Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

08/14/2026

Help Us Bring a KC-130 Cockpit to Life -

Today, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum has the opportunity to preserve one of the most iconic pieces of Marine Corps aviation history, the cockpit of a KC-130 Hercules.

07/29/2026

This week we sent our Chief Operating Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Grant Williams, to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for the restoration completion ceremony of SBD-1 Dauntless, Bureau Number 1612.
This aircraft is one of a kind, the only one left in the world. It crashed in 1942, sat at the bottom of Lake Michigan until it was salvaged in 1994, and has spent the last four years in the hands of the Air Zoo's remarkable restoration team. Calling that an intensive restoration is an understatement.
The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum will receive the aircraft next summer, ahead of our grand opening in 2028.
We're proud to partner with an organization as professional as the Air Zoo. Give them a follow and go visit their museum. It's worth the trip.

Yesterday, we celebrated the incredible work our Restoration Crew has put into the SBD-1 Dauntless! See their hard work and dedication up close by visiting our Restoration Center during your next visit.

07/14/2026

The foundation is being poured... and history is taking shape! 🇺🇸✈️

Today marks one of the most exciting milestones in the construction of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum as 660 cubic yards of concrete are being poured into the museum's foundation!

Just weeks ago, this site was an empty pad. Today, it is becoming the permanent home of more than 50 historic Marine Corps aircraft, thousands of artifacts, and immersive educational experiences that will inspire future generations.

Every truckload of concrete, every footing, and every beam brings us one step closer to opening the doors to a museum that will honor the extraordinary legacy of Marine Corps aviation.

Over the coming weeks, crews will continue pouring concrete, installing the V***r Intrusion Mitigation System (VIMS), and preparing for one of the biggest milestones yet, the raising of the museum's steel columns and roof trusses!

This is more than construction...
It's the beginning of a legacy.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey. Together, we're building a place where history will live on for generations.

If you'd like to be part of building this incredible museum, please consider making a donation today!

07/04/2026

Today we celebrate the birth of our nation and honor the generations of Marines who have defended the freedoms we cherish.

For nearly 250 years, the United States Marine Corps has answered our nation's call with courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. The aircraft, artifacts, and stories we preserve represent the brave men and women who stood ready to protect liberty around the world.

As we gather with family and friends this Independence Day, we remember those who made these celebrations possible.

Thank you to all who have served.

Wishing you and your family a safe and meaningful Fourth of July!

❤️🤍💙

06/01/2026

Our newest restoration project, the legendary F-5 Tiger II, has officially arrived at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum!

The aircraft was delivered to the hangar, and our team was excited to watch the wings being installed as the next phase of restoration begins. The F-5 may be small, but it has a big legacy. Known for its speed, agility, and reliability, the aircraft has served around the world for decades and is still used by Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 (VMFT-401) to train today's fighter pilots in realistic adversary combat scenarios.

As work continues on the F-4S Phantom, Lady Ace CH-46E, and many other aircraft in our collection, we're thrilled to add the F-5 to the growing list of restoration projects that will eventually be on display in our new museum. The aircraft was generally donated to the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum by the team at Tactical Air Support, Inc.

Want to help preserve aviation history? Consider sponsoring an aircraft or making a donation to support these incredible restoration efforts.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Memorial Day is more than a holiday; it is a solemn reminder of the extraordinary sacrifice made by generations of Americans who answered the call to defend freedom.

At the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, we honor the courage, service, and legacy of those who never came home. Their sacrifice lives on through the stories we preserve, the aircraft we restore, and the generations we educate.
As we gather with family and friends today, may we also take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of this day and remember the fallen heroes who made our freedoms possible.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” -John 15:13
We remember. We honor. We will never forget.

05/06/2026

The first truckload of steel has officially arrived for the future home of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum!

This is more than just a delivery, it’s the beginning of the structure that will soon house incredible aircraft, powerful stories, and immersive educational experiences.

Every beam represents progress. Every step brings us closer.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way, this milestone belongs to you too.

Want to help us keep building? Get involved, donate, or become a member today!

05/04/2026

✈️ 📍Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum - May Newsletter📍✈️ -

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II has long stood as one of the most iconic aircraft in American military aviation history, serving with the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force across decades of conflict from Vietnam through the Cold War. Known for its speed, versatility, and unmistakable silho...

05/01/2026

Take a first look inside the future of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

This flythrough gives you an exciting preview of what’s coming to the Great Park in Irvine, from incredible aircraft displays to immersive, hands-on exhibits that will bring Marine Corps aviation history to life.

With over 40 historic aircraft and a mission to inspire future generations, this museum will be unlike anything else in the world.

We can’t wait to welcome you through these doors soon.

04/30/2026

It was a pleasure welcoming Councilmember William Go to the hangar! He stopped by with friends and family, and we had the opportunity to give them a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work happening at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum.

Visits like these may be simple, but they mean a lot. It’s always encouraging to see community leaders taking an interest in preserving the legacy of Marine Corps aviation and supporting the future of the museum.

Thank you for spending time with us, we appreciate the support!