Step into History at Oregon’s Tillamook Air Museum
While exploring the Oregon Coast, my wife and I came inland a few miles to explore Tillamook. Most people flock to tour the world-famous Tillamook Creamery. But on our way into town, we stumbled across an amazing piece of history: the Tillamook Air Museum. The museum is housed inside a one-of-a-kind hangar that was built during World War II.
Our visit was pretty quick because we were short on time. But here’s a rundown on what you can expect to find at the Tillamook Air Museum.
Directions, Hours and Admission Fees
The Tillamook Air Museum is roughly four miles southeast of downtown Tillamook. Along Highway 101, a couple miles south of the city, is a large sign with a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (think military jet) on top. Follow the arrows for another mile or so to the Tillamook Air Museum. It’s actually pretty easy to find.
The museum’s hours fluctuate with the season and based on staffing availability. The museum staff recommended checking their website as you’re putting together your travel plans so you can confirm when they’re open. As of this posting, the “Winter Hours” means the museum is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Mondays).
General admission is $11 per person. Youth (ages 7-18) are $7.50, with Seniors (65+) at $9.50. Members of the military are $8.50, while children (1-6) are $3.50. Children under 1 are free with a paid adult. If you plan to visit the museum multiple times in a year, you can purchase an annual membership for $35 (for passholder and one guest) or a family pass for $65 (two adults and four children under 18).
Download the Tillamook Air Museum App
Want more information about the Tillamook Air Museum at your fingertips? There’s an app for that. Before your visit, download and update the museum’s app so you can take audio tours of Hangar B and the aircraft on display. There’s also a map so you can “wander with purpose” during your visit.
The app is available in the Apple Store and Google Play.
The History of Hangar B and the Tillamook Air Museum
As you approach the Tillamook Air Museum, you’ll notice a rather large, long building with AIR MUSEUM painted on its side. This is known as Hangar B. It is one of two hangars built in 1942 as part of coastal surveillance during World War II. The hangars housed eight K Class airships, which were 252 feet long, 80 feet in diameter, and filled with 425,000 cu. ft. of Helium.
I wasn’t familiar with K Class airships and the role they played in coastal surveillance during the war. It was interesting to learn about the airships, in addition to the hangars that housed them.
If there’s a Hangar B, does that mean there was a Hangar A? The answer… Yes. But it burned down in 1992. And even though the hangars were assigned letters A and B, B was completed first in August 1943, with hangar A completed soon after.
The Naval Air Station Tillamook (the site of Hangar A and B) was decommissioned in 1948 – a few years after the end of WWII.
Although Hangar B still stands today, it’s old and continues to be worn down with age and weather. Friends of the Tillamook Air Museum (FOTAM) are working hard to keep the museum and its history preserved for generations to come.
Aircraft and Exhibits at the Tillamook Air Museum
The Tillamook Air Museum houses multiple aircraft and exhibits from history. You can spend anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours exploring the museum, reading about their respective history and learning more about the historic aircraft.
Here’s a sampling of some of the aircraft and exhibits at the Tillamook Air Museum. The aircraft and exhibits may change over time.
A Few of the Aircraft on Display
- Mini-guppy
- T-39 Sabreliner
- Cessna 180 Skywagon
- Kaman HTK-1 (Helicopter)
- Nord 1101 Noralpha (on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation Pensacola, Florida)
- 1986 Windryder Gyrocopter
A Rundown on the Exhibits
- Walk through a Convair 880
- Historic items from branches of the military and WWI and WWII (Exhibit Hall)
- See a replica SB2C Helldiver Crash site
- A replica air raid shelter
- Holocaust: Stars without a Heaven
- The Hall of WWII
- The cockpit of an F-4 Phantom
Grab Lunch at the Air Base Café
The Air Base Café is a great spot to grab some lunch while visiting the area. Fat Head BBQ is onsite and offers a grab-and-go menu of delicious foods. The café is available for seating, whether you just want a place to relax after touring the museum, or somewhere to enjoy your lunch from Fat Head BBQ.
Fat Head BBQ is not affiliated with the museum. I recommend visiting their Facebook page for hours, food items and more.
The Details
Address: 6030 Hangar Rd Tillamook, OR 97141 (roughly four miles southeast of Tillamook)
How long to spend: 45 minutes to two hours
Cost: General admission is $11 per person. Youth (ages 7-18) are $7.50, with Seniors (65+) at $9.50. Members of the military are $8.50, while children (1-6) are $3.50. Children under 1 are free with a paid adult.
Hours: Visit their website for official and current hours, as it changes by the season and based on staff availability.
Website: http://www.tillamookair.com/
Phone: (503) 842-1130
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