Categories: Feel Good StuffVintage Motorcycle

The Lyon Air Museum

This is a cool story. Good buddy Mike was visiting us here in Leftist Lunacy Land (i.e., the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia, where I hang my hat) and we thought we were running out of things to do. Sue hopped on the Internet and found the Lyon Air Museum near John Wayne Airport in Orange County. I’d never heard of the place, but it was awesome. As expected, the Museum had the obligatory collection of restored World War II aircraft, but (to my surprise) the place also housed a great collection of vintage motorcycles and more than a few interesting cars. Take a look at the motorcycles.

1945 Indian 340B as used by the US Army.

1943 German NSU Kettenkrad HK 101 Tracked Motorcycle.

1943 Japanese Rikuo Motorcycle and Sidecar.

A 1931 Panther Motorcycle with sidecar.

A German BMW.

1943 BMW R75 with Sidecar.

A 1921 Harley.

An Indian V-twin.

A Russian M-72.

A 750cc German Zundapp, another motorcycle used by Germany in World War II.

The Museum was founded by Major General William Lyon, an entrepreneur and civic leader based in southern California. The William H. Lyon Company is one of the largest real estate developers in the world. General Lyon died a few years ago at age 97.

A view from the Museum’s balcony.

There are many interesting aircraft on display inside the Museum. One of the coolest exhibits was outside the display area, however, on the tarmac just outside. That’s the highly-polished B-25 that was General Lyon’s personal aircraft.

On the tarmac, just outside the display area.

Fantastic nose art.

The Lyon Air Museum is located at 19300 Ike Jones Road in Santa Ana, California. You can learn more about the Lyon Air Museum here. Trust me on this: It’s worth the ride. You’ll have a good time.

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Joe Berk