Lyon Museum Grand Opening

Story and Photos
By Jim Mumaw

A select group of supporters as well as local, county and state representatives was on hand for the grand opening last month of the Lyon Air Museum at Orange County, Calif.'s John Wayne Airport.

The 30,000-sq. ft. museum (PF, Dec. '09) was spic and span as the guests made their way in during the afternoon of December 10th. It was the realization of a dream of the founder, Maj. Gen. William "Bill" Lyon.

General Lyon recounted his quest took root after seeing how well the British documented WW II in their museums. His hope was to bring honor to those of what has rightly been called, "The Greatest Generation" by a creating a museum in Orange County.

He envisioned a place that today's children could come to see the machines and learn about the men and women who saw America through some of the most harrowing times of the Twentieth Century. It's clear that Gen. Lyon and the supporters and volunteers of the Lyon Air Museum have succeeded.

The first thing that strikes you is the brightness of the museum. Light colored walls with metal railings are illuminated by a large array of windows as well as overhead lighting. This made the American Airlines DC-3 and the B-25 Mitchell virtually sparkle with their highly-polished bare metal finishes reflecting the museum interior like mirrors. T

The museum boasts its own movie theater as well as a balcony area along one wall where guests can get a unique perspective of the displays.

As the event's emcee, Ed Arnold did a superb job as did Steve Charpie, a symphonic veteran. Charpie's trumpet solo of the National Anthem ended with an executive jet taking off, as if on cue, which added a fitting crescendo.

As the museum's hangar doors opened behind the stage, the recently acquired B-17G, "Fuddy Duddy," taxied in from the ramp toward the stage with Gen. Lyon at the controls. Lyon later quipped that he thought the guests were "pretty trusting" as the Flying Fortress stopped just behind the stage.

The task of cutting the ribbon was carried out by Gen. Lyon, Willa Dean Lyon and Mark Foster. Foster, the president of the museum, brings with him a wealth of experience as a pilot and years of service with Chino's Planes of Fame Air Museum. Foster was vice president as well as general manager of the Chino museum when he opted to join Lyon.

Besides the afore mentioned aircraft, the museum also displays a beautiful shark-mouthed A-26B invader as well as the fabled DC-3/C-47 Dakota. Aircraft aren't the only thing to greet visitors as there are some great classic vehicles from the Forties. The automobiles are not only military vehicles, but civilian rides such as a Packard and a Caddy that look like they'd be at home at a concours event.

The Lyon Air Museum is open Mon-Fri 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 5pm. It's also easy to get to.

Take the San Diego (405) Freeway to the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway and get off at the Baker Street exit. From there, you just hang a right at Baker and take it all the way to the end (it becomes Ike Jones Road). The address is 19300 Ike Jones Road, or see www.lyonairmuseum.org/visitus.