Oregon – Erickson Aircraft Collection

July 7, 2022
Air
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✈️ The Erickson Aircraft Collection, Madras, Oregon

We rolled up to the Erickson Aircraft Collection on a bright Oregon morning feeling the way you do when you’re not entirely sure what you’re about to get yourself into. The sign said aircraft museum. The building said aeroplane hangar. Both turned out to be more or less correct.

The collection was started back in 1983 by a chap called Jack Erickson — a self-made Oregon businessman who made his fortune in helicopters and then, quite sensibly, decided to spend a good chunk of it on some of the most extraordinary flying machines ever built. One does admire that sort of decision-making. He began acquiring rare warbirds at a time when most people were buying holiday homes in Florida, which says everything about the man’s priorities and, frankly, rather good taste.

🛩️ What’s Actually in There

The newly named Erickson Aircraft Collection features over twenty rare aircraft, most of which — and this is the bit that still slightly staggers us — are still in flying condition. We’re not talking static display pieces gathering dust behind a rope. These things actually fly.

The line-up reads like a Second World War enthusiast’s Christmas list. There’s the P-38 Lightning, the twin-boomed American long-range fighter that the Luftwaffe nicknamed der Gabelschwanz-Teufel — the Fork-Tailed Devil — and that gave Axis pilots considerable headaches from 1942 onwards. Next to it sits a P-51 Mustang, arguably the finest piston-engined fighter ever built, the aircraft that finally gave Allied bombers the long-range escort they desperately needed over occupied Europe. Then there’s the Ki-43 Hayabusa — Japanese for “Peregrine Falcon” — a nimble Imperial Japanese Army fighter that saw service across the Pacific and South-East Asia from 1941. Rare doesn’t begin to cover it. Finding one of these in any condition is remarkable. Finding one that flies is borderline miraculous.

The F4U Corsair is there too — that distinctive gull-winged American naval fighter that the Japanese allegedly called Whistling Death, on account of the noise its engine made on approach, though we suspect that name was rather more helpful to Allied morale than Japanese paperwork. The SBD Dauntless dive bomber is also represented, the aircraft whose crews sank four Japanese fleet carriers at the Battle of Midway in June 1942 — arguably the turning point of the entire Pacific war, all accomplished by a fairly unglamorous-looking aircraft that nobody photographed for the posters. And then there’s the Grumman Duck, a wonderfully odd-looking amphibious biplane that served the US Navy from the mid-1930s right through the war, doing the sort of utility work that nobody else wanted to do and somehow surviving the experience.

The centrepiece — and really, how could it not be — is the B-17 Flying Fortress. The great four-engined heavy bomber that the Americans flew in daylight over Germany when everyone else thought that was a spectacularly bad idea. Statistically speaking, they were right to be worried: crews flying the early Eighth Air Force missions had roughly one-in-four odds of surviving a standard tour of duty. The B-17 is a genuinely enormous aircraft, and standing next to one in an enclosed hangar has a way of making you feel rather small and quite grateful that your job doesn’t involve flying one over Schweinfurt in 1943.

🏠 The Hangar Experience

Now, here’s the thing about the hangar itself. They’ve squeezed all of these aircraft into a single building, and it is, to put it charitably, cosy. Compact is perhaps the politer word. Stacked in is probably more honest. Whoever arranged this lot clearly had the spatial reasoning of a professional Tetris player, because somehow it all fits — just about — though you do occasionally find yourself edging sideways between a Corsair’s wing and a Mustang’s tail, wondering if you’ve accidentally wandered into someone’s very expensive garage.

But here’s the thing: it works rather brilliantly. There’s something enormously appealing about the place precisely because it doesn’t feel like a conventional museum. It feels personal, almost domestic — like stumbling into a hangar belonging to someone who simply loves aeroplanes and hasn’t had time to tidy up between flights. Which, in essence, is exactly what it is.

📋 No Frills, No Fuss

We should be upfront about what this place is not. It is not the Imperial War Museum. There are no sweeping multimedia installations, no touch-screen interpretation panels, no atmospheric soundscapes of Merlin engines to enhance your experience. If you’ve come expecting narrated audio guides and a gift shop the size of a small Waitrose, you will be disappointed.

