Tillamook Air Museum is an aviationmuseum south of Tillamook, Oregon in the United States. The museum is located at a former U.S. Navy Air Station and housed in a former blimp hangar, known as "Hangar B", which is the largest clear-span wooden structure in the world.[1]
History
The six-blimp hangar was built by the United States Navy in 1942 during World War II for Naval Air Station Tillamook. It is 1,072 feet (327 m) long and 296 feet (90 m) wide, covering more than 7 acres (2.8 ha). It stands 192 feet (59 m) tall. Each door weighs 30 short tons (27 t) and are 120 feet (37 m) tall. Its companion building, Hangar "A", was destroyed by fire on August 22, 1992.[2][3]
Between April 2013 and September 2014, the museum moved the part of its collection owned by Jack Erickson from Tillamook to Madras, Oregon.[4][failed verification]
In November 2014, the owners of Hangar B, the Port of Tillamook Bay, announced that they would continue operation of the Tillamook Air Museum with the remaining collection.[5][6]
In 2016, the Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum moved some aircraft to the museum.[7]
In 2021, the museum received a B-52 cockpit on loan from Scroggins Aviation Mockup & Effects.[8]
Collection
Aero Spacelines Mini GuppyExternal shot of Hangar BInterior photo of Tillamook Air MuseumHangar B, Tillamook Air Museum
The Museum also features an exhibit hall with a large collection of rare historical wartime and aviation themed artifacts including pieces of the great German airship, the LZ-129 Hindenburg, a World War II Luftwaffeflight jacket and a WWII Japanese Army Winter flight suit.[25]