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    Chino Airport (Cal-Aero Field, Chino Army Air Field) California United States
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Justin Taylan 2004
Location
Lat 33° 58' 29N Long 117° 38' 12W  Chino Airport is located at an elevation of 652' above sea level to the east of Chino in San Bernardino County of southern California in the United States of America (USA). Prewar known as Cal Aero Academy. During World War II known as Chino Army Air Field (Chino AAF). Today known as Chino Airport.

Construction
Built prewar as a civilian airport known as Cal Aero Field with "Cal Aero Academy" a private flight school.

Wartime History
During World War II, Cal Aero Field was taken over by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and became known as Chino Army Air Field (Chino AAF) and was used as a training facility for pilot training.

Postwar
At the end of World War II, Chino Field became a bone yard area for outdoor storage and scrapping for surplus military aircraft administered by the War Assets Administration (WAA) and Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC). In outdoor storage were

During 1946, the bone yard area and scrapyard at Chino Field were used as filming locations for the Hollywood film The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) showing parked fighters and bombers including P-39 Airacobras and B-17 Flying Fortresses.

Between 1964-1967 Cal-Aero Field was used as a filming location for the television series 12 O'Clock High (1964-1967) portraying fictional Archbury Army Air Field. In the early 1970s, the airport became the center of the Southern California warbird restoration movement, with several museums and restoration facilities based at Chino Airport.

Today
Still in use today as Chino Airport as a civilian airport with three runways. The first is oriented 21/03 measures 6,023' x 150' surfaced with asphalt. The second is oriented 26L/08R measures 7,000' x 150' surfaced with asphalt. The third is oriented 26R/08L measures 4,858' x 150' surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes: FAA: CNO, IATA: CNO.

Planes of Fame Museum (The Air Museum)
the oldest private warbird museum west of the Mississippi River founded by Edward Maloney

Yanks Air Museum (Yankee Air Museum)
Private Museum with restoration facility and aircraft collection

Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation (MACR)
Founded by David Tallichet as Yesterday's Air Force (YAF) and became Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation.

References
County of San Bernardino Department of Airports - Chino Airport
Aerovintage The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Thanks to Edward Maloney and David Tallichet for additional information

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Last Updated
April 19, 2021

 

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