6th of June, 2026
Planes of Fame Air Museum is proud to present the Flight of the Boeing P-26A “Peashooter” along with our 1936 Fairchild 24C-8F Executive Touring Airplane and our Beech D17S “Staggerwing” at our Monthly Event this Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The world’s only flying P-26A, this international treasure will be making her final scheduled flight over the skies of Chino. In the coming months, she’ll be moved to her new home at the Museum’s Santa Maria location.
Doors to the Museum open at 9:00am and Members are always admitted FREE!
“Hangar Talk” will kick-off at 10:30am with a special line-up of presentations focused on the Golden Age of Flight (1919-1939).
At 12:15pm, directly in front of the crowd, the three aircraft will fire up engines, taxi away, and then put on an aerial display overhead for twenty minutes.
This is your chance to see history take to the skies on Saturday, June 6, 2026. We hope to see you all at the Museum.
Hope to see you at the Museum this Saturday!
Here’s what’s in store:
Step into the world of Ruth Rowland Nichols, a pilot whose ambition outpaced the limits of her era. From altitude records to transcontinental speed runs, Nichols pushed the boundaries of what flight could be — and what women in aviation were allowed to do. Her story is one of determination, daring, and a relentless drive to go farther.
Experience the drama of the 1936 Bendix Trophy Race through the eyes of Louise Thaden, one of aviation’s most skilled and composed competitors. Flying a Beech Staggerwing against the fastest pilots in America, Thaden delivered a performance that reshaped public perceptions of both the aircraft and the aviators who flew them.
Discover the fighter that marked America’s bold leap into the future. The Boeing P‑26 was more than a bright‑painted curiosity — it was the first step toward the streamlined, all‑metal fighters that would dominate the skies in the decades to come. This presentation explores how a small, spirited aircraft became a symbol of transformation.
We’re going to take a deep-dive into the amazing little Boeing P-26A “Peashooter.” This remarkable aircraft, featured in today’s “Flying Demo,” represents not just a feat of longevity (she’s 93 years old this year) but a turning point in aviation history. She marked the end of the days of fabric and wooden biplane fighters by heralding a new generation of all-metal, monoplane fighters. Yet she still retained much of the old in her design and ultimately, this would hold her back from military success. But she soldiered on during World War II and even into the 1950s. The Museum’s Brian Finnegan will tell us all about the design, development, and history of the Peashooters of the U.S. Army Air Corps. It’s a great way to prepare for her final Chino flight which follows “Hangar Talk.”
Long before NASA, there was the NACA — a small, brilliant team of engineers and researchers who quietly revolutionized American aviation. This first chapter in a two‑part series traces the organization’s early breakthroughs, including the development of the iconic NACA cowling, and shows how science shaped the Golden Age from behind the scenes.
We’re taking you back in time with the Hot Ramp presentation at 12:15pm of these three classic aircraft from the Golden Age. We are pleased to present the final Chino flight of the Boeing P-26A “Peashooter.” This aircraft, the only remaining flying Boeing P-26 in the world and the oldest flying aircraft in the Museum’s collection, is truly an international treasure. She has called Chino home for the past 53 years and very soon will be relocating to our new flagship facility in Santa Maria, California.
Joining her will be the Fairchild 24C-8F “Argus.” This aircraft, built in 1936 was designed as an Executive Touring Airplane – the “business jet” of the 1930s. Later, some models would also serve as wartime trainers, but today, we’re featuring this aircraft’s classic styling and elegant features as she appeared during the Great Depression.
Also flying is the recently acquired Beech D17S “Staggerwing.” Certainly one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built, the Staggerwings began production in 1932 and continued until 1945. With its unique biplane wing design, the Staggerwing is all about 1930s style.
All three aircraft will start their engines directly in front of the crowd and then taxi away. We’ll then hold our monthly Members Raffle Drawing for a flight in the Museum SNJ-5 “Texan.”
After take-off the three aircraft will put on a great aerial display overhead for twenty minutes and upon their return, guests can meet and talk to all three pilots and learn more about what it’s like to fly these legends.
Planes of Fame features some of the most famous and rarest aircraft in the world. As you walk our seven hangars, you can see these aircraft on display, watch as our teams perform routine maintenance, learn how to rivet, and get a history lesson from our Museum Guides.
We’ve got our Food Trucks on site featuring outstanding Mexican fare, coffee drinks, smoothies and a variety of frozen treats!
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