Vintage Aviation Museum

06/13/2026

Help Us Rescue the Harpoons: The Mission to Move Two Rare Warbirds Home! ✈️🌵➡️🏔️
Aviation community, we need your help to execute an incredible rescue mission! As many of you know, the Vintage Aviation Museum has officially acquired two incredibly rare WWII Lockheed PV-2 Harpoons (N7251C and N7454C) currently safely secured at Mesa-Falcon Field in Arizona.

We are currently working under a time-sensitive window to relocate these two Harpoons. This effort comes as Falcon Field has recently rolled out a “Non-Operational Aircraft Policy” as part of broader airport management updates, increasing the urgency to ensure both aircraft are moved promptly while remaining in compliance with evolving airport requirements.

Our ultimate goal is to bring these massive pieces of American naval heritage home to the Spanish Fork Airport in Utah—but moving heavy, historic airframes over 600 miles is a massive logistical and financial undertaking.

One of these airframes was rescued from an abandoned airfield where it suffered years of vandalism, while the other is in fantastic condition and primed for a full, airworthy restoration. To get them disassembled, safely transported across state lines, and reassembled for restoration, we need to fuel the fund. Every dollar raised directly secures the heavy transport equipment, permits, and specialized tools required for the move.

How You Can Help Take Action Today:
💰 Donate to the Relocation Fund: Every contribution gets these sub-hunters one mile closer to Utah.
🛠️ Volunteer Your Skills: Are you in the Mesa area and have experience with heavy aircraft teardown, or in Spanish Fork ready to receive them? We need your muscle!
📢 Share This Mission: Pass this post along to your fellow av-geeks, history buffs, and veteran communities to help us spread the word.
Let’s bring these guardians of the Pacific home where they belong.
🔗 Make a Tax-Deductible Donation: Head to the Vintage Aviation Museum Support Page to contribute or sign up to volunteer! www.vintageaviationmuseum.org

05/22/2026

What does everyone think?

𝙁𝙊𝙍 𝙄𝙈𝙈𝙀𝘿𝙄𝘼𝙏𝙀 𝙍𝙀𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙀

𝙈𝙖𝙮 21, 2026 𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝘽𝙖𝙮 𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙑𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝘼𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙁𝙞𝙭𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙧 𝘽

TILLAMOOK, Ore. — With a heavy heart, the Port of Tillamook Bay board, following extensive discussion, financial analysis, and consultation with industry experts since December, the Port Board voted 4-1 to not proceed with repairs to the storm-damaged roof section of Hangar B following the December storm event.
The decision came after months of evaluation regarding the long-term financial sustainability of the historic structure and the significant local financial obligations tied to any potential repair effort. While FEMA assistance may become available, the Port would still be responsible for a required 25% local match — estimated to be $1.3 million — which would require the Port to secure additional financing through a loan for this portion of the roof repair only and does not include the whole building.
Board members also discussed the ongoing risks associated with the facility, including concerns about future storm damage and the uncertainty surrounding long-term maintenance obligations for the aging structure. For now, and into the immediate future, the Tillamook Air Museum will remain closed. Any significant repairs (more than just the current safety issue) would take months or years to complete throughout the building.
The Port board emphasized that immediate safety concerns are being addressed. The hanging portion of the damaged roof structure, identified as the primary public safety issue, will be removed in the near future. In addition, the Port will continue pursuing opportunities and partnerships related to asbestos abatement assistance and future site stabilization efforts.
Throughout the evaluation process, the Board collaborated closely with consultants experienced in similar historic military hangar facilities, including recent work involving Navy hangars in California. The Port expressed appreciation to Turner & Townsend, as well as others, for assisting with cost analysis, condition assessments, and financial projections.
Commissioners acknowledged that the decision was extremely difficult given the community’s deep connection to the iconic World War II-era structure. However, financial realities ultimately guided the Board’s action. Commissioner Baertlein stated that the decision couldn’t be made with their hearts, but had to be financial. Repair of the full structure is not sustainable in the future. The board’s role is to oversee financial decisions for the port, and the board wasn’t willing to put the rest of the port in financial distress with debt.
“Everyone loves Hangar B and recognizes its historical significance,” Commissioner Bill Baertlein stated. “But even if the building were rebuilt, the long-term financial outlook remains unsustainable. Estimated annual maintenance costs alone are three times greater than the revenue the building had been generating.”
The Port also extended sincere appreciation to the Friends of Tillamook Air Museum for their persistence, advocacy, and assistance in gathering information and data throughout the process.
“This was not an easy decision for anyone involved,” commissioners noted. “We are grateful to the many community members, partners, and supporters who care deeply about Hangar B and its future.”

Contact Michele Bradley, General Manager with any questions or concerns at [email protected]

05/16/2026

In just two weeks, we are relocating one of the rarest surviving WWII aircraft trainers in existence—our Beech AT-11 “Kansan.”
This historic airplane trained thousands of bombardiers who helped win World War II. Very few remain today, and preserving this aircraft is our way of honoring the Greatest Generation and keeping their legacy alive.
We need your help to move this irreplaceable aircraft from California to its new home in Spanish Fork, Utah. Every dollar goes directly toward transportation and preservation costs.
If this aircraft matters to you—if history matters to you—please donate today. No contribution is too small. Together, we can ensure this remarkable piece of American history is protected for future generations.
Donate now and be part of saving history. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/7577fb8f-4c8d-4f84-94d9-7dbdd9408746?fbclid=IwdGRjcAR1sZ1jbGNrBHWxQGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHny_KANA-VkGFxNYSDgRFxWvsWPQV2afrhCBiv7ibS5f_UCjZwHcmgQ9M27F_aem_YWdncwDIZM3AfjGvCCLnupuJGdL_&brid=YWdncwHsn8lWN-nZUgupLrMybIxR

05/13/2026

Our Harpoon fleet is growing. We just had these 2 very rare Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon D models donated to us. Now we have more PV-2's than any other museum in the world and more D models. The D model is especially rare because there were only 37 D models built. The graffiti bird will be built back up to a static display, the other one will eventually be returned to flight. We are certainly grateful!

05/09/2026

Out here today at KSLC participating in the aviation career day. If you are in the area, stop on by.

04/28/2026

A huge shout out to FLT Academy and Intermountain Business Insurance for helping to make our veterans speaking event this past Saturday a success. FLT Academy is the biggest and best flight school in Utah. IBI is the go to for all of your aviation insurance needs.

04/01/2026

Anyone have a spare blimp hangar? 🤔

03/31/2026

How important is it to all of you to keep aviation history alive?

03/30/2026

Interview that we did today about an important upcoming event.

The Vintage Aviation Museum exists to preserve historic aircraft and just as importantly, the stories behind them.

03/28/2026

This Beech AT-11 bomber trainer project just got donated to us. Some assembly required 😁