Ed Stapleton, born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1923, is currently a docent at LyonAir Museum. This World War II veteran’s harrowing experiences as a pilot andprisoner of war (POW) in Germany during the war is remarkable for the extremeviolence he endured, as well as some unusual personal encounters.

In 1942, Stapleton volunteered to join the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC), theforerunner of the U.S. Air Force. As an aviation cadet, he went to Lakeland,Fla., for primary flying school and Continue reading →

B-25 pilot and Lyon Air Museum docent, Ken Pruitt,  made his best landing when it really counted… without landing gear, in the middle of the Pacific.

Continue reading →

Lyon Air Museum Partners with Newport-Mesa Sixth grade curriculum launches in September

General William Lyon’s passions for preserving the greatest generation in aviation and for youth education are the driving forces behind Lyon Air Museum. As a result, aviation history will be brought to life for students throughout the Newport Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD).

Bonnie Swann, Executive Director of Elementary Education and Student Services, has taken the lead on developing a curriculum, which will be integrated into NMUSD in September 2011. Continue reading →

Lyon Air Museum has joined forces with Families Forward, an Irvine-based nonprofit organization, to support the group’s annual Holidays Gift Drive for local families in need. The goal is to provide gifts— toys, books, games, gas and grocery cards, etc.—to bring thousands of children and their parents a Happy Holidays.

The Museum, a premier Southern California showcase for vintage military aircraft and automobiles, welcomes gift donations through Sun., Dec. 12, 2010. Each visitor bringing one or more new presents—unwrapped, store-packaged, minimum value $10—will receive free admission. The goal is to “Jam the Jeep”— pack one or more of the Museum’s 1.25-ton 1940s Ford GPW Military Jeeps with loads of toys and gifts. Continue reading →