History 1950 Drag Race at MCAF - Santa Ana (Tustin) ... PICS!!!

This pic really shows the roots of my street roadster build. I've had this car in my mind for years and it is so excellent to see a pic of one so similar. Thanks for the pics!

 

Another photo of Earl Evans' #76 Belly Tank at the event:

photographer unknown
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HEMI32: Thanks for posting Bob Canaan's terrific period images. Is the first photo (rear view of cars on starting line) also one of Mr. Canaan's images? I have found all the rest on the Revs Institute website, but cannot seem to find the first shot there.

 

It's most likely a Canaan image ... but I can't confirm that because it's actually a copy of an uncredited photograph that was used in the September 1950 HOT ROD magazine article entitled “Action on the Airstrip.”

 

Cool!

 

The #48 roadster is Jim Nelson, Dragmaster Jim Nelson

 

Dean -

As usual, you are correct ... I found this pic of Jim with the roadster in my archives:

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Thanks for your reply. I was hoping to use that image on a placard I'm producing for a display at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Museum. Can you tell me where you sourced the image for use in this thread? Is it available online? I haven't been able to find another photo that does such a nice job of depicting a pre-NHRA drag racing event. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

Yet another photo of Earl Evans' #76 Belly Tank at the event:

©AHRF image from the Barney Navarro Collection
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Great pics of the drags. you can't appreciate the size of one of those blimp hangers until you are in one.

 

Looks like a SCTA flying wheel logo under line up OFFICIA shirt/jacket..

 

The blue outline in the area map photo below.

Hey @HEMI32,

Yesterday we were driving around to various spots in the OC to put some miles on the new tires of my wife’s station wagon. We ended up in Irvine near her sister’s house and then it was a short hop over to the Tustin Air Base and those TWO large historic hangars.

In most of the stories about the historic hangars, there is mention of the large one near the timing tower. That is still the main one in the old airfield/dragstrip area. But, to my surprise the second one is closer to a public road and it looms very large for most drivers.

1950’s drag race and sporting events with the 2nd hangar in the background.

TODAY, 2ND HANGAR LOCATION …red outline in the map photo above

The place still reeks of history and with the TWO HANGARS within reaching distance