Boron Aerospace Museum

Location and History

Nestled in the small desert town of Boron, California, the Boron Aerospace Museum may not be widely known, but it offers an interesting glimpse into aviation history.

Located about 125 miles northeast of Los Angeles, this museum was originally named the Saxon Aerospace Museum to honor Colonel Vernon P. Saxon Jr. The museum opened its doors in 2003 and has since become an interesting spot to visit for aviation enthusiasts.

Boron Aerospace Museum

Preserving Local Aerospace History

The primary goal of the Boron Aerospace Museum is to protect, preserve, and display the rich history of aerospace research conducted in the nearby colloquially named “Aerospace Valley”. The museum’s indoor collection is a testament to this mission, showcasing artifacts related to significant aviation events tied to Edwards Air Force Base and NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center.

Boron Aerospace Museum

Indoor Exhibits

Visitors to the museum can marvel at a variety of indoor exhibits. One standout is the XLR-8 Rocket Engine, which powered the Navy D-558 Skyrocket. There is also a Rolls-Royce engine from the McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk trainer aircraft and was used for teaching at the nearby Antelope Valley College in Lancaster. Further, aviation buffs will appreciate the wooden, single-seat, homebuilt aircraft called the Turner T-40A/B.

Boron Aerospace Museum

Another intriguing exhibit is the Saab J-35 Draken Simulator. This simulator was once used to train pilots at the National Test Pilot School, the only civilian test-pilot school in the United States, located in Mojave, California. Additionally, the collection includes the original skis from the Richard E. Byrd expedition to Antarctica. These skis were used on the Ford Trimotor plane that flew over the South Pole in 1929.

Ford Trimotor’s skis and seats from Richard E. Byrd expedition to Antarctica

Outdoor Displays

The museum’s outdoor displays are equally noteworthy. They feature a McDonnell F-4D Phantom II, a Saab TF-35 Draken, a Denney Kitfox XL, a Pietenpol Air Camper, and a Wise RW 500.

The Boron Aerospace Museum may be small, but it packs a punch when it comes to showcasing aviation history. So next time you find yourself in the vicinity of Boron, don’t miss the chance to explore this little gem.

Saab TF-35 Draken

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