This is very much a no-frills operation. The history here isn’t delivered to you; it stands in front of you, at roughly one-to-one scale, with its original paintwork and its oil stains and its rivets all exactly where they were when someone was actually flying it in anger. That, for our money, is considerably more eloquent than any display panel.

💚 Loved and Flown

What makes the Erickson Collection genuinely special — and this is the part that separates it from almost everywhere else — is that almost all the aircraft here are airworthy and are flown regularly. Consequently, they are in beautiful condition. You can see it immediately. These aren’t aircraft that have been preserved in amber; they’ve been maintained, serviced and cared for the way you’d maintain something you actually intend to use. The paintwork gleams. The engines — you just know — turn over properly. There’s a particular quality to a working aircraft that a static one simply doesn’t have, and every machine in this hangar has it.

⏱️ How Long Do You Need?

That rather depends on who you are. If you’re a dedicated vintage aircraft enthusiast — the sort of person who already knows the difference between a Merlin and an Allison engine and has Opinions about cowl flap design — you could quite happily spend the better part of a day here and still not feel done. There’s that much to look at closely, that much to appreciate.

If, on the other hand, you’re more of a casual history buff who simply enjoys the general idea of old aeroplanes and the extraordinary stories attached to them, you can get a genuinely satisfying visit done in an hour or so. Either way, you won’t leave feeling short-changed.

It’s a quietly remarkable place, the Erickson Collection. Unpretentious, unfussy, and entirely serious about the aircraft it looks after. Rather like the men who flew them, come to think of it.

In summary …

Madras is a way out there – but it is in a beautiful part of Oregon. It is close to the resort city of Bend which offers skiing, fishing, hiking, climbing and a host of other outdoor activities.
The museum is compact and depending on your level of interest you could spend hours here or cover it all in an hour or less.
There isn’t much in the way of places to eat in Madras, so either bring your favourite nibbles with you or head to Bend.

Planning Your Visit to the Erickson Aircraft Collection

✈️ Overview

The Erickson Aircraft Collection is an aviation museum situated at the Madras Municipal Airport in Madras, Central Oregon. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious privately owned collections of airworthy vintage warbirds, drawing aviation enthusiasts and history lovers from across the globe.

The collection was founded by Jack Erickson, the entrepreneur behind Erickson Air-Crane, who acquired his first historic aircraft — a North American P-51D Mustang — in 1983. Over the following decades, he expanded the collection to include some of the rarest surviving examples of Second World War aviation, encompassing fighter planes, bombers, and reconnaissance aircraft.

In 1991, the aircraft were placed on public display at the Tillamook Air Museum in Tillamook, Oregon, housed within a vast wooden airship hangar. However, in 2007, management of the collection passed to Jack’s grandson Mike Oliver, who made the decision to relocate the aircraft to Madras. The town’s high desert climate — offering between 250 and 300 flyable days per year — made it an ideal permanent home. A purpose-built 65,000-square-foot hangar opened on the site in May 2014, and the full collection was transferred from Tillamook to Madras that same year.

Today, the collection comprises more than 25 warbirds, the vast majority of which remain in fully airworthy condition — a remarkable and defining characteristic that sets it apart from conventional static museums.

🛩️ The Aircraft

The collection spans an extraordinary range of Second World War-era aircraft, including some of the most iconic and historically significant machines to have taken to the skies during the conflict. Among the highlights are the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, the North American P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Supermarine Spitfire, the Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, the Douglas SBD Dauntless, the Grumman J2F Duck, the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Oscar), and a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress — the latter repainted in 2019 as the celebrated “Ye Olde Pub”. A reproduction Focke-Wulf Fw 190, acquired from the Military Aviation Museum, is also part of the fleet.

Unlike many aviation museums, where rope barriers keep visitors at a distance, the Erickson Collection allows guests to walk freely amongst the aircraft within the spacious hangar environment, offering an unusually intimate and immersive experience.

