11/7/23 I'm here to pay my respects to these magnificent structures. Unfortunately we lost one of our hangars today due to a devastating fire. My Grandfather was a helicopter pilot stationed here and my Grandma worked here as well. I enjoyed the privilege of having many fond memories of my youth at MCAS Tustin. Thank you to all who served here 🇺🇲
I'm devastated by the fire , I grew up on that base from 1963 to 1975 , my father was stationed there the year I was born , I was in tears watching it on the news , I have to go there tomorrow to see for myself
I am right there wity you, but as an admirer from the outside- It was an impressive sight to see as a child, passing along the road outside of the fence...
So sad, one has burned today 11-7-23. I went there with my dad to see Blue Angel air shows as a kid. Those buildings took my breath away at there massive size. They are in my memory of great days with my dad. 🙏❤️
I grew up on that base from 1963 to 1975 my father was stationed there the year I was born , he served 30 years in the Marines with 3 tours in Vietnam, I had a great childhood growing up there , and I am in tears with the recent fire in the north hanger , so much history being lost , it's so devastating to see
My dad was stationed there in 1945! We actually took him to a Marine Corps Ball in the 70s. I asked the commanding officer if he could meet my dad. He announced him to the crowd after dinner and shook his hand. What a great memory. Just one of many I could tell about.
One of my Marine Corps buddies went on to become a CH-46 pilot, and I was able to visit him while he was stationed at MCAS Tustin. He showed me around the hangar and helo. It was a short visit, but those dirigible hangars were quite impressive! This was around 1990, and the CH-46 squadron was HMM-161.
My Grandfather, Edward “Kelly” Schelvan worked on building these massive and impressive structures back in WWII. He was a skilled carpenter, so when the government put a man on a project like these, they were frozen on that project until the government said you could leave. It was because of the shortage of able bodied men taken by the military for the war. I’m proud of my Grandpa! 🫡🇺🇸
Too bad that some people think that these structures should be knocked down.Let’s keep these beautiful structures up! As a young kid I would ride my bike n just look through the fence to see the helicopters n Marines. They are the reason why I serviced 22 years in the military! Thank you big monster structures for what you have done!
I grew up on this base in the early 80's It was an amazing time. you could walk through on the weekends and the marines would show you the helicopters. It was a different time. Very cool
Wow that’s amazing, i can only imagine how it was back then I just went recently and it’s all closed off and overgrown, I couldn’t get inside anything though they boarded it all off pretty good.
@@Momeykid78they did indeed. Housing and barracks, commissary, chapel, barber, clubs. A self contained village like all US bases around the world. It was a great place to be stationed. I was there 86-90.
My dad was a WWII Vet. When traveling in California, we would stop at various bases. Tustin was just one. 😊 You might be able to imagine that I was there as a child on this great expanse of land. There is nothing in view anywhere but the two GIGANTIC hangers.❤❤ Then, two months ago, I got off the freeway, and BAM there they were. But all these buildings are around then.😢 Then heard heard on the news that one burned and is still burning. They believe it may take a few days to stop the fire. 😢😢😢 How did it start? 😮😢
@@Charles_Anthony Hi Charles, unfortunately and saddened to say, I agree. After all these years then as more questions arise about if the Navy and US Government need to keep them both. I'm shaking my head in disbelief. Something similar has happened her in San Diego and in other parts of our country. The explanations are useless and I REALLY don't want to hear it. The last remaining Ryan Aircraft wood hanger that stood for so many years at the southern end of Lindberg Field where so many aircraft came into existence ... it just, somehow was "mistakenly" demolished. This may have been one of the hangers in which part if not all of the Spirit of St. Louis was built. All the other buildings were sacrificed many years ago and then the last building "accidentally" ... BS!!!!!! The buildings don't need to be military either. We watched from our side balcony as the Aerospace Museum and then The original Old Globe burned down here in San Diego burned to the ground taking with it the ORIGINAL Spirit of St. Louis!!! and other unreplaceable aircraft and history. Read for yourself - www.sandiego.gov/fire/about/majorfires/1978balboa This is soooo sickening!
I served on that base from '81 to '84. I worked in hangar 2 on the CH 46 GE engines. I always used to marvel at the size of those hangars. How could that have happened to hangar 1? 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢 Sometimes life totally sucks.
I was stationed here in 1975. I returned in 1982, and left my 12 year service in 1990 from here. I will always cherish the times I spent at this station.
I remember these hangers in 1977 when I was in the USMC. I was with WTS-37 and briefly stationed at this air station. I was with WTS-37 formerly WERS-37 and attended a driving school for the heavy vehicles here. The class rooms were at the base of the hanger. I remember how massive the hanger doors were. Our class would drive 6x6 trucks out from the base up and out into the Santiago Canyon area. So much fun. The mess hall at Tustin was rather good. The barracks nice. Easy walk out to Red Hill Ave. I miss my fellow Marine buddies, we had a good time while at Tustin. Great memories. The hangers were used for helicopter maintenance by the various squadrons. Being sent to Tustin was a nice break from MCAS El Toro and 29 Palms.
I used to drive by this base every day on the way to work as did my father (RIP) before me. My respects go out to the makers of this video as it seems to have been made with love.
