Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

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Former name	El Toro Historical Center and Command Museum Jay W. Hubbard Aviation Museum
Established	1989 (1989)
Location	Irvine, California
Type	Military aviation museum
Founder	Brig. Gen. Jay W. Hubbard

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is a cool place where you can explore the history of United States Marine Corps Aviation. It's currently located at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. This museum is packed with amazing exhibits and items that tell the story of Marine Corps planes and pilots. Outside, you'll find 31 historic aircraft and lots of military vehicles. Inside, there are photos, special items, and artwork showing aviation from its beginnings to today.

Museum's Journey Through Time

The museum started as the El Toro Historical Center and Command Museum in June 1991. It was located in an aviation building at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. By 1998, its name changed to the Jay W. Hubbard Command Museum.

Moving to Miramar

When the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro closed in 1999, the museum got a new name: the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum. It then moved to Naval Air Station Miramar. Imagine moving 41 airplanes! They were loaded onto trailers and driven down highways to their new home. The museum reopened there on May 25, 2000. It even had a large 27,000 sq ft (2,500 m²) hangar for fixing up old planes.

In 2002, there were plans to build an even bigger 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m²) building to show off the collection. However, after the September 11th attacks, security at the base became much tighter. This made it harder for regular visitors to come and see the museum.

The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation was created to help the museum. This group supports the museum's work and offers programs to teach people about Marine Corps aviation. They organize school field trips, STEM education, and even student essay and art contests.

Coming Back to El Toro

In 2021, the Marine Corps announced that the museum would be closing permanently. Its aircraft were going to be sent to other museums. But supporters of the museum didn't want that to happen! They started a campaign to move the museum to a new spot.

The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation began talking with the City of Irvine. They discussed moving the museum back to its original area, the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. This area is now called Orange County Great Park. In December 2021, the museum announced a deal to move the aircraft to some old hangars. By March 2022, some planes on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum were being taken apart to move to other museums.

Now, plans and fundraising are happening to move the rest of the aircraft to the new location in Great Park. The museum started moving planes into the huge 215,000 sq ft (20,000 m²) Hangar 296 in March 2024. In February 2025, the museum received 525 stories from people connected to El Toro from California State University, Fullerton.

Amazing Aircraft Collection

The museum has many cool aircraft on display. These planes tell stories of bravery and flight from different times.

A-4M Skyhawk II, a type of attack aircraft.

F9F-8P Cougar, a jet fighter.

HUP-2 Retriever, a helicopter used for rescue.

Other Cool Exhibits

Besides planes, the museum also has other interesting military items.

M927 UAV Launch Truck, used for launching drones.

• AAI RQ-2B Pioneer – This is a type of drone, mounted on the M927 Truck.
• BMP-1 – This vehicle was captured during a conflict called Desert Storm.
• D-20 – Another vehicle captured during Desert Storm.
• MT-LB – This vehicle was also captured during Desert Storm.
• Landing Signals Officer (LSO) Shack – A small building used by officers who guide planes landing on aircraft carriers.
• M1097 Avenger – A vehicle used for air defense.
• M927 Truck – A large military truck.

Planes in Storage

Some aircraft are currently in storage, waiting for their turn to be displayed or restored.

Other Locations to See Aircraft

Some aircraft are located at the MCAS Miramar Post Exchange. You can only see these if you have access to the post exchange on the base.

• Douglas R4D-8 50835
• Douglas R5D Skymaster 90392
• Fairchild R4Q Packet 131708

Aircraft That Have Moved On

Some planes that used to be at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum have moved to other museums.

Learn More

• Marine Corps Museums
• United States Marine Corps Aviation
• Naval Aviation Hall of Honor (includes USMC heroes)
• United States naval aviator