🎟️ Admission

The museum operates a tiered admissions structure:

General admission: $9.00 Senior: $8.00 Veteran: $7.00 Youth (aged 6–17): $5.00 Child (aged 5 and under): Free

Non-commercial photography and video recording are permitted throughout the museum. Commercial photography requires prior consent from the museum manager.

🕐 Opening Hours

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is closed on Mondays.

Please note that at the time of writing, the museum is temporarily closed due to restoration projects taking place within the facility. Visitors are strongly advised to contact the museum directly or check the official website before travelling to confirm current opening arrangements.

🛫 Warbird Rides

One of the most distinctive features of the Erickson Aircraft Collection is its Living History Flight Experience (LHFE) programme, known as Soaring with the Warbirds. This offers visitors the opportunity to take a 20-minute flight aboard one of the collection’s authentic warbirds, soaring over Oregon landmarks including Lake Billy Chinook, Haystack Reservoir, Lake Simtustus, and Smith Rock State Park. Ride bookings can be made via the official website.

📍 Location

2408 NW Berg Drive, Madras, OR 97741, United States

The museum is located at the Madras Municipal Airport on NW Berg Drive. To reach the hangar, take the NW Cherry Lane exit from Highway 26 and turn right onto NW Berg Drive. When using a sat-nav or mapping application, search for “Madras Municipal Airport” and follow NW Berg Drive to the end.

🌐 Website

www.ericksoncollection.com

📞 Telephone

+1 (541) 460-5065

📧 Email

info@ericksoncollection.com

The best time to Visit Oregon

Oregon is one of the most geographically diverse states in the USA, encompassing rugged Pacific coastline, dense temperate rainforests, volcanic peaks, high desert plateaus, and fertile river valleys. Knowing when to visit — and where to go — makes all the difference between a memorable journey and a soggy disappointment. This guide breaks down the best times to visit by season and by region, with packing advice for each time of year.

🌸 Spring (March–May)

Spring is a season of dramatic transformation in Oregon. Wildflowers carpet the Columbia River Gorge and the Willamette Valley bursts into colour with cherry blossom and tulip blooms. The crowds are thin, prices are reasonable, and the landscape feels genuinely alive.

Willamette Valley & Portland Portland springs to life in April, with the Japanese Garden at its finest and the International Rose Test Garden beginning to bud. The city’s famous food markets and coffee culture are best enjoyed without summer queues. Expect overcast skies and regular showers through March, gradually giving way to mild, bright days in May. The valley’s wine country — particularly around Dundee Hills — is lovely in spring, with green vineyards and damp, fresh air.

Columbia River Gorge This is arguably the finest time to visit the Gorge. Waterfalls are thundering at full capacity from snowmelt, and the wildflower displays on the eastern side — particularly around Rowena Crest — are extraordinary in late March and April. The Historic Columbia River Highway is fully accessible and relatively uncrowded.

Oregon Coast Spring brings dramatic, brooding skies and powerful surf to the coast. While swimming is out of the question (it nearly always is), storm-watching and grey whale migration viewing (March–May) make this a compelling time to visit. Towns like Cannon Beach and Newport are quiet, and accommodation rates are significantly lower.

Central Oregon & the High Desert Bend and the surrounding high desert thaw slowly. March can still be wintry at elevation, but by May the Smith Rock State Park trails are in excellent condition and the crowds have not yet arrived. Wildflowers begin appearing on the desert floor in April and May.

Southern Oregon (Crater Lake, Rogue Valley) Crater Lake typically remains snowbound into May or even June. The rim road is often closed, though the park itself is accessible for snowshoeing. The Rogue Valley — home to Ashland’s Shakespeare Festival — opens its theatre season in February and runs through autumn, making spring an excellent time to combine culture and scenery.

🎒 What to Pack for Spring Layering is essential: a waterproof shell or rain jacket, fleece mid-layer, and moisture-wicking base layers. Pack waterproof walking boots for trail use, a compact umbrella for city days, and sun protection for the high desert and clear-day hikes. Temperatures swing considerably between coast, city, and high elevation — a light down gilet bridges the gap neatly.

☀️ Summer (June–August)

Summer is peak season across most of Oregon, and for good reason. The Cascades are fully accessible, the coast is reliably cool and bright, and long daylight hours give visitors maximum time outdoors. It is also the busiest and most expensive time to travel.

