Temporarily Closed

While we develop plans and raise funds to move the collection to its proposed new home in Irvine, CA, we are continuing to provide many of our outstanding online programs. Please visit our online aviation gallery and check out our educational programs and virtual tours.

Museum is Closed while We Raise Funds and Prepare the Collection for Relocation

Check  out our online tours, resources and programs.

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is closed to the public while we prepare the artifacts and aircraft to be transported to their proposed new home in Great Park, Irvine, CA.  A history and monthly updates on efforts to relocate are included in the timeline below.

Target date for reopening to the public is August 2023. 

In the meantime, the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation is continuing the work of  preserving and sharing the legacy of USMC aviation through school programs and virtual visits, recognition of Marine spouses and documentation of the experiences of those who served.

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is the only museum in the world primarily dedicated to United States Marine Corps (USMC) aviation. It has the largest and most complete collection of historical aircraft flown by U.S. Marine pilots in the world. The museum tells the proud story of USMC Aviation and the part it has played in defending America.

Follow The Journey – San Diego to Great Park in Irvine – Museum Timeline Guide

We invite you to follow along on the sequence of events from the beginning to the museum’s projected opening at its new home in August 2023. The timeline features articles, podcasts and news of our museum’s journey back to its original home at MCAS El Toro.    That base has been decommissioned and now has a new purpose, mission and life as the Great Park in Irvine, CA.  Click on the timeline arrows to scroll the timeline and click on the buttons within the timeline sequence to read the related article.

  • 5-25-2022

    Memorandum of Understanding Signed! May 2022

    A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at Great Park in the City of Irvine has been signed by City of Irvine, USMC and Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation/Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum.

    With this legal hurdle cleared, focus is now on raising the funds required to move the collection, prepare the site and exhibits and staff the museum.

  • 4-30-2022

    President's Update: April 2022

    Monthly update on the museum, fundraising to breaking ground.

  • 3-27-2022

    President's Update: March 2022

    Monthly update on the museum, fundraising to breaking ground.

  • 2-24-2022

    President's Update: February 2022

    Monthly update on the museum, fundraising to breaking ground.

  • 12-29-2021

    Museum Saved...for Now

    The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, a critically important icon of American heritage, has been given a temporary reprieve from permanent closure to give its foundation time to raise funds necessary to relocate the collection and operate the museum.

    4-29-2021

    President's Update

    Leaving MCAS Miramar and Moving Forward. Tentative talks with possibility of relocating to Great Park in Irvine.

     

    1999

    El Toro to MCAS

    Base Realignment closed El Toro in 1999, a group of retired Marines from San Diego, led by Major Generals Bob Butcher and Frank Lang, spearheaded the move of the aircraft and artifacts to MCAS Miramar.

    3-2021

    The Journey Begins

    In March of 2021 it was announced that MCAS Miramar would no longer host the museum on its grounds. Supporters and community in earnest begin “Save our Museum Campaign.

    1989

    Museum 1989

    The Flying Leatherneck museum was established in 1989 on MCAS El Toro in Orange County, CA.

    Become A Part Of Our Marine Aviation Museum’s Legacy

    Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

    During the journey to our museum’s new home, El Toro Hangars at Great Park in Irvine, CA, we will continue to display online the historic aircraft we displayed at our San Diego location. All of the aircraft owned by USMC will be moving to Irvine. A few aircraft that were on loan from other services will be sent to other museums while we relocate.  We will keep you updated on where those aircraft go.

    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