I will always have fond memories of my time spent in both Hangers and watching the Huey cobra fly from one end through to the other at about 5 feet off the ground .
Great video! I served there only 3 months at the end of 1977 with HMM-161. I had just finished boot camp and was sent there for OJT in the Com-Nav shop. There wasn't any room at my A school in Millington, TN, so the Corps sent me to Tustin. Looking back, it was a thrill to be able to work in Hanger 1. I eventually ended up at El Toro, VMFP-3, Com-Nav.
Saw the news of one of them burning today, hopefully this can secure the efforts for the preservation of the second one. Amazing history though, didn't know they were built out of wood. Wouldn't mind seeing it in person someday.
@@sharksport01: If it existed, which we cannot confirm, they were probably smaller than the Hanger. I've seen it up close and, if you could turn.that hanger upside down, it would easily fit every animal in the world. They're that huge.
My dad was a U.S. Marine long ago and on one weekend morning he took me into the base where those majestic hangers stood. He took me into one and to a little lad that I was at the time, it was the biggest building that I had ever been in. It was later told to me of their use during their lives of serving our country so proudly. I was saddened when their recent untimely destruction had occurred..
My Dad briefly took me inside one of these buildings when I was a kid in the 1970s. He was a retired Marine Corps pilot. The building seemed immense from the inside. My Mom told me one time they went to a Marine Corps Birthday Ball in one of these hangars. She said it was drafty. So sorry to see that one has burned down.
I went thru Tustin in 1985 while waiting a school seat for aviation maintenance during the Reagan rebuild. I remember in some days we could get small clouds and misting inside the hangars. I was a shadow to just about any of the Marines who needed a third hand with HMH-465 Avionics shop. It is a shame what is happening to the old bases, they are just disappearing after better than a half century of existence. In El Toro they are naming thenew park as The Great Park rather than as Cold War Memorial, or something more historical and marking a set of historical lessons to be learned. I left service in 1997 and got out of that state and have never looked back, but I have many good memories of my time there.
I was stationed there 83-85 in Crash Crew. The little house he was talking about was built by my OIC a year before I arrived. This was built for crash crew to have a place to rest during our 24 and 48 hr shifts. It was built entirely from old railroad ties. I unfortunately forgot my OIC's name.
I was stationed there at the same time you were but I was a CH46/CH53 structures mech attached to TME-32. Grand memories of working in those hangars every day.
On my way to boot in Dan Diego our bus passed Tustin just as a pair of phantoms were taking off. Needless to say a huge cheer went up and the bus rocked with enthusiasm! Truly a patriotic moment for all of us.
I was stationed there '85-88 while in HMM-268. I was one of the those who climbed to the top (inside) but I didn't think to carve my name. I got caught and had to spend the week mowing around hangar 2. Got some interesting pictures though!
I grew up in OC, first living in Tustin in the early 70s. I had a view from my bedroom of the hangers. Used to watch helicopters coming and going. Was just back in OC and drove by the hangers. It was odd to see them surrounded by so much development. When I inquired why the hangers had not been sold to developers the understanding was the asbestos in the buildings. My first thought on hearing about this fire is someone came up with a "solution".
I was stationed in Hanger 2 in 1986 as a Marine, working on CH-53 helicopters. Often clouds would roll in if the hanger was open and it would even rain inside. Sad that they weren’t better maintained. Often the Goodyear blimps would come in for a few days.
I was in the marines in the early 1980's and traveled there to the hangars once, in walking into the building the sheer size expanse across the enclosed interior was really amazing, there really was no actual reference to size or depth, it was something along the lines of vertigo, in looking at the roof from inside, it defied visual perception, and it seemed to just go on and on, the group that I was there with had to get our work done so there wasn't much time for a tour, one does not experience such a thing and come away unchanged.
I was a member of HMM-166 for a number of years and have fond memories of my time working in these hangers. It was heart breaking to have one burn down. 😢
I was stationed at ElToro in 1970 and lived a short distance from the this base which we referred to it as LTA (Lighter Than Air). I would see these hangers everyday on my way to my base. It was a fond memory of my time in California. A few years ago as I was driving along the Oregon and as I passed thru Tellamook I saw a hanger and read about how they too had two hangers like these at Tustin and unfortunately one of those hangers burned down. Now as I heard the news about this hanger burning it saddens me to see our history disappearing.
Beautiful history and craftsmanship, just snuck onto the property yesterday and it was amazing, everything is closed off but you can still look around at all the old buildings it’s pretty dope and they have these tiger paintings on the side of the hangars which are pretty dope
@@matthewalex8579: There's only a little chain link fence protecting these world landmarks which is why an arsonist was able to torch the north hanger.
My father has a long history with those hangars starting his career as a Marine aviator in the late 50’s and launched three tours in Vietnam with HMM165 then later as CO of HMT-301. I spent many afternoons as a kid doing my homework in the ready room and learning cuss words from the squadron parrot Hawkeye. My father filed all the necessary paperwork and pushed it all the way up command to congress to have the hangars listed as historical buildings probably the only reason they are still there. Sad day to see one burn down and my guess is developer arson.
@@u4riahsc: You don't need to see the pattern to recognize arson. There's a lot more shady stuff going on in the world than this, but this is right in front of our collective faces and they want to pretend it just magically caught fire when it hasn't had power in decades.
