Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum facts for kids
Museum logo
|
|
| Established | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Location | Hillsboro, Oregon, United States |
| Type | Aviation |
| Founder | Roger Kelsay |
| Public transit access | Hillsboro Airport/Fairplex station |
The Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum is a cool place in Hillsboro, Oregon where you can see amazing airplanes! It started in 1998. This museum is special because it keeps old planes in flying condition. Some planes are even restored so they can fly again.
The museum has several locations. You can find planes in Hillsboro, Corvallis, Oregon, and Tillamook, Oregon. Doug Donkel is the museum director.
Contents
History of the Museum
How It Started
A man named Roger Kelsay started a company called Premier Jets in 1984. It was a company that offered charter flights from the Hillsboro Airport. Over time, Roger began collecting classic military airplanes.
In 1995, he got a MiG-17F jet. This plane was built in 1958 and used to be part of the Polish Air Force. Roger Kelsay then founded the Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum in 1998. He gave many of his planes to the museum's collection.
Air Shows and New Planes
The museum's planes have been part of the Oregon International Air Show. In 2006, their MiG-17F and a BAC Jet Provost Mk.3A from the Royal Air Force performed. They were also in the 2007 show.
In January 2007, the museum bought a MiG 21 jet. This fighter plane was on display at a car dealership. The museum planned to fix it up so it could fly again.
Later that year, in October, they received an F-104G from Taiwan. In 2009, a C-47A was added. This plane was built in 1942. It is the military version of the famous DC-3 airplane. The museum's C-47A used to be with the Royal Canadian Air Force. It was later used to carry cargo.
The Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum was at the Hillsboro air show again in 2010. They showed off their Douglas A-26C Invader, MiG-17F, and F-86 Sabre.
Moving Planes Around
In 2016, the museum had to move some of its planes. They lost the lease for one of their hangars. Some planes went to the Tillamook Air Museum. Others moved to the museum's extension location. This location is at Corvallis Aero Services in Corvallis, Oregon.
What You Can See and Do
The Collection and Its Purpose
The main hangar in Hillsboro used to be home to Roger Kelsay's Premier Jets. Roger Kelsay still owns most of the planes in the museum. The big goal for all the planes is to make them flyable again. Volunteers work thousands of hours to restore these aircraft.
The Hillsboro museum is very good at restoring planes. They also have other aviation items. Their goal is to teach people about aviation. They do this by showing working aircraft. You can also see engines, ground equipment, and ejection seats.
Visiting the Museum
Besides restoring planes, volunteers also give tours of the hangar. They help put on exhibitions. The museum in Hillsboro, Oregon, is free to visit. You can go by appointment or stop by on Tuesdays. The hours are from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. It's best to call ahead.
You can also visit the Corvallis Aero Services in Corvallis, Oregon. They offer tours Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM. An appointment is preferred there too. You can also visit the Tillamook Air Museum during their open hours.
Airplanes in the Collection
The museum has many different types of aircraft. Not all of them are in Hillsboro. Some are in Corvallis or Tillamook.
- Two F-104s (one in Hillsboro, one in Corvallis)
- One Northrop F-5 (in Hillsboro)
- Two Douglas A-26C Tankers (at Tillamook Aviation Museum)
- One BAC Jet Provost (at Tillamook Air Museum)
- One MiG 17F (at Tillamook Air Museum)
- Two MiG 21s (one in Corvallis, one in Klamath Falls)
- One Fouga CM-170 Magister (in Hillsboro)
- One Hawker Hunter F Mk.51 (in Hillsboro)
The planes in the museum come from many countries. These include Poland, Turkey, and Taiwan.
See also
- List of aerospace museums
- Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals
- Next Level Pinball Museum
- Five Oaks Museum
