Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California

Castle Air Force Base History

The Army Air Corps Basic Flying School in Merced, CA, opened in September 1941, one of the many such fields built around the country to meet the needs of the Army's Pilot Training Program. It was later known as Merced Army Airfield, and in 1946 it was renamed Castle Air Force Base in honor of Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle.

Over the years the base was home to a number of bombers, including the B-29, B-36, B-47 and B-52, and supporting aerial tankers such as the KC-135. The base was closed in 1995, and today is known as the Castle Airport Aviation and Development Center.

Castle Air Museum

A group of dedicated enthusiasts in the Atwater-Merced area formed the Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc. which is now a non-profit organization. Its purpose is to build a facility in which faithfully restored historic aircraft could be exhibited for public enjoyment.

It opened in 1981, on a site adjacent to the former Castle Air Force Base. Most of the workers there are volunteers, and the small admission charge helps defray restoration and maintenance projects. Although most of the aircraft on display belong to the U.S. Air Force Museum, it does not provide any funds for maintenance and repair.

Highlights of Aircraft at the Castle Air Museum

Today, the collection includes 54 restored World War II, Korean War, and Cold War era aircraft.

B-29A Superfortress "Raz'n Hell" (Staff Photo)

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
North American B-25J Mitchell
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Convair RB-36H Peacemaker
North American B-45 Tornado
Boeing B-47 Stratojet
Boeing B-52D Stratofortress
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star
Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
North American F-86 Sabre
Northrup F-89 Scorpion
North American F-100 Super Sabre
McDonnell F-101 Voodoo
Convair F-102 Delta Dagger
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
Republic F-105 Thunderchief
General Dynamics FB-111 Aardvark
McDonnell F-4E Phantom II
Grumman F-14D Tomcat
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
C-47 Skytrain
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Lockheed C-46 Lodestar
Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker
and many others

Visiting the Castle Air Museum

At the Museum you can actually get up close to the planes, and touch them! To make the experience even more personal, they even schedule “Open Cockpit” days during the Memorial Day weekend; other special events are scheduled during the year.

The Convair B-36 on display is one of only four remaining “Peacemakers”. While studying and photographing the B-36 during our visit, a volunteer drove up in a golf cart. He was a pilot on KC-97 and KC-135 aircraft, stationed at Castle AFB, and was a wealth of aeronautical history, and enthusiasm!

The outdoor plane galleries cover 11 acres, and indoor exhibits features photographs, uniforms, and other war memorabilia.

It is open daily year-round (weather permitting), except for New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The airplanes are outside, so prepare in advance if the weather is rainy, cold, hot or windy.

Don’t miss this fine collection of American air power!

Aerial view of the Castle Air Museum

Boeing B-47E Stratojet S/N 52-0166

Convair RB36 Peacemaker S/N 51-13730

B-29A "Raz'n Hell" at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California
Composite aircraft built from three airframes:
B-29-75-BW 44-70064 ; B-29A-35-BN 44-61535 (the original Raz'n Hell); and B-29-50-BA 44-84084.
displayed as S/N 44-61535

B-25J Mitchell "Lazy Daisy Mae" S/N 44-86891