Air Classics Museum of Aviation

Air Classics Museum of Aviation

Location within Illinois
Established	1990 (1990)
Location	Sugar Grove, Illinois
Coordinates	41.7643°N 88.4838°W / 41.7643; -88.4838
Type	Aviation museum
Founder	Rod Kath Robert Knoll Irvin Lewandowski Larry Matt Jack Rodgers
Website	www.airclassicsmuseum.org

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]^[failed verification][5]^[failed verification]

Move to Aurora

It moved to the Aurora Municipal Airport in Sugar Grove, Illinois within a year.[6]^[failed verification] 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

Aircraft at the museum

• 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

1. Sereque, Art. "A Brief History". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
2. "Vintage Aircraft on Display". Times-Press. AP. 27 October 1994. p. 11. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
3. Grady, William (9 February 1997). "Aviation Museum's Near Miss". Chicago Tribune. pp. 1, 6. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
4. Caricato, Vic. "Wild About Wildcats". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
5. Pesavento, Mark (24 August 1997). "Hero's Welcome". Chicago Tribune. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
6. Kath, Rod. "Aurora Here We Come". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
7. Van Matre, Lynn (23 December 1999). "One-Time Car Shop to Become Museum". Chicago Tribune. p. 2. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
8. Pierce, Gala M. (21 September 1998). "Women in Flight Exhibit to Get Off the Ground". Daily Herald. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
9. "Bell UH-1H Iroquois A.K.A. Huey". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
10. "Curtiss-Wright Corp P-40 Warhawk (Replica)". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
11. "McDonnell-Douglas F-4B Phantom II". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
12. "McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
13. "Ling-Temco-Vought A-7E Corsair II". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
14. "Bayerische Fleugwerke Messerschmitt Bf-109 (Replica)". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
15. "North American Aviation P-51D Mustang (Replica)". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
16. "North American RF-86F Sabre". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
17. "North American T-39 Sabreliner". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
18. "Republic Aviation F-105D Thunderchief". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
19. "Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Replica)". Air Classics Museum of Aviation. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
20. Alleman, Annie (17 June 2016). "Have Some Fun with Dad on Father's Day". Beacon-News. p. 3. Retrieved 27 November 2023.

External links

• Official website