Aircraft. They stand as silent sentinels of innovation at the Gillespie Field Annex. This annex is an extension of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. It is located in El Cajon, California. Here, the museum showcases its ever-growing collection. The Gillespie Field Annex acts as both exhibit space and restoration facility.
From a small one-hangar beginning, the Gillespie Field Annex has grown. It has become an integral part of the Museum’s aircraft program. The facility is primarily staffed by volunteers. They produce some of SDASM’s finest work.
Let’s take a closer look. You’ll see a diverse array of aircraft. Military jets stand alongside private sport planes. Small racing aircraft fill the space. It’s a testament to aviation’s varied history.
The Gillespie Field Annex is on the north side of Gillespie Field. New additions include the S-3 Viking. Also new are the P2 Neptune and Baron Hilton’s Staggerwing. These aircraft add to the annex’s appeal.
The restoration shop buzzes with activity. Skilled volunteers repair historic aircraft. They also build authentic reproductions. Current projects include the Boeing FB5 and Aeronca L-3.
The Gillespie Field Annex is open to the public. You can visit Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is $10 for those 12 years and up. It costs $5 for children under 12. Children under 2 get in free.
Parking is available for various vehicles. This includes cars, motorcycles, buses, RVs, and even aircraft. Contact the museum for details on specialized parking.
The museum offers a gift shop. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase. There is also a picnic area outside. Enjoy a relaxing meal surrounded by aviation history.
One of the coolest free attractions in San Diego is located in East County at Gillespie Field. That’s where you’ll find the annex of Balboa Park’s famous Air and Space Museum.
Some of the featured aircraft and spacecraft here include Convair F-102A Delta Dagger. Others are Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15bis and Bleriot XI. You can also see a Grumman F-14 Tomcat and Lockheed P-2 Neptune. Douglas A2D Skyshark and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon are present. Bell UH-1 Iroquois and Ryan X-13 Vertijet are also on display. There is a Hawker Siddeley AV-8A Harrier and Boeing FB-5 Hawk. Also you can find Ryan PT-22 Recruit and WACO YKS-7. Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk, SM-65 Atlas, and Lockheed S-3 Viking are present. North American F-86F Sabre and Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis are here too.
An F-14 Tomcat from the annex was used in Top Gun: Maverick. It appeared in ground scenes during filming.
The Gillespie Field Annex. It is more than just a storage facility. It’s a living, breathing testament to aviation history. It’s a place where the past takes flight.