A Dollar Deal Rescues Oregon’s Historic WWII Blimp Hangar
A cherished part of American aviation history has been thrown a lifeline — for a mere one dollar. The Port of Tillamook Bay Commissioners in Oregon have given unanimous approval to a term sheet for the land lease and future sale of the iconic WWII-era Hangar B — the dwelling of the Tillamook Air Museum — to the Vintage Aviation Museum, a Utah-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The colossal blimp hangar was compelled to shut down after a catastrophic December 2025 windstorm ripped a 200-foot-long hole in its metal roof, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the museum’s future. The nominal $1 sale price mirrors the substantial investment Vintage Aviation Museum has pledged to make in repairing and rejuvenating the 83-year-old structure. As per the agreement, a 25-year land lease will commence in 2028 at an approximate cost of $100,000 annually, with the option of two additional 25-year renewals.
The President of Vintage Aviation Museum, Sean O’Brien, has set an ambitious target of reopening the museum to the public within 60 days, even before the completion of roof repairs. The organization also has plans to relocate most of its own historic aircraft collection to Tillamook. Notably, despite the shift in ownership, the institution will continue to operate under the Tillamook Air Museum name.
Source: The Spokesman-Review – A $1 Deal Could Save Tillamook’s Iconic WWII Blimp Hangar