The Tillamook Air Museum: Aviation History Inside an Oregon Giant
Driving along Highway 101 just south of Tillamook, where dairy farms spread across the valley and the smell of sea air rolls in from the bay, you suddenly see it: a colossal wooden hangar rising like a mountain above the pastures. At first glance it looks almost out of place—a structure so massive it could swallow the entire downtown of some coastal towns. But this enormous curved building is part of Oregon’s World War II history, and today it houses one of the most unique aviation museums in the Pacific Northwest: the Tillamook Air Museum.
Whether you’re a history buff, an aviation enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates roadside Americana, the Tillamook Air Museum is a must-stop destination on any coastal road trip.
A Colossal Relic of WWII
The museum is housed in Hangar B, a structure built in 1942 when the U.S. Navy established Naval Air Station Tillamook as part of its coastal defense system. The base was home to K-class blimps, massive airships used for submarine patrols along the Pacific during WWII.
Two blimp hangars were originally constructed, but Hangar A was destroyed in a 1992 fire, making Hangar B the sole survivor—and today, it stands as one of the largest free-standing wooden structures in the world.
To understand the scale:
- 1,072 feet long
- 192 feet tall
- 296 feet wide
- Over 7 acres of indoor floor space
Walking inside feels like entering a cathedral of timber—arches soaring overhead, light filtering through the wooden ribs, and the distant echo of your own footsteps. The building alone is worth the visit.
The Museum’s Aircraft Collection
Inside this enormous space is a rotating collection of aircraft, vehicles, engines, and aviation memorabilia. The lineup varies year to year, but common highlights include:
Historic Military Aircraft
- P-51 Mustang replica – a tribute to one of WWII’s most legendary fighters
- F-14 Tomcat – the iconic twin-engine supersonic Navy jet
- A-7 Corsair II – a Vietnam-era attack aircraft known for precision strike capability
- Early training aircraft used by pilots during the mid-20th century
Civilian and Experimental Aircraft
You may see vintage biplanes, early sport aircraft, and experimental designs that show the creativity of the early aviation age.
Engines and Restored Components
Engine exhibits let you get up close to radial and jet engines, offering a look at how power and aerodynamics evolved through the decades.
Blimp and NAS Tillamook History
Interactive displays explore how the base operated during WWII:
- Crews lived on-site
- Blimps lifted off on submarine-hunting missions
- The hangars stored weather balloons, aircraft, and supplies
- The station played a major role in protecting coastal shipping lanes
The Miniature Aviation Museum
One beloved feature is the huge scale-model aircraft collection, with thousands of models carefully painted and displayed in glass cases. Kids and adults alike can spend ages studying the fine details—from WWII bombers to modern jets.
Stepping Back in Time
A visit to the Tillamook Air Museum feels less like a polished, corporate attraction and more like stumbling upon a hidden piece of living history. The museum embraces its slightly raw, industrial atmosphere. The giant wooden beams, the smell of aged lumber, the echoes, the sheer cavernous space—it all adds to the authenticity.
This is a museum that still feels like a hangar, not a gallery.
Special Exhibits and Events
The museum frequently hosts:
- Rotating restoration projects
- Temporary exhibits on military history or aviation technology
- Veteran-focused events
- Educational programs for scouts and school groups
- Car shows and community gatherings in the massive open floor space
Its role as both a museum and a community hub makes it one of Tillamook’s most engaging attractions.
The Outdoor Display Area
Don’t miss the aircraft outside the hangar, where you can view:
- Larger planes awaiting restoration
- Firefighting aircraft
- Rescue helicopters
- Historical vehicles
The museum is very photo-friendly—massive machinery surrounded by the green Tillamook countryside makes for striking images.
The Air Museum Café and Gift Shop
Inside the hangar is a small café—perfect for a quick bite between exhibits. With its aviation-themed décor and views of the hangar interior, it’s a fun spot to refuel.
The gift shop includes:
- Aviation books
- WWII memorabilia
- Model kits
- Kids’ pilot gear
- Oregon Coast souvenirs
A Look at Hangar B From the Pasture
Before or after your visit, step outside or take a short drive around the building’s exterior. Seeing this wooden giant from the countryside provides a sense of scale that photos never capture. In the morning mist or during Oregon’s moody winter rain, the hangar looks especially dramatic—an immense wartime relic rising out of dairy pastures.
Visitor Information
- Location: Just south of Tillamook on Highway 101
- Parking: Large, easy to access
- Hours: Vary seasonally (check before you go)
- Accessibility: Mostly flat, wide floors—good for wheelchairs and strollers
- Time Needed: 1–2 hours for the exhibits; more for aviation fans
- Best Time to Visit: Fall and winter are quieter, summer brings larger groups
Nearby Attractions
Combine your museum visit with:
- Tillamook Creamery – famous cheese, ice cream, and a fun visitor center
- Cape Meares Lighthouse & Wildlife Refuge – incredible coastal views
- Munson Creek Falls – one of the tallest waterfalls in the Coast Range
- Tillamook Bay – fishing, kayaking, and wildlife watching
- Blue Heron French Cheese Company – deli, samples, farm animals
The air museum is perfectly placed as part of a full Tillamook day trip.
A Timeless Landmark
The Tillamook Air Museum isn’t just about airplanes—it’s about the people who built them, flew them, repaired them, and relied on them during some of America’s most pivotal moments. It’s about a time when giant wooden structures rose from Oregon soil to protect the Pacific Coast. And it’s about the unusual ways history lingers—in this case, inside one of the world’s biggest wooden buildings.
