Gift of Rare Vintage Airplane to Launch Great Park Military Museum

JANUARY 31, 2008 – IRVINE, California – Today, the Orange County Great Park Board Corporation welcomed the gift of a vintage 1943 Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Airplane from The Aviator Underwriters of Dallas, Texas. The Ventura PV-1 is a rare specially designed night flight spy plane. It once flew out of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station specifically linking it to El Toro, Orange County and the community.

The Ventura PV-1 airplane gifted to the Great Park was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. It became the property of the Aviator Underwriters of Dallas, Texas after the claim was paid. The Underwriters, knowing the rare significance of the plane, decided to donate it to the Great Park, instead of scrapping it for parts, which is most often the case. The plane is currently being dismantled and transported to a hanger at the Orange County Great Park for restoration. It is currently in New Orleans.

“The Aviator Underwriters of Dallas, Texas are to be commended for gifting this rare plane for historic preservation to the Great Park,” said Larry Agran, Chair, Orange County Great Park Board Corporation. “The plane is now back home. It will become the foundation of a collection of specialized aircraft for the Great Park Military Museum.

Both the Marines and Army Air Forces flew the Ventura PV-1 during World War II. Only 3,000 Ventura PV-1 planes were sold in the United States and abroad.

The gift of the Ventura PV-1 to the Great Park will begin the military aircraft display for the Great Park. A military airplane display and military museum are both key elements of the Great Park Master Plan.
The Orange County Great Park, which is almost twice the size of Central Park, will be a major metropolitan park and the focal point of the redevelopment of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro. The Great Park will include extensive natural areas and open space in addition to recreational and cultural uses.

Press Contacts:
Maryann Maloney
(949) 375-0856