Portland & the Willamette Valley Portland summers are warm and largely dry — a genuine surprise to many visitors expecting Pacific gloom. Temperatures typically sit between 24°C and 30°C in July and August. The Saturday Market, food truck pods, and outdoor festivals are in full swing. The valley’s lavender farms and wineries welcome visitors from June onwards.

Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls are lower in volume than spring but the hiking trails are at their best — dry underfoot, with sweeping views along the gorge rim. Popular trails like Angel’s Rest and Dog Mountain can become very busy on weekends. Visit on weekdays or arrive early to secure parking.

Oregon Coast The coast is never hot — that is part of its charm. Summer averages sit around 16°C to 19°C, with frequent morning mist burning off by midday. The coastal towns are busy but not overwhelmed. Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Pacific City all have a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere even at peak times. Haystack Rock’s tide pools are best explored at low tide during long summer evenings.

Central Oregon & the High Desert Bend transforms into a hub of outdoor activity in summer. Mountain biking, white-water rafting on the Deschutes River, rock climbing at Smith Rock, and hiking around the Three Sisters Wilderness are all at their prime. Temperatures can exceed 35°C in July — hot by Oregon standards — and afternoon thunderstorms are possible. The high desert air is very dry, so hydration is critical.

Mount Hood & the Cascades Timberline Lodge is open year-round, but summer offers the full grandeur of the mountain without snow obscuring lower trails. Wildflower meadows bloom below treeline in July, and the Ramona Falls and Mirror Lake trails are among the finest day hikes in the state. Crater Lake’s rim road typically opens fully by late June, revealing one of the most vivid blue lakes on Earth.

Southern Oregon The Rogue River is superb for rafting and kayaking in summer. Illinois Valley is warm and dry, perfect for exploring the Oregon Caves National Monument. Ashland’s Shakespeare Festival is at its most vibrant in July and August, combining outdoor theatre with excellent local wine and food.

🎒 What to Pack for Summer Breathable, moisture-wicking layers work year-round on the coast; add a light fleece or windproof jacket for evenings. For the high desert and Cascades, sun cream with high SPF, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat are non-negotiable. Carry at least two litres of water per person for any hike above 900 metres. Sturdy trail shoes or boots, lightweight waterproof layer for afternoon thunderstorms, and insect repellent for forest trails round out the kit.

🍂 Autumn (September–November)

Autumn is many locals’ favourite season — and for good reason. Summer crowds fade, temperatures remain pleasant, the foliage turns spectacular, and the harvest season transforms the Willamette Valley and Rogue Valley into culinary destinations.

Portland & the Willamette Valley September is arguably the finest month in Portland. The city is warm, dry, and still lively, without the peak-season pressure. The Willamette Valley’s wine harvest begins in late September, and many wineries open their crush pads to visitors. October brings golden light and falling leaves to Forest Park — one of the largest urban forests in the USA — and the city’s autumn food scene is outstanding.

Columbia River Gorge Autumn foliage along the Gorge is stunning from mid-October into early November. The eastern end of the Historic Columbia River Highway offers particularly vivid colour against the basalt cliffs. Waterfalls return to reasonable volume as autumn rains begin, and weekend crowds drop significantly after Labour Day.

Oregon Coast Storm season begins in earnest by November, which is precisely why storm-watchers descend on Cannon Beach and Depoe Bay. September and October offer the most pleasant coast conditions — mild, bright afternoons and dramatic wave action. The famous grey whale southward migration begins in November.

Central Oregon & the High Desert September remains warm and dry in Bend. Smith Rock is glorious in autumn light, and the crowds thin considerably after the school holidays end. By October, nights are cold at elevation. Snow can arrive at altitude by late October, making early-season snowshoeing possible around Mount Bachelor.

Mount Hood & the Cascades Snow arrives at Timberline Lodge as early as October, and the ski season can begin by November. The autumn foliage in the Hood River Valley is among the most beautiful in the Pacific Northwest — paired with the valley’s famous apple and pear harvest, it makes an excellent weekend destination from Portland.

