Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California, will combine a P-38 Lightning flight demonstration, historical presentations, and its ninth annual Ed Maloney Scale Model Contest on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Doors open at 9 a.m., with regular admission in effect.
Visitors Become the Judges
Honoring the museum’s founder and his lifelong interest in model building, the contest gives visitors a role in choosing the winners. Voting runs from 9 to 11 a.m., with guests placing colored stickers beside their favorite entries. The competition welcomes museum members, Model Room donors, volunteers, and Junior Modeler Club members. Its six divisions include two junior aircraft categories, two adult aircraft categories, armor and military vehicles, and a new diorama category. Junior aircraft entries are divided into ages 11 and younger and ages 12–17, while adult categories separate beginning and intermediate builders from those with six or more years of experience. Entrants may submit up to three models they built themselves. Ribbons recognize the top three entries in each division, with additional recognition on the Ed Maloney Contest Trophy. Complete rules and registration information are available on the contest page.
Hangar Talk Begins at 10:30 a.m.
Retired Boeing engineer David Palmer will conclude his aircraft survivability series with the C-17. David Michaels will portray Kelly Johnson in a presentation about P-38 development, joined by Robert Tidwell as General Douglas MacArthur. Six-time contest winner Brian Thomason will discuss model building through a recent project. Daniel Bermudez and Brian Finnegan will share three veterans’ stories ahead of Veterans Day.
A Lightning Takes Flight
The P-38 program starts at 12:15 p.m. with an aircraft introduction and engine start. A scheduled 20-minute flying display follows, with an opportunity to question the pilot afterward. A museum members’ raffle will offer a flight in a WWII trainer. Visitors can also explore a collection spanning aviation’s earliest years through WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Many aircraft have been restored to flying condition, and the museum’s B-17 Flying Fortress is open for visitors to enter on weekends. General admission is $20, children ages five–11 are $10, and children four and younger enter free. Museum members also receive free admission. For the complete November 7 schedule, visit the museum’s event page.