I use to play golf at Pacific Grove in the 60s as a kid. At that time, revenants of WWII bunkers were still in the dunes of the golf course as lookout positions. I grew up in Santa Ana from 57 to 75. The hangers were a fixture during that time as a Helicopter airfield.
@@jeffbroders9781 and they gave every excuse not to fight the fire , there are high rise buildings that catch fire and they fight those fire, There's a developer that wants that property , we will know the truth if they develop and start buildings on that property, it's worth millions
This was my home.. MCAS Tustin,/LTA Base. From: Feb1974-Jun1977. When I first arrive. Myself, work at "MAG-16, S-3 OPS, Group Level. On Thursdays.. The Marine Corps band would come over from "El Toro" to play. We would go out front to hear the band. In what we called, Music appreciation. Then down to the Squadron level. With, HMM-163,S-3 OPS. The Chow-Hall was good. I live in the old Barracks first couple years. Then to the new ones at the time. I like it better cause you are a lot closer to town. Then "El Toro".
I was granted many escorts with your squadron, I dont't remember which had the blown rear transmission over lake tahoe,, but what a ride, and zero complaint. .. ruined my favorite parka... ;) {mag-16 mabs-16 com sec, really hated morse cord
NeonTyler Folf : Me neither keep those hangers they’re precious! Don’t let the bureaucrats have their way! That goes for the hanger up at Moffett Field as well! hangar number one and the two “Tustin type” hangers next to it!
So sad to see what has happened, I'm from Canada, and only got to visit this hangar once but I was incredibly impressed with its size, it was amazing to see. I will never lose that memory of it!
My father was stationed at Santa Anna Army Air Force ( and later Air Force) Base in 1942, 2 years before I was born. In 1965 when I was in the Marines, it was a Marine corps helicopter air station. Later, I heard it became John Wayne Airport.
The roof on part of one them partial caved in a few years ago. Hoping they keep the other intact and preserved. I now they use the good one for food festivals, car shoots and 5k's. I think making one into an indoor garden/recreation area would be fantastic. The problem with SoCal is they don't preserve much, they demotion and forget. Meanwhile most east coast states preserve and reuse fairly well.
So sad to see this video but great memories at the same time. It is a shame what the Irvine Company has done to the history of MCAS Tustin. Developers win again.
@@offgrid.Are they posted anywhere? I climbed the ladders back in the late 80’s, lots of barn owls at the top! They were good pigeon control, owls and the hawks.
Was a US Naval Sea Cadet attending the Naval Reserve Center south of these on USMCAS Tustin 1966-1972. In 1968 I was receiving a plaque for setting 5 of 7 Marine Physical Readiness Test (PRT) records. Was being presented by Helicopter Colonel Huntington base CO who had a foot recovering from a Viet Kong bullet. A pilot had been sent over for him to chew out who had just flown a double rotor Chinook Helo through one of the hangars. My plaque would wait as I waited outside the open door. He chewed on the pilot loudly and then leaned forward to his ear and said, “And I wish I’d done that when I arrived.” I grinned. He came out realizing I’d heard it all, and presented the plaque both of us still smiling for the camera.
My squadron, HMM-163 was in Hangar 2 before we deployed to Futemna for six months in 1983. After we returned we were in Hangar 1 until we went Westpac in 85. Very fond memories of both hangars. Sadden to witnessed it burn on that horrible morning.
Grew up not more than 5 miles from there I remember the last time I was there inside the hangers when still operated by the Marine base during an airshow early 1989 before I moved out of state.
They should survey all of Southern California. Those LTA bases need to stay! What’s wrong with two blimp bases coming down so we can build more houses? We’ve already destroyed all the orchards , bean fields and strawberry fields. We old timers aren’t all dead yet! I remember great air shows there. Many Marine Corps Balls were held at El Toro. How sad to see the great park covering the jet landing strips ! I remain staunch in our desire to preserve both . Even though the houses and shopping centers are slowly creeping in! Let us always remember our men in arms! ❤
When I checked in there it was MCAS (H) Santa Ana, 77-84, Fantastic times, Wouldn't trade them for Anything. Currently working on the CH-53K to get them to the Fleet. Semper Fi.
too sad to hear about the fire - my dad was stationed in Lakehurst and remember one of their hangers and the size was daunting. the helicopters of HC2 flew in and he was there for the maintenance of those birds hope they keep the one thats left -
I thought at least one of them would be turned into an indoor sports facility (soccer, football) for the community kids. These are great buildings that should be preserved. I remember seeing the plans for the neighborhood that was to be built when I worked at a local print shop in Irvine. Then the housing market crashed in 2008 and everything stalled.
Recall an avionics tech.....Chris Difiglia ? We both reported to El Toro at the same time (4th of July 1979). I stayed at El Toro in RF4B Phantom II squadron...he got helicopters, shop on airfield side...maybe 232...HE called Two Thirty Screw. We rotated overlapped tours in early '80s, and I rarely had chance to visit shop in hangars.
Stationed at Hangar 2 from 74 to 77. HMT-301. Heavy and Medium helicopter Training squadron. Group 16' 3rd Wing. Pilots fresh from flight school learning 46's and 53's. Semper Fi.
