Tillamook Air Museum Acquires Ryan PT-22 Recruit

An immaculately restored Ryan PT-22 Recruit has just joined the Tillamook Air Museum following a move from its former home at the Pearson Air Museum in Vancouver, Washington. Ryan Aeronautical constructed this aircraft at their factory in San Diego, California, completing its manufacture on May 29th, 1941. The aircraft joined the U.S. Army Air Forces as serial number 41-1936 on July 12th, 1941. It served in the primary training role at various locations in the United States during WWII. While it’s immediate post-war history is presently unknown, the aircraft did join the U.S. civil register as N48778 on Jun 18th, 1956, a registration it has retained ever since. The aircraft’s airworthiness certificate was cancelled in mid-July, 2013, just a few months after it went on display at the Pearson Air Museum, which is situated at Pearson Field, one of the oldest continuously operated airports in the United States.

The Historic Trust, which runs the Pearson Field Education Centre, amongst other cultural heritage sites in Vancouver, Washington, is revamping the centre for its reopening in the new year. As part of the renovations, the PT-22 became surplus to the Trusts needs, and this prompted its recent donation to the Tillamook Air Museum. Located at former Naval Air Station Tillamook, in Tillamook, Oregon, this museum is situated within a gigantic wooden hangar which once housed up to eight U.S. Navy K-Class blimps.

Remarking on the donation, Tillamook Air Museum’s curator, Christian Gurling, noted: “We are thrilled that our visitors will have the opportunity to see such an iconic training aircraft of the 1940’s, an aircraft that helped pilots hone their aviation skills, allowing them to prepare to meet the threat of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan head-on!”

Tillamook’s hangar is historic in its own right, as described by the museum below…

Moreno Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

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