Friends of Tillamook Air Museum

Hangar B is an engineering marvel and an important piece of Americana history. It is one of only 7 wooden hangars of its kind left, and it's the only one regularly open to the public and is home to the Tillamook Air Museum- whose mission is to interpret, preserve, educate, and honor the history of Naval Air Station Tillamook, U.S history, and both military and civilian aviation history.

History of Hangar B

After Pearl Harbor, the U.S entered World War II and implemented the "Lighter than Air" program as homeland security and anti-submarine patrol. This program was centered around using dirigibles or blimps to help communicate to and escort convoys safely. The K-Class blimps used by the U.S Navy were 252ft long, stood 80ft tall, and required a larger-than-life hangar to house them. Hangar B and its sister Hangar A (lost to fire in 1992) were built to house the Navy Squadron ZP-33. After the war, both hangars and the surrounding area were deeded back to Tillamook Co. and were used for various farming and industrial purposes over the years. It wasn't until the mid-1990's when a group of aircraft enthusiast started the museum inside Hangar B, and it has evolved into the museum it is today.

Hangar B is nearing it's 80th birthday, and with any wooden structure of that age, it needs some TLC. We have several significant infrastructure projects that need attention to help Hangar B stand for another 80 + years.

Immediate Fundraising Needs:

50K - Capacity building- our friends group needs funding to help with administrative tasks including promotion of Hangar B, hosting/scheduling events, managing donations, recruiting volunteers and members, along with other clerical tasks.

200K- Structural assessment- The building was last evaluated in 2011, we feel an up-to-date study with an emphasis on areas of priority to accurately assess engineering and structural needs of the building is key to successfully restoring Hangar B.

500K - Monitor ventilation restoration- We have secured and completed an engineering SOW that included estimated costs of about 500K for material and labor to complete this project.

1.5M- Upper crown re-roof- estimated 80-90% of the water penetration is at the transition of rolled roofing material and corrugated metal, re-roofing this section will greatly increase the lifespan of the building. We have received several SOWs on this project to help us understand the scope and cost.

250K- Future project planning- The listed projects are noted to be the top priority of Hangar B's restoration, but there are many more projects we'll have to start planning for including the restoration of the box beams and replacement/removal of the corrugated metal, among other unknown needs at this time.

Helping save this unique piece of American history will ensure future generations to come will have an opportunity to learn about the Lighter Than Air Program during World War II and all the efforts the servicemen and women went through to help protect or country and our freedoms.

The Friends of Tillamook Air Museum are a 501(c)3 non-profit for more information www.friendsoftillamookairmuseum.org