Fast forward to 22:40 of this video to see what the Asst City Manager of Tustin said at the time this video was created about the future plans for the site. Doesn't seem like 1 of them burning down today was an accident. 🧐
It's so sad how these historic structures were recently engulfed in flames and collapsed...I live like 10 miles away from those Hangars in Mission Viejo.
Lived in Tustin 15 years not far from the hangers. Hear one burned down and the fire department did not do much to put the fire out. Irvine company wants to clear the old base to make more housing. Hope the other one survives.
there was a substation base south of SANAS LTA at were Corona Del Mar Highschool and Eastbluff sit today. Had 2 revetments for K blimps as an emergency airfield
Amazing structure, designed by an Armenian engineer, and a landmark for Tustin. Wish we could actively use it? Sports facilities, concerts? What about the Summer Olympics coming to Los Angeles? If we could ensure it's a safe, healthy building we could restore and save it. I know they used asbestos to fire proof it and i hope that can be isolated or removed. It's important to preserve our heritage instead of tearing down and rebuilding, wasting precious raw material. In Europe, the buildings are 100's of years old, with tall ceilings, and simply refitted with modern plumbing, elevators, and appliances. The walls are a foot thick, insulating and noise reducing. We should aim to build well and preserve more in the US also.
I climbed to the top of one of those in 1972 by way of the zig zagging rafters when I was stationed there in the Marines, Helicopter Squadron HMH-363. The bad influence that talked me into it started throwing fire crackers off the top.. Needless to say I got out of there, slowing descending through the rafters as not to alert the sentry that was on guard duty way down below. I was a young 17 year old PFC and could have gotten into a lot of trouble, but was not caught. One of those was used in the filming of the Hindenburg, with George C. Scott, while I was stationed there in 1974, HMM-161. They burned a replica of the blimp to duplicate the crash for the movie on the LTA base not far from those hangars.
The video states that all of the wood was treated with salts as a fire retardant. Additionally, if the structure and/or components were given to spontaneous combustion, why not before now? The fire is quite suspicious.
11/7/23 I'm here to pay my respects to these magnificent structures. Unfortunately we lost one of our hangars today due to a devastating fire. My Grandfather was a helicopter pilot stationed here and my Grandma worked here as well. I enjoyed the privilege of having many fond memories of my youth at MCAS Tustin. Thank you to all who served here 🇺🇲
Arson.
@Charles_Anthony I think so too😢
I'm devastated by the fire , I grew up on that base from 1963 to 1975 , my father was stationed there the year I was born , I was in tears watching it on the news , I have to go there tomorrow to see for myself
I am right there wity you, but as an admirer from the outside- It was an impressive sight to see as a child, passing along the road outside of the fence...
i drove passed them daily. didnt know they were wood
So sad, one has burned today 11-7-23. I went there with my dad to see Blue Angel air shows as a kid. Those buildings took my breath away at there massive size. They are in my memory of great days with my dad. 🙏❤️
Very sad
Definitely arson.
Sad sight to see. :'(
I grew up on that base from 1963 to 1975 my father was stationed there the year I was born , he served 30 years in the Marines with 3 tours in Vietnam, I had a great childhood growing up there , and I am in tears with the recent fire in the north hanger , so much history being lost , it's so devastating to see
My dad was stationed there in 1945! We actually took him to a Marine Corps Ball in the 70s. I asked the commanding officer if he could meet my dad. He announced him to the crowd after dinner and shook his hand. What a great memory. Just one of many I could tell about.
I'm 61 and grew up in Orange County and I was sad to see the hangar on fire. I really enjoyed this video and learning about the history.
One of my Marine Corps buddies went on to become a CH-46 pilot, and I was able to visit him while he was stationed at MCAS Tustin. He showed me around the hangar and helo. It was a short visit, but those dirigible hangars were quite impressive! This was around 1990, and the CH-46 squadron was HMM-161.
My Grandfather, Edward “Kelly” Schelvan worked on building these massive and impressive structures back in WWII. He was a skilled carpenter, so when the government put a man on a project like these, they were frozen on that project until the government said you could leave. It was because of the shortage of able bodied men taken by the military for the war. I’m proud of my Grandpa! 🫡🇺🇸
Too bad that some people think that these structures should be knocked down.Let’s keep these beautiful structures up! As a young kid I would ride my bike n just look through the fence to see the helicopters n Marines. They are the reason why I serviced 22 years in the military! Thank you big monster structures for what you have done!
My team of Free climbers and I have pics of her from the top of the supporting towers!
Saw the hangar burning and ended up here. Fascinating history I've never heard before.
Loved it when I was stationed there. 1979-1983.i was with HMM-161. Lots of great times and marines. Sad to hear they shut it down. SemperFi.
Ive wanted to see the inside of one of these all my life. I grew up in the area and theyre truly amazing.
My team of Free climbers and I have pics of her from the top of the supporting towers!
@@offgrid. badass man, wish I could see it
I grew up on this base in the early 80's It was an amazing time. you could walk through on the weekends and the marines would show you the helicopters. It was a different time. Very cool
Wow that’s amazing, i can only imagine how it was back then I just went recently and it’s all closed off and overgrown, I couldn’t get inside anything though they boarded it all off pretty good.
