Hear first-hand accounts of the daredevil exploits of World War II fighter pilots and witness some of their historic aircraft at close quarters.
Lyon Air Museum was founded by retired US Air Force Major General William Lyon. At the specialist museum which bears his name, you can learn about the role the United States played in World War II from the mouths of those who took part. Many of the volunteer guides are veterans who keep visitors absorbed with anecdotes while showing them around the displays of memorabilia. This emphasis on personal experience and authenticity has been one of the museum’s guiding principles since its inception.Some of the most impressive exhibits are the aircraft themselves, all of which are still in working order, although they only take to the skies on rare occasions. You might recognise the famous B-17 Flying Fortress known as “Fuddy Duddy”, which has been featured in films including the Pearl Harbor blockbuster Tora! Tora! Tora!, and once carried the future US President General Dwight D. Eisenhower as a passenger while in use as VIP transport in the Pacific.Alongside examples of American aircraft and military vehicles, the museum houses other notable World War II exhibits with fascinating stories to tell. Don’t miss the German Army’s 1939 Mercedes Benz Touring Wagon, delivered for the personal use of Adolf Hitler and subsequently seized by the French at the end of the war. The vehicle still retains many of its original features, including a bullet-proof windscreen and a front passenger seat which folded back to allow the German Chancellor to stand and greet the crowds.Lyon Air Museum is on the west side of John Wayne Airport, a 15-minute drive from Santa Ana city centre and around 10 minutes from South Coast Plaza. Free on-site parking is available, or catch an Orange County Transportation Authority bus direct to the airport. The museum is open daily except Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) and Christmas Day. Ask for details of group tours and discounts.
