Oregon Military History Museums

The Oregon Aviation Historical Society’s mission is to “collect, preserve, and restore Oregon related aviation artifacts for interpretive and educational display to insure the preservation of Oregon’s rich aviation heritage for future generations.” The museum houses some very unique pieces in their hangars as well as being the home to the Oregon Aviation Hall of Fame. The museum houses more than 5 home built aircraft that exhibit the exhilaration story of experimental aircraft and their impact on American avation history. Aside from the finished aircraft on display, the organization is constantly working on new restorations. For those looking for volunteer opportunities, the Oregon Aviation Historical Society is constantly looking for skilled volunteers. Be sure to swing by and check out everything they have to offer or visit their social media channels for some great updates! An important note, private tours can be made available on request. As usual, we recommend checking the museum’s website hours prior to traveling long distances for a visit. Check out the video introduction from their youtube channel below!!

PT658 was originally scheduled to serve in Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 45, assigned to the Pacific theater. However the squadron was never commissioned and just prior to war’s end PT658 along with eleven sister boats, PT649 through 660, were rescheduled for Lend-lease to the Russia. Fortunately for today’s PT boat fans and enthusiasts, the war’s end cancelled the Lend-lease’s transfer of the final four boats to Russia, with PT658 being one of the four....PT658 was used by the Navy until 1958 for missile test range picket duty, engineering development of radars for air launched missiles, and to resupply a USAF radar station on Santa Rosa Island. In the Santa Rosa role PT658 would run approximately 150 hours per month on 3 weekly round trips transporting supplies and personnel.Upon release from Naval service in 1958, PT658 was purchased by an individual in the Oakland, Ca. area who converted it into a pleasure boat and installed diesel engines. PT658 was renamed as the "Dolphin" and eventually fell into disrepair until it was donated to the Portland PT veterans by the family who owned it.... The goal of Save the PT Boat Inc. is to restore the PT658 back to her "as-built" condition which can then be used as a living history display.This is an excerpt from the organizations website. You can follow the links below to contact them and organize tours and rides!

The ship was decommissioned in October 1990. It was opened to the public in May 1994 at OMSI, and is on permanent display at OMSI’s dock on the east side of the Willamette River. Visitors can climb aboard the sub and experience what life was like for the 85 men who lived and worked on the boat. 40-minute tours occur throughout the day, and include a behind-the-scenes look at how a submarine dives, produces its own electricity and fresh water, and stays submerged for months at a time. Highlights of the tour include a look at the engine room, the radio room, the control room and attack center, the crew quarters, and the escape and torpedo-loading trunk. A more technical tour of the sub takes place on the first Sunday of every month. The purpose of the two-hour “Guided Tech Tour,” guided by an ex-submariner, is to give visitors a comprehensive technical look into the workings of the submarine. Kids can also spend the night onboard the sub, as part of OMSI’s camp-in program. Students from elementary through middle school sleep in the crews’ bunks, after they explore the control room, peer through a periscope, check out the engine room and set a course to carry out a top-secret mission. The Blueback also features a volunteer HAM radio station (W7SUB) operated by retired Navy veterans. They communicate with other HAM radio operators throughout the world. OMSI hosts two memorials for submariners on eternal patrol. One is a permanent memorial plaque for submarine veterans of WWII and is located at the entrance to the ramp leading to the dock. The other is the propeller (screw) from the Blueback, surrounded by 67 bricks, each engraved with the name and date of a lost U.S. submarine. It is located on the river walkway in front of the museum. In 2014 OMSI’s sub volunteers were honored with an award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Oregon and SW Chapter) for their tireless dedication. (This description has been provided word for word courtesy of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)

The Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM) has one of the largest collections of antique aircraft and vehicles. This museum offers just as much enjoyment for the aviation and classic car enthusiast alike. One of the most impressive feats of this museum is how many of their aircraft and vehicles are still operational! The collections at WAAAM are not specific to military but do have plenty for the military history enthusiast. Aside from seeing their collections, you can also find many of the vehicles out at local parades or flyovers. The vehicles in operation range from World War 2, through Korea, and into the Vietnam era. Some exceptionally noteworthy aircraft on display are their Sopwith Pup, Fairchild trainer, and Piper Grasshoppers, and other small recon / liaison aircraft. There are some other lesser known aircraft that might pique the curiosity as well such as their Franklin PS-2 Glider. For an extra exceptional experience, check out the museum on the second Saturday of the month and get the chance to take a drive in one of their vehicles.