Tillamook Air Museum

Some of you may have visited the Tillamook Creamery and noticed that there is another creamery right there, Blue Heron French Cheese Company.

I mention that because we recently visited the Tillamook Air Museum, which may not be quite as well known as the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.

There isn't nearly the same proximity, with Evergreen being in McMinnville, but it got a lot of publicity when it first opened in 2001.

As a museum, Tillamook is only seven years older, established in 1994.

However, its history goes back much further, with the U.S. Navy building two blimp hangars in 1942.

Hangar A was destroyed in a fire in 1992.

https://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/blimp-base-devouring-inferno-reaches-25-year-anniversary/article_f676a39a-8cf7-11e7-a97f-bf02e56b217c.html  

There are other remnants of the base, like the old officers' mess, but Hangar B remains as a really interesting museum.

Obviously, you can learn a lot about blimps. And helium.

There is also a lot about World War II, including impressive model rooms.

I heard some conversations with people very intrigued about specific battles or vessels, and I know this was a great place for them.

There are also many options to get a feel for various craft, where you can sit in the seats or go through the cockpit.

Perhaps that was most effective in feeling the cramped quality of an air raid shelter.

My big disappointment was that even though the slide was set up for the old TWA Convair 880, it was blocked off so you could not go down it. 

Probably some sort of liability issue.

They make good use of film as well. 

In addition to a short introductory film in a tent near the entrance, they have a theater with multiple informational films relating to museum exhibits.

I was also pleased to see a play area for children in the hangar, as well as a coloring table in the gift shop.

While some children will be thrilled with the planes, some won't, and it should be possible to balance those needs.

I felt like it was easier to learn more here than in many other museums.

For example, these signs are with every craft.

In addition to general facts about the model and specific history about the one in front of you, there are specifications on things like size and the engine manufacturer.

You will always notice that some are bigger than others, but sometimes the size difference is not as obvious.

I think some of this will be very interesting for the mechanically inclined.

I really liked the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum, but the Tillamook Air Museum may be my favorite of the air museums.

It does frequently make Best Museum lists:

https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2018/03/the_20_best_museums_in_oregon.html

Some of that may be the local connections. It was a functioning base on that site, so a part of the local landscape.

Information on its history includes information and debris from a local crash.

The seats in the theater came from the Fox in Portland.

There is some imported glamor, too, with planes featured in movies, including an F-14 Tomcat from Top Gun.

For all there is to see, the museum does need help.

There is new work going on. I will be interested to see the exhibit on homing pigeons when it is completed. They fly too. 

Many of the individual planes could use funding for additional restoration.

In addition, Hangar B itself needs repair.

It is very interesting that there are owls residing in the hangar, but does that relate to some of the gaps?

Your visit could be just what they need, and pretty good for you too!

The dining concession is currently for lease, but you can still sit and rest there. The gift shop sells some snacks, and there are picnic tables available outside. 

COVID: I did wear my mask inside, but I have to admit that it was spacious enough and with enough air flow in the main hangar that I might have been okay without it. That might be different in the various exhibit rooms.

 Accessibility: For the most part, overall navigation should be easy, though there are some rough spots on the hangar floor.

Wheelchairs can also fit in the theater, and there are some available for visitors who arrived without their own.

There are also benches here and there.

However, there are various specific things, like when there are steps to enter a craft or try a seat, that would not be accommodating. 

Staff was pretty knowledgeable, so ask if you have questions.

https://www.tillamookair.com/

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