Support the Museum's Journey to Great Park in Irvine

With your support, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum will be able to to relocate to the El Toro Hangars in City of Irvine, Orange County, CA.

Target date to open to the public  is March 2025.

Explore Our Ongoing Programs

While working on relocating the museum, we are continuing our programs to preserve and share the legacy of USMC aviation through our education programs and activities.

2018 Marine Wife of Year Traci Wilson

Marine Spouse Recognition Program

To honor and highlight the resiliency, strength, and dedication of USMC spouses

Nominations for the 2023 award are now with the judging panel.  Awardee will be announced at a ceremony in July. 

Nominations for the 2024 award will be open starting in January, 2024.

 

2017 Essay contest winner flying leather neck museum

Essay Contest

Our annual essay contest for grades 6-12 encourages students to develop and improve their thinking and writing skills as they address core values of the US Marine Corps and our society.

Submissions for the 2022-2023 contest are now with the judging panels and winners will be announced shortly.  The 2023-2024 academic year contest will open in the fall of 2023.

2019 Student Art Contest Entry

Annual Art Contest

Gives students a platform to express their artistic and creative skills as they learn about U.S. and aviation history.

The 2022-2023 academic year contest is now closed and submissions are with the judging panels. Submissions will be accepted starting in the fall of 2023 for the next contest.

Your generous support will make it possible for us to deconstruct and move the treasured collection, renovate the El Toro hangars, and create exciting, immersive experiences, exhibits and programs.

 

Together We Can Preserve and Share the Proud Legacy of Marine Aviation

President’s Updates

Brigadier General Michael J. Aguilar

President and CEO of the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation, Brigadier General Michael J. Aguilar, USMC retired, periodically writes a column on efforts to save the collection and move it to a new home in Great Park, Irvine, California.

Concept-Illustration-of-El-Toro-Hangar-Great-Park-Irvine-CA-980x381

Learn about the Organization’s Vision, Mission and History

Go Inside the Blog

Learn, explore and stay up to date. Articles, information and news from Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum.

President’s Update-October 2022

The trek uphill continues as we work with the City of Irvine to craft an agreement for relocating the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum (FLAM) to Great Park. The two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), the first between Irvine and the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation (FLHF) and the second MOU between Irvine, the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and the Marine Corps, along with previous planning discussions form the framework for the development of a final agreement.

President’s Update-August 2022

President’s Update-August 2022

We are continuing to work on the agreement between the Foundation, City of Irvine and the USMC on responsibilities for the re-establishment of the museum in Great Park. In the meantime design and development of layout for exhibits has moved forward and we are exploring options to store the aircraft in Great Park until Hangar 296 is ready for occupancy. Finally, a Marine Wife awardee was recognized in a plaque-unveiling ceremony in our administrative offices.

Testimonials & Reviews
I spent a long time wandering through the planes, photographing the amazing aircraft and the environment. I wondered if my grandfather had flown any of them, and felt I connected with him as well as my own family history. I also felt as if I had accomplished an uncompleted task on my father’s list as well.  Scott B on YELP
Scott B

Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum – Online

During our museum’s journey to Great Park in Irvine, CA , we hope you will continue to enjoy the aircraft exhibited in our online gallery. We are dedicated to preserving history and the incredible contributions made by the men and women of Marine Corps Aviation.

VOUGHT F8U-2NE (F-8E,J) CRUSADER

VOUGHT F8U-2NE (F-8E,J) CRUSADER

VOUGHT F8U-1P (RF-8A,G) CRUSADER

VOUGHT F8U-1P (RF-8A,G) CRUSADER

GRUMMAN F9F-8P (RF-9J) COUGAR

GRUMMAN F9F-8P (RF-9J) COUGAR

GENERAL MOTORS FM-2 WILDCAT

GENERAL MOTORS FM-2 WILDCAT

DOUGLAS SBD-1 DAUNTLESS

DOUGLAS SBD-1 DAUNTLESS

NORTH AMERICAN PBJ-1J (B-25J) MITCHELL

NORTH AMERICAN PBJ-1J (B-25J) MITCHELL

Sikorsky HUS-1 UH-34D Sea Horse Helicopter

Sikorsky HUS-1 UH-34D Sea Horse Helicopter

Bell 214ST UH-1N (HUEY) Iroquois Helicopter

Bell 214ST UH-1N (HUEY) Iroquois Helicopter

Grumman TBM-3E Avenger

Grumman TBM-3E Avenger

McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk

McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk

Beechcraft T-34B Mentor

Beechcraft T-34B Mentor

North American SNJ-5 Texan

North American SNJ-5 Texan

McDonnell Douglas RF-4B Phantom II

McDonnell Douglas RF-4B Phantom II

North American-Rockwell OV-10D Bronco

North American-Rockwell OV-10D Bronco

Mikoyan – Gurevich MiG-15 Fagot

Mikoyan – Gurevich MiG-15 Fagot

Sikorsky HRS-3 (H-19) Chickasaw Helicopter

Sikorsky HRS-3 (H-19) Chickasaw Helicopter

Grumman F9F-2 Panther

Grumman F9F-2 Panther

Chance Vought F4U-5N Corsair

Chance Vought F4U-5N Corsair

Douglas F4D-1 Skyray

Douglas F4D-1 Skyray

Douglas F3D-2 Skyknight

Douglas F3D-2 Skyknight

McDonnell F2H 2 Banshee

McDonnell F2H 2 Banshee

McDonnell Douglas FA-18A Hornet

McDonnell Douglas FA-18A Hornet

McDonnell Douglas FA-18A Hornet – Aggressor Colors

McDonnell Douglas FA-18A Hornet – Aggressor Colors

McDonnell Douglas F-4JS Phantom II

McDonnell Douglas F-4JS Phantom II

Boeing Vertol Sea Knight CH-46 Helicopter – Lady Ace 09

Boeing Vertol Sea Knight CH-46 Helicopter – Lady Ace 09

Bell Sea Cobra AH-1 Helicopter

Bell Sea Cobra AH-1 Helicopter

Northrop F-5E Tiger II

Northrop F-5E Tiger II

McDonnell Douglas A-4M Skyhawk II

McDonnell Douglas A-4M Skyhawk II

MCDonnell Douglas Skyhawk A-4F

MCDonnell Douglas Skyhawk A-4F

Douglas  A4-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk

Douglas A4-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk

Grumman A-6A E Intruder

Grumman A-6A E Intruder

DROP US A LINE

858-693-1723

flhf@flyingleathernecks.org

9400 Activity Road, Suite C,
San Diego, CA 92126
MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 45316
San Diego, CA 92145-0316