TimeOut

The San Diego Air & Space Museum reflects San Diego's leading role in the development of flight, especially naval aviation from the earliest days of flight through today. A friend of mine just joined their board of directors, and we went to the auxiliary hanger area in El Cajon for a look at the restoration projects and "extra" aircraft and cool stuff that doesn't make it into the main display area in Balboa Park. Of course it's on the airfield, right? They need to be able to fly in and out.

 

Vin Fiz is a replica of a Wright Bros.-based biplane, which was the first plane to fly across the United States, in 1911. During the 3-month journey it crashed about 10 times, was rebuilt each time, and ended up in California like George Washington's axe that cut down the cherry tree. IF you have changed every part, is it still the same plane (car, axe, etc.)?

 

 

I didn't take notes on everything, sorry. Barron Hilton (yes, the Hotel guy; grandfather of Paris Hilton) owns the glider, tail number N241FM

There are lots of military aircraft outside. Shall we walk the line?

I'm sorry I can't identify them all but somebody on this site must be a military aircraft expert.

This MIG came out of an underground bunker in Egypt, just in case something happened with Israel and the owner needed a way out. 

When the museum got it, via a private donation, they were horrified to discover it had its machine guns and they were fully loaded with live ammunition. 

The FEDS, very unhappy! came out and tore apart every plane in the museum ...

 

A Harrier VTOL for those of us with short runways.

 

Helicopter that folds in half, for convenient storage in your garage? The larger chopper in the background was blessed by the Pope for rescuing a number of civilians after a mudslide.

 

Lots of other fighting machinery out here; this is a carrier-based jet from the Navy. One of these jets came from the Marines at Miramar Air Base. It was TOWED here on its own wheels, at 15 mile journey made late at night,  escorted by about 100 law enforcement vehicles. 

 

Flight simulator and "trainers" wrap up this end of the lot; now it's time to go back inside.

 

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