Port Townsend Aero Museum

History and Location

Located in the charming town of Port Townsend, Washington, the Port Townsend Aero Museum offers aviation enthusiasts a unique glimpse into the rich history of general aviation and military aircraft. Founded in 2001 by Jerry and Peggy Thoutte, this museum sits on the north-east tip of the scenic Olympic Peninsula, approximately 50 miles from Seattle. The journey to the museum from Seattle includes a picturesque ferry ride across Puget Sound, setting the tone for a memorable visit.

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Museum Collection

Originally located in several hangars at the airport, the museum moved into a modern, purpose-built facility in 2008. The Port Townsend Aero Museum, a nonprofit institution , boasts a collection of approximately 25 classic general aviation aircraft, primarily from the 1930s and 1940s, along with a selection of military trainers.

Port Townsend Aero Museum

Beech Staggerwing

Among the museum’s standout exhibits is a red Beech C17B Staggerwing. This aircraft earned its nickname due to the unique arrangement of its wings, where the top wing is slightly behind the bottom wing. The Staggerwing is frequently listed among the world’s most beautiful airplanes.

1937 Beech C17B Staggerwing

CallAir A-2 and Flying Saucers

Another fascinating aircraft in the collection is a 1949 CallAir A-2. Designed as a utility plane by the Call brothers, Wyoming ranchers, this model gained notoriety when Kenneth Arnold flew a similar aircraft during his alleged sighting of flying saucers near Mount Rainier in 1947. Arnold’s descriptions led the press to coin the term “flying saucer.”

1949 CallAir A-2

Recent Additions

In 2018, the Port Townsend Aero Museum received a significant boost to its collection when the North Cascades Vintage Aircraft Museum in Concrete, Washington, closed its doors. Eleven aircraft in various stages of restoration were donated to the museum. Some of these donated planes have been fully restored and are now on display, including a yellow Rose Parakeet, a Fairchild 22 Model C7B, and a Fairchild PT-19B.

1940 Fairchild M62 PT-19

Boeing P-12C Replica

One notable donation is a ¾ replica of a 1929 Boeing P-12C. Also known as the Boeing F4B, the P-12 was the primary fighter/bomber aircraft in American service between the two world wars. Numerous variants were developed, including a carrier-based model that served with the U.S. Navy.

1929 Boeing P-12C replica

Youth Program

The Port Townsend Aero Museum is also renowned for its youth program, which offers mentorship and flight training in exchange for volunteer work at the museum. Participants in this program have contributed to the renovation of several aircraft in the museum’s collection, including a 1928 Travel Air 2000, a 1943 Aeronca L3 Grasshopper, and a 1946 Aeronca 7AC Champ.

1928 Travel Air 2000

Exciting Expansion

The museum has recently completed an expansion project that will allow it to bring more of its aircraft out of storage. Once restored, these planes will be displayed alongside the existing collection, providing visitors with an even richer experience.