March Field Air Museum

It's An

Airshow

Everyday!

EXPLORE humanity's reach for the skies, and the pivotal role of Riverside's historic March Field in the development of flight. SEE early aircraft including the 1903 pioneer which launched the era of powered flight, World War II  bombing icons and Cold War fighters, an MQ-1 Predator. and more. FIND something for everyone in your family at the March Field Air Museum. Open Tuesday through Sunday year-round!

Every Second Saturday, we feature a different aircraft during Up-Close Aircraft Days. And through early October 2018, tour "March of Flight: A Century of Service," an all-new photography exhibit commemorating March Field's (today's March Air Reserve Base) 2018 Centennial through 100 years of compelling imagery. 

Up-Close Aircraft Day

Saturday, October 13th

WWI Army Air Corps Trainer

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This month’s “Up-Close Aircraft Day” featured aircraft will be the Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny,” a single-engine training aircraft used by the U.S. military in the late 1910s and 1920s. The JN-4 was widely used during World War I to train beginning U.S. Army Air Corps pilots. Guests will have the opportunity to tour this aircraft from 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., families with young children are invited to create their very own “Airplane” in a participatory craft-making session. And at 12 noon and again at 2 p.m., an illustrated presentation by George Konrad will highlight the JN-4 Jenny aircraft. 

The approximately 30-minute presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. George Konrad is an amateur military historian, and has lectured many times, on aerospace and military subjects. He served for twenty years in the Auxiliary of the US Air Force, as an Aerospace Education officer, and was also search and rescue mission qualified. Having received his love of flying from his father, a WWI pilot, George hopes to pass these feelings on to his audience. 

The day’s featured aircraft is an especially fitting one for the Up-Close Aircraft Day program. Nicknamed the “Jenny” as a derivation from its official JN designation, this aircraft was a twin-seat (student in front of instructor), dual-control biplane. Its top speed of 75 mph, service ceiling of 6,500 feet and outstanding maneuverability made it ideal for initial pilot training. Quite possibly North America's most famous World War I aircraft, some 95 percent of all U.S. military aviation trainees during “The Great War” are estimated to have trained on a Curtiss JN-4. With deployment limited to North American military bases (including some in Canada), none saw combat service during the WWI.

RIVERSIDE'S TOP-RATED ATTRACTION!   

We are currently featuring the special exhibit "March of Flight: Saluting a Century of Service" (March Field/March Air Reserve Base) through October 7, 2018.