Southern Oregon Crater Lake in autumn is exceptional: cooler temperatures, thinner crowds, and the possibility of first snowfall dusting the rim for dramatic contrast against the lake’s deep blue. The Rogue Valley harvest season peaks in September and October, with farm stands lining the highways.

🎒 What to Pack for Autumn A quality waterproof jacket becomes increasingly important as the season progresses. Warm mid-layers, a wool or fleece hat, and gloves are sensible from October onwards. Waterproof walking boots are strongly advised for trail use. Pack a few lighter layers for early autumn warmth, transitioning to heavier insulation and thermals for November visits, particularly at elevation.

❄️ Winter (December–February)

Winter Oregon is not for everyone — but for those who seek solitude, dramatic scenery, and a genuine sense of wilderness, it offers something remarkable. Prices plummet, crowds disappear, and the landscape takes on a raw, elemental quality.

Portland & the Willamette Valley Portland winters are grey, damp, and mild — rarely below freezing in the city itself, but consistently overcast. This is the city at its most authentic: independent bookshops, coffee houses, museums, and covered markets come into their own when outdoor activities are curtailed. The Portland Art Museum and OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) are excellent rainy-day options. Occasional ice storms do occur and can disrupt travel — worth monitoring forecasts.

Columbia River Gorge Winter transforms the Gorge into something ethereal. Waterfalls partially freeze in hard cold snaps, ice coats the basalt walls, and the whole landscape is stripped back to its geological bones. Multnomah Falls is spectacular year-round and accessible even in winter. Many of the higher trails are closed or icy — check conditions before setting out.

Oregon Coast Storm-watching is the headline winter activity, and the Oregon Coast does it superbly. Hotels in Cannon Beach, Lincoln City, and Depoe Bay offer storm-watching packages during the roughest weather. The grey whale northward migration (December–January) is another draw. The coast remains relatively mild compared to inland Oregon, though wind chill can be brutal.

Central Oregon & the High Desert Mount Bachelor near Bend is one of the finest ski resorts in the Pacific Northwest, with a season typically running from November through April. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular alternatives for non-downhill skiers. Bend itself is surprisingly lively in winter, with a strong après-ski culture and a thriving local brewery scene.

Mount Hood & the Cascades Timberline Lodge — Oregon’s most iconic building — comes fully into its own in winter. Skiing and snowboarding on the mountain are excellent, and the historic lodge itself is a destination in its own right. Government Camp and surrounding communities offer a genuine mountain winter experience less than 90 minutes from Portland.

Southern Oregon (Crater Lake) Crater Lake in winter is one of Oregon’s most dramatic sights: the deep blue lake, the snow-covered rim, and the near-absolute silence. Access is limited to the south entrance, and the rim drive is closed, but ranger-led snowshoe walks are available on weekends. It is not easy to reach in winter, but for those who make the effort, it is genuinely unforgettable.

🎒 What to Pack for Winter Thermal base layers, a heavy insulating mid-layer, and a fully waterproof and windproof outer shell are essential. Waterproof boots with good ankle support and grip (or attachable microspikes for icy trails) are strongly advised. Pack warm accessories — hat, gloves, buff or scarf — and carry emergency layers if venturing to elevation. Driving in winter may require snow chains in mountain areas: check Oregon DOT road conditions before any mountain journey

🌟 The Overall Best Time to Visit Oregon

If forced to name a single best time to visit Oregon, late May through early October offers the most dependable conditions across the widest range of regions and activities. September stands out as the sweet spot: the summer crowds have thinned, the weather remains warm and mostly dry across the state, autumn colour is beginning in the mountains, the Willamette Valley harvest is under way, and accommodation rates start to ease. The coast is at its most pleasant, Crater Lake’s rim road is still open, and Portland is warm enough to explore entirely on foot.

That said, Oregon rewards visitors in every season. A winter storm-watcher on the coast, a spring wildflower hiker in the Gorge, or a ski week at Mount Bachelor will each find their own version of the state at its finest. The real key is matching your chosen region and activity to the season — Oregon is too varied and too dramatic to be reduced to a single best time. Choose your landscape, then let the season follow.