They had family quarters too for people living there?
My team of Free climbers and I have pics of her from the top of the supporting towers!
@@Momeykid78they did indeed. Housing and barracks, commissary, chapel, barber, clubs. A self contained village like all US bases around the world. It was a great place to be stationed. I was there 86-90.
A fine documentary; it's sad that one of the hangars is now no more.
My dad was a WWII Vet. When traveling in California, we would stop at various bases. Tustin was just one. 😊
You might be able to imagine that I was there as a child on this great expanse of land. There is nothing in view anywhere but the two GIGANTIC hangers.❤❤ Then, two months ago, I got off the freeway, and BAM there they were. But all these buildings are around then.😢 Then heard heard on the news that one burned and is still burning. They believe it may take a few days to stop the fire. 😢😢😢 How did it start? 😮😢
Arson.
@@Charles_Anthony Hi Charles, unfortunately and saddened to say, I agree. After all these years then as more questions arise about if the Navy and US Government need to keep them both. I'm shaking my head in disbelief. Something similar has happened her in San Diego and in other parts of our country. The explanations are useless and I REALLY don't want to hear it. The last remaining Ryan Aircraft wood hanger that stood for so many years at the southern end of Lindberg Field where so many aircraft came into existence ... it just, somehow was "mistakenly" demolished. This may have been one of the hangers in which part if not all of the Spirit of St. Louis was built. All the other buildings were sacrificed many years ago and then the last building "accidentally" ... BS!!!!!! The buildings don't need to be military either. We watched from our side balcony as the Aerospace Museum and then The original Old Globe burned down here in San Diego burned to the ground taking with it the ORIGINAL Spirit of St. Louis!!! and other unreplaceable aircraft and history. Read for yourself - www.sandiego.gov/fire/about/majorfires/1978balboa This is soooo sickening!
I served on that base from '81 to '84. I worked in hangar 2 on the CH 46 GE engines. I always used to marvel at the size of those hangars. How could that have happened to hangar 1? 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢 Sometimes life totally sucks.
I appreciate the ones who served for our country 😢❤
I really feel more emotions seeing this after watching the north one burned down.
I was stationed here in 1975. I returned in 1982, and left my 12 year service in 1990 from here. I will always cherish the times I spent at this station.
I remember these hangers in 1977 when I was in the USMC. I was with WTS-37 and briefly stationed at this air station. I was with WTS-37 formerly WERS-37 and attended a driving school for the heavy vehicles here. The class rooms were at the base of the hanger. I remember how massive the hanger doors were. Our class would drive 6x6 trucks out from the base up and out into the Santiago Canyon area. So much fun. The mess hall at Tustin was rather good. The barracks nice. Easy walk out to Red Hill Ave. I miss my fellow Marine buddies, we had a good time while at Tustin. Great memories. The hangers were used for helicopter maintenance by the various squadrons. Being sent to Tustin was a nice break from MCAS El Toro and 29 Palms.
RWHogue: God Bless you!
I used to drive by this base every day on the way to work as did my father (RIP) before me. My respects go out to the makers of this video as it seems to have been made with love.
I will always have fond memories of my time spent in both Hangers and watching the Huey cobra fly from one end through to the other at about 5 feet off the ground .
Great video! I served there only 3 months at the end of 1977 with HMM-161. I had just finished boot camp and was sent there for OJT in the Com-Nav shop. There wasn't any room at my A school in Millington, TN, so the Corps sent me to Tustin. Looking back, it was a thrill to be able to work in Hanger 1. I eventually ended up at El Toro, VMFP-3, Com-Nav.
My team of Free climbers and I have pics of her from the top of the supporting towers!
Saw the news of one of them burning today, hopefully this can secure the efforts for the preservation of the second one. Amazing history though, didn't know they were built out of wood. Wouldn't mind seeing it in person someday.
The largest wooden structures ever built on this Earth and yet no one knows about them. Even an arsonist, burning it down, barely made the news.
The Ark wasn't bigger?
@@sharksport01: If it existed, which we cannot confirm, they were probably smaller than the Hanger. I've seen it up close and, if you could turn.that hanger upside down, it would easily fit every animal in the world. They're that huge.
My dad was a U.S. Marine long ago and on one weekend morning he took me into the base where those majestic hangers stood. He took me into one and to a little lad that I was at the time, it was the biggest building that I had ever been in. It was later told to me of their use during their lives of serving our country so proudly. I was saddened when their recent untimely destruction had occurred..
My Dad briefly took me inside one of these buildings when I was a kid in the 1970s. He was a retired Marine Corps pilot. The building seemed immense from the inside. My Mom told me one time they went to a Marine Corps Birthday Ball in one of these hangars. She said it was drafty. So sorry to see that one has burned down.
I went thru Tustin in 1985 while waiting a school seat for aviation maintenance during the Reagan rebuild. I remember in some days we could get small clouds and misting inside the hangars. I was a shadow to just about any of the Marines who needed a third hand with HMH-465 Avionics shop. It is a shame what is happening to the old bases, they are just disappearing after better than a half century of existence. In El Toro they are naming thenew park as The Great Park rather than as Cold War Memorial, or something more historical and marking a set of historical lessons to be learned. I left service in 1997 and got out of that state and have never looked back, but I have many good memories of my time there.
