look at the SBD-5. This aircraft is a former RNZAF combat veteran (NZ5062 of 25 Sqn), and top of my list of sights to see at Chino. I spent a while wandering around the aircraft while Tom and Robert wandered off to do other things. So I had a great time with my camera. They returned all too soon and dragged me out of the Bob Pond Hangar and off to Fighter Rebuilders. Here the prime inhabitant was an A6M3 in an advanced state of restoration. But I was even more surprised to see a Grumman Duck!

It was a short look, because then I was dragged away yet again (funny how there's never enough time when you're having fun) to the Tom Friedkin hangar. Here there were some real gems - particularly the Japanese aircraft. These included another A6M3, a substantial chunk of a 'Val', a 'Betty' wreck, the sole surviving J8M1, and a complete 'Jack'. I have to admit that at this point I was going into aircraft overload, and it was a real shame that I just started looking and not photographing (although it was a little on the dark side for good pics). There were some cool replicas like a Natter and an Me163. I did get my camera out toward the end. A Hanriot HD-1 hanging from the roof proved to be the real thing. It looked a bit suspect painted with Nungesser's coffin and candles markings, but as it turns out, he had made a barnstorming tour of the US in the 1920's and left the aircraft when he returned to France. Tom took great pride pointing out the prewar Boeings. He said it was a real shame I'd missed the Grumman F3Fs which were away on loan - and he looked really surprised when I said I'd seen them at Duxford only 12 days previously.

It had been a busy morning so I was relieved when Tom called lunch. We piled into Robert's van with Ed and drove round to Flo's Diner. The setting seemed familiar (that TV effect again) but not quite. It was hell trying to figure out what to have from the menu. It all sounded familiar but there was some question as to the form it might take - cultural confusion had caught me a couple of times previously! Tom's suggestion sounded like a serious cholesterol overload so I asked the waitress, who recommended the grilled turkey sandwich. This turned out to be an excellent choice - although I was somewhat surprised to find that as well as fries, it came with a bowl of fruit. However I was excited to get a more 'real' look at American life. The conversation was interesting - current state of model production, restoration news, and general aviation stuff.

I didn't realise till I'd returned to New Zealand (and done a little research for these pages) how famous Flo's is - but I can see why. At this point it's also worth pointing out that sometimes I'm a little slow connecting names and faces. Ed at lunch didn't quite connect with Ed whom I'd been introduced to earlier - just too many people to deal with. So Ed had just seemed very knowledgeable on what was happening round Chino - as I would expect from someone there. It was only as we got back to the museum and Ed mentioned he'd have someone open up the SBD for me that I realised that this Ed was Ed Maloney. Oops!

But arrange someone to open the Dauntless he did! So we headed back to the Bob Pond hangar and the volunteer gave me a hand as I photographed the front and rear cockpits - and anything else that looked like it needed photographing. How good can life get! It was just a matter of hoping everything came out okay (they did and more can be seen in a walkaround here). When I got down I thanked Ed. Then Tom introduced me to Jim and Lani Muche (photographers). We didn't have long to talk before Tom dragged me outside. Time was getting short and he had a few more things to show me.

Had a quick look at the Sabre and Bearcat parked outside. In the Jim Maloney hangar across the way was the Tigercat, a Howard, and P-38J 'Joltin Josie'. I've seen so many pictures of this aircraft that I just had to go up and touch it. I don't normally do this - but for once I couldn't resist. (the last time I had an urge like that was when I saw the Sopwith Camel at Hendon). Something different in the hangar was a Culver PQ-14 Drone. I must admit to mistaking it for a Firebee.

Then we went to check out the model room. I'd seen models elsewhere on the premises, but this was amazing - rows and rows of cases. Tom had made a large contribution to the collection, and Robert seemed to have done his bit too. Was astounded at a diorama about 4' by 2' showing a WWI scene - he'd scratchbuilt a couple of Fiat trucks to go with the dozen or so aircraft. On the way out we passed the 'hands on' room - excellent idea for kids.

Fighter Jets and Air Race Museum:

I was then taken down to the Fighter Jets hangar. First thing we saw was the XP-59A in the open door. Took a few pictures, then went round to the main entrance. Inside we walked passed another Sabre and the Northrop Flying Wing. Wow, what a blast! We also got a close up look at the XP-59. Tom seems to be a person without fear. Whereas I tend to be somewhat shy, he bowled up and asked if I could have a look in the cockpit! So I climber rather a rickety ladder up what is quite a tall fuselage - and discovered it was a wonderful spot to overview the rest of the hangar.

Talked to one of the restoration crew, then had a look around. We also met the hangar cat - very friendly. Lots of goodies in this hangar too. The Bell X-1 was a replica (from 'The Right Stuff'), but the Skyrocket was the real thing. So much to see - side by side were an early model Meteor and a P-80 in an excellent chance for comparison. As well as jets, the hangar contained a number of early racers and racer replicas. Again it was just too much to take in!

So in a strangeway I was almost happy when Robert said it was time to be moving along. It had been a fantastic day - I'd never had an opportunity like this before, and outside of Duxford I can't think of many places which would offer this sort of experience. But I think I was a bit overwhelmed by it all. I'd probaby appreciate the place more in smaller doses, but I don't see the opportunity for a return visit arising soon!

Right: Boeing B-17G-90-DL Flying Fortress (c/n 32325, 44-83684, N3713G) 'Picadilly Lilly II' was the last operational USAF B-17 as a DB-17P Drone Director, and was retired to Davis Monthan in August 1959. The aircraft was then acquired by the Air Museum and went on to a movie and television career, acquiring the name 'Picadilly Lilly' in "Twelve O'Clock High". The aircraft last flew in 1975 and moves are afoot to raise money for restoration to airworthiness..

We headed back to the carpark. Got a few pictures of the B-17G and B-50A. Tried unsuccessfully to find Ed. So we said our goodbyes, and Robert and I headed on our way. The drive back was probably 30 minutes, but it seemed much shorter. Robert and I talked practically the whole way - about Chino, our respective travels, LA and California, and culture shock. It was about 4.45pm when he dropped me off outside the hotel - which was only going to make him about 90 minutes later than he'd told his wife. I know that feeling! I walked up to my room thinking about the day and I was just buzzing. Must have had a grin from ear to ear. It had been hot and a lot of walking, but what a day. So many aircraft and so many historic aircraft - quite overwhelming. The worst part was waiting two and a half hours for my wife to get back - so I could tell someone other than my diary about it...

My greatful and eternal thanks to Tom Cleaver, Robert Karr, Ed Maloney, and all those helpful folks at Chino! I look forward to seeing you again sometime.

© 2002 Phillip Treweek, all rights reserved