Air Classics Museum of Aviation
Location within Illinois | |
| Established | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Location | Sugar Grove, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41°45′51″N 88°29′02″W / 41.7643°N 88.4838°W |
| Type | Aviation museum |
| Founder |
|
| Website | Archived 10 February 2025 at the Wayback Machine |
The Air Classics Museum of Aviation is an aviation museum located at the Aurora Municipal Airport in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
History
Establishment
The museum was founded by Rod Kath, Larry Matt, Irvin Lewandowski, Jack Rodgers, Robert Knoll in 1990 after they met at The Landings Airport in Huntley, Illinois. It opened with 17 aircraft three years later at the DuPage Airport in West Chicago, Illinois and began fundraising for a purpose built facility across the airport. However, within two years Knoll, Lewandowski and Rodgers had died. Their deaths resulted in a significant drop in funding and in another two years the museum was being asked to leave the airport.[1][2][3] Shortly before moving, it completed the restoration of a F4F-3 for a display at O'Hare International Airport.[4][5]
Move to Aurora
It moved to the Aurora Municipal Airport in Sugar Grove, Illinois within a year.[6] Not long thereafter, in 1999, the museum announced a partnership with the Bannockburn Corporation to create the Ageless Classics Transportation Museum to display the latter's collection of classic cars.[7]
Exhibits
Exhibits at the museum include a display about women in aviation.[8]
Collection
- Bell UH-1H Iroquois[9]
- Curtiss P-40 Warhawk – replica[10]
- McDonnell F-4B Phantom II[11]
- McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk[12]
- LTV A-7E Corsair II[13]
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 – replica[14]
- North American P-51D Mustang – replica[15]
- North American RF-86F Sabre[16]
- North American T-39 Sabreliner[17]
- Republic F-105D Thunderchief[18]
- Republic P-47D Thunderbolt – replica[19]
Events
The museum holds an annual open house.[20]
References
- ^ Sereque, Art. "A Brief History". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "Vintage Aircraft on Display". Times-Press. AP. October 27, 1994. p. 11. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Grady, William (February 9, 1997). "Aviation Museum's Near Miss". Chicago Tribune. pp. 1, 6. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Caricato, Vic. "Wild About Wildcats". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Pesavento, Mark (August 24, 1997). "Hero's Welcome". Chicago Tribune. pp. 1–2. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Kath, Rod. "Aurora Here We Come". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Van Matre, Lynn (December 23, 1999). "One-Time Car Shop to Become Museum". Chicago Tribune. p. 2. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Pierce, Gala M. (September 21, 1998). "Women in Flight Exhibit to Get Off the Ground". Daily Herald. pp. 1–2. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "Bell UH-1H Iroquois A.K.A. Huey". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "Curtiss-Wright Corp P-40 Warhawk (Replica)". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "McDonnell-Douglas F-4B Phantom II". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "Ling-Temco-Vought A-7E Corsair II". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "Bayerische Fleugwerke Messerschmitt Bf-109 (Replica)". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "North American Aviation P-51D Mustang (Replica)". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "North American RF-86F Sabre". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "North American T-39 Sabreliner". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "Republic Aviation F-105D Thunderchief". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Replica)". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Alleman, Annie (June 17, 2016). "Have Some Fun with Dad on Father's Day". Beacon-News. p. 3. Retrieved November 27, 2023.