I was stationed there 83-85 in Crash Crew. The little house he was talking about was built by my OIC a year before I arrived. This was built for crash crew to have a place to rest during our 24 and 48 hr shifts. It was built entirely from old railroad ties. I unfortunately forgot my OIC's name.
I was stationed there at the same time you were but I was a CH46/CH53 structures mech attached to TME-32. Grand memories of working in those hangars every day.
wo3 john winstead
On my way to boot in Dan Diego our bus passed Tustin just as a pair of phantoms were taking off. Needless to say a huge cheer went up and the bus rocked with enthusiasm! Truly a patriotic moment for all of us.
I was stationed there '85-88 while in HMM-268. I was one of the those who climbed to the top (inside) but I didn't think to carve my name. I got caught and had to spend the week mowing around hangar 2. Got some interesting pictures though!
Absolutely amazing structures! We need to preserve them for future generations!
Yes I agree with you, 1,000,000%!!!!
They should convert them into a museum... I live next to these things and it's sad to see both MCAS Tustin and MCAS El Toro rotting away
Just read they might be getting torn down
Yep! My team of Free climbers and I have pics of her from the top of the supporting towers!
Well rip
Thank You for this FASCINATING documentary!!!!!!!!!!!
I grew up in OC, first living in Tustin in the early 70s. I had a view from my bedroom of the hangers. Used to watch helicopters coming and going. Was just back in OC and drove by the hangers. It was odd to see them surrounded by so much development. When I inquired why the hangers had not been sold to developers the understanding was the asbestos in the buildings. My first thought on hearing about this fire is someone came up with a "solution".
Yep. Arson.
I was stationed in Hanger 2 in 1986 as a Marine, working on CH-53 helicopters. Often clouds would roll in if the hanger was open and it would even rain inside. Sad that they weren’t better maintained. Often the Goodyear blimps would come in for a few days.
Drove by them all the time as a kid. Got to go inside once on some kind of public tour. Impressive!
I saw the hangers for the first time this past August 💔
I hope they can preserve this last one 🇺🇸
I was in the marines in the early 1980's and traveled there to the hangars once, in walking into the building the sheer size expanse across the enclosed interior was really amazing, there really was no actual reference to size or depth, it was something along the lines of vertigo, in looking at the roof from inside, it defied visual perception, and it seemed to just go on and on, the group that I was there with had to get our work done so there wasn't much time for a tour, one does not experience such a thing and come away unchanged.
I was a member of HMM-166 for a number of years and have fond memories of my time working in these hangers. It was heart breaking to have one burn down. 😢
RIP hangar...
I was stationed at ElToro in 1970 and lived a short distance from the this base which we referred to it as LTA (Lighter Than Air). I would see these hangers everyday on my way to my base. It was a fond memory of my time in California. A few years ago as I was driving along the Oregon and as I passed thru Tellamook I saw a hanger and read about how they too had two hangers like these at Tustin and unfortunately one of those hangers burned down. Now as I heard the news about this hanger burning it saddens me to see our history disappearing.
Beautiful history and craftsmanship, just snuck onto the property yesterday and it was amazing, everything is closed off but you can still look around at all the old buildings it’s pretty dope and they have these tiger paintings on the side of the hangars which are pretty dope
My team of Free climbers and I have pics of her from the top of the supporting towers!
If you don’t mind me asking, how exactly were you able to pull that off? I’ve been wanting to try to sneak through there myself.
@@matthewalex8579: There's only a little chain link fence protecting these world landmarks which is why an arsonist was able to torch the north hanger.
Thank you for providing this wonderfulvideo! I've lived here for close to 50 years! Lot's of good memories!
Briefly shown is the famous TECO (Timber Engineering Corp.) split ring that was an essential part of the bolted timber assembly.
My father has a long history with those hangars starting his career as a Marine aviator in the late 50’s and launched three tours in Vietnam with HMM165 then later as CO of HMT-301. I spent many afternoons as a kid doing my homework in the ready room and learning cuss words from the squadron parrot Hawkeye. My father filed all the necessary paperwork and pushed it all the way up command to congress to have the hangars listed as historical buildings probably the only reason they are still there. Sad day to see one burn down and my guess is developer arson.
We should be demanding action, but all the people only care about the asbestos. Really sad what society has become.
I’m not a CT (conspiracy theorist) but that land is extremely valuable.
@@u4riahsc: You don't need to see the pattern to recognize arson. There's a lot more shady stuff going on in the world than this, but this is right in front of our collective faces and they want to pretend it just magically caught fire when it hasn't had power in decades.
I use to play golf at Pacific Grove in the 60s as a kid. At that time, revenants of WWII bunkers were still in the dunes of the golf course as lookout positions. I grew up in Santa Ana from 57 to 75. The hangers were a fixture during that time as a Helicopter airfield.
Saw these for the 1st time today . They’re just amazing monuments
My dad used to be a ch-53e pilot and he always flew from there. We lived near Newport Beach.
Outstanding documentary!
It was my home from 82-86,HMM-164.
I spent 6 years of service in the Marines at MCAS Tustin. I have to believe that this was arson.
Me to ,I think it was arson , someone wants that property really bad, so I can't wait to hear what the cause of it was
I grew up on that base , my father was stationed there from 1963 until he retired 1975 ,
I think that it was extremely odd that the fire reignited again after several days of heavy rains.???
@@jeffbroders9781 and they gave every excuse not to fight the fire , there are high rise buildings that catch fire and they fight those fire, There's a developer that wants that property , we will know the truth if they develop and start buildings on that property, it's worth millions
@@robertbennett7393 recent news about Tustin real estate the most increase in value.
Incredible piece of engineering.
So sad that the North hangar burned down this morning. :(
Arson.
RIP Tustin hanger 2023
This was my home.. MCAS Tustin,/LTA Base. From: Feb1974-Jun1977. When I first arrive. Myself, work at "MAG-16, S-3 OPS, Group Level. On Thursdays.. The Marine Corps band would come over from "El Toro" to play. We would go out front to hear the band. In what we called, Music appreciation. Then down to the Squadron level. With, HMM-163,S-3 OPS. The Chow-Hall was good. I live in the old Barracks first couple years. Then to the new ones at the time. I like it better cause you are a lot closer to town. Then "El Toro".
I was granted many escorts with your squadron, I dont't remember which had the blown rear transmission over lake tahoe,, but what a ride, and zero complaint. .. ruined my favorite parka... ;) {mag-16 mabs-16 com sec, really hated morse cord
Lots of great memories. Hope they don't tear them down. HMH-361, '91-'95.
Me neither
NeonTyler Folf : Me neither keep those hangers they’re precious! Don’t let the bureaucrats have their way! That goes for the hanger up at Moffett Field as well! hangar number one and the two “Tustin type” hangers next to it!
Still standing today as a resident of Tustin.
@@turiipipip1920: The north hanger was burned down due to arson.
Sad about the loss of Hangar One this past month. Whilst the hangar has fallen, we still have one remaining and that should be of our utmost priority
One just burned down today. How sad, part of my childhood gone.
And TPD is not even trying to catch the arsonist.
I remember learning about them when I was kid. My parents would watch California's Gold with Huell Howser.
Semper Fi to all fellow Marines on here!
So sad to see what has happened, I'm from Canada, and only got to visit this hangar once but I was incredibly impressed with its size, it was amazing to see. I will never lose that memory of it!
My father was stationed at Santa Anna Army Air Force ( and later Air Force) Base in 1942, 2 years before I was born. In 1965 when I was in the Marines, it was a Marine corps helicopter air station. Later, I heard it became John Wayne Airport.
Stationed there 1980 -1983. HMH 462
The roof on part of one them partial caved in a few years ago. Hoping they keep the other intact and preserved. I now they use the good one for food festivals, car shoots and 5k's. I think making one into an indoor garden/recreation area would be fantastic. The problem with SoCal is they don't preserve much, they demotion and forget. Meanwhile most east coast states preserve and reuse fairly well.
I remember the MCAS hangars in Tustin from October 1942 to July 1999 and closed down 17 years ago.
One of the hangars is currently on fire and looks to be burning to the ground. Fire crews are not really trying to put it out, just keep it contained.
It's disgusting. They just stood there and watched it burn and the police aren't even trying to catch the arsonist responsible for this tragedy.
So sad to see this video but great memories at the same time. It is a shame what the Irvine Company has done to the history of MCAS Tustin. Developers win again.
It sure is how the Irvine Company is All greed!
That’s the way the cookie crumbles, I guess…
My team of Free climbers and I have pics of her from the top of the supporting towers!
burned today😂 In a rainy weather. I think it’s irvine company
@@offgrid.Are they posted anywhere? I climbed the ladders back in the late 80’s, lots of barn owls at the top! They were good pigeon control, owls and the hawks.
Was a US Naval Sea Cadet attending the Naval Reserve Center south of these on USMCAS Tustin 1966-1972. In 1968 I was receiving a plaque for setting 5 of 7 Marine Physical Readiness Test (PRT) records. Was being presented by Helicopter Colonel Huntington base CO who had a foot recovering from a Viet Kong bullet. A pilot had been sent over for him to chew out who had just flown a double rotor Chinook Helo through one of the hangars. My plaque would wait as I waited outside the open door. He chewed on the pilot loudly and then leaned forward to his ear and said, “And I wish I’d done that when I arrived.” I grinned. He came out realizing I’d heard it all, and presented the plaque both of us still smiling for the camera.
My squadron, HMM-163 was in Hangar 2 before we deployed to Futemna for six months in 1983. After we returned we were in Hangar 1 until we went Westpac in 85. Very fond memories of both hangars. Sadden to witnessed it burn on that horrible morning.
I went to the stand down today and in didn't expect to see this amazing structure. I will definitely come back if I can.
General Motors debuted the first-ever mid-engine Corvette inside one of the hangars, on July 18, 2019.
Love the history!
Thank you for this>Spent thee years at El Toro.
They should turn it into a museum or something. Lots of history.
Grew up not more than 5 miles from there I remember the last time I was there inside the hangers when still operated by the Marine base during an airshow early 1989 before I moved out of state.
They should survey all of Southern California. Those LTA bases need to stay! What’s wrong with two blimp bases coming down so we can build more houses? We’ve already destroyed all the orchards , bean fields and strawberry fields. We old timers aren’t all dead yet! I remember great air shows there. Many Marine Corps Balls were held at El Toro. How sad to see the great park covering the jet landing strips ! I remain staunch in our desire to preserve both . Even though the houses and shopping centers are slowly creeping in! Let us always remember our men in arms! ❤
And one went down today sadly, 11/07/2023
@@applebee155: Arson
From the Old World , now up in flames Nov 2023
When I checked in there it was MCAS (H) Santa Ana, 77-84, Fantastic times, Wouldn't trade them for Anything. Currently working on the CH-53K to get them to the Fleet. Semper Fi.
Do YOU recall an avionics tech Chris Difiglia, known as "FIG" ? Summer 1979-fall 1982+...brother in arms. MAYBE 232.
So sad. Great history behind…
So sad to see this after the recent fire that burned down one of the hangars
We must catch the arsonist responsible for this, but the TPD seem to being nothing as usual.
Remember Notre Dame?
too sad to hear about the fire - my dad was stationed in Lakehurst and remember one of their hangers and the size was daunting. the helicopters of HC2 flew in and he was there for the maintenance of those birds hope they keep the one thats left -
Fascinating presentation thanks xxx
I thought at least one of them would be turned into an indoor sports facility (soccer, football) for the community kids. These are great buildings that should be preserved. I remember seeing the plans for the neighborhood that was to be built when I worked at a local print shop in Irvine. Then the housing market crashed in 2008 and everything stalled.
My team of Free climbers and I have pics of her from the top of the supporting towers!
HMM-163 Phase Crew/ Flight Line 1979 to 1983. my greatest memories!
Recall an avionics tech.....Chris Difiglia ? We both reported to El Toro at the same time (4th of July 1979). I stayed at El Toro in RF4B Phantom II squadron...he got helicopters, shop on airfield side...maybe 232...HE called Two Thirty Screw. We rotated overlapped tours in early '80s, and I rarely had chance to visit shop in hangars.
Lived right down the street from these ... 1980 to 1993 Walnut Nut East Apts.
So amazing and beautiful!
I got a tour of one of these hangers in 1980's and it was raining inside!
Stationed at Hangar 2 from 74 to 77. HMT-301. Heavy and Medium helicopter Training squadron. Group 16' 3rd Wing. Pilots fresh from flight school learning 46's and 53's. Semper Fi.
Born in 1954 in Torrance, I remember when this base was Active !!
every time we drove by there and always wonder how it look inside. hope they still keep the other hanger.
Grew up in Orange County and saw these structures from the freeway. Sad that one is gone
Great video
HMM 163 after Pensacola. There in 1964 & 1966, with a one year break in Nam. Part of life that will never be forgotten! S/F
One of them just burnt down this morning 😔
Fast forward to 22:40 of this video to see what the Asst City Manager of Tustin said at the time this video was created about the future plans for the site. Doesn't seem like 1 of them burning down today was an accident. 🧐
Rich developers doing shady rich developer things.
Arson.
@@Tyani-sz6cg Irvine Company? 🤔
@@Charles_Anthony 😬
@@ReadySetViral yep
It's so sad how these historic structures were recently engulfed in flames and collapsed...I live like 10 miles away from those Hangars in Mission Viejo.
lived on this base in the late 80s, early 90s, my father worked in the hangers during that time, sad to see neither one exists any longer
Lived in Tustin 15 years not far from the hangers. Hear one burned down and the fire department did not do much to put the fire out. Irvine company wants to clear the old base to make more housing. Hope the other one survives.
Just watched a huell houser episode on these hangars ,wow such marvels .
there was a substation base south of SANAS LTA at were Corona Del Mar Highschool and Eastbluff sit today. Had 2 revetments for K blimps as an emergency airfield
Amazing structure, designed by an Armenian engineer, and a landmark for Tustin. Wish we could actively use it? Sports facilities, concerts? What about the Summer Olympics coming to Los Angeles? If we could ensure it's a safe, healthy building we could restore and save it. I know they used asbestos to fire proof it and i hope that can be isolated or removed. It's important to preserve our heritage instead of tearing down and rebuilding, wasting precious raw material. In Europe, the buildings are 100's of years old, with tall ceilings, and simply refitted with modern plumbing, elevators, and appliances. The walls are a foot thick, insulating and noise reducing. We should aim to build well and preserve more in the US also.
I climbed to the top of one of those in 1972 by way of the zig zagging rafters when I was stationed there in the Marines, Helicopter Squadron HMH-363. The bad influence that talked me into it started throwing fire crackers off the top.. Needless to say I got out of there, slowing descending through the rafters as not to alert the sentry that was on guard duty way down below. I was a young 17 year old PFC and could have gotten into a lot of trouble, but was not caught. One of those was used in the filming of the Hindenburg, with George C. Scott, while I was stationed there in 1974, HMM-161. They burned a replica of the blimp to duplicate the crash for the movie on the LTA base not far from those hangars.
One of the hangars burned down on 11/7/23 R.I.P.
Arson
The video states that all of the wood was treated with salts as a fire retardant. Additionally, if the structure and/or components were given to spontaneous combustion, why not before now? The fire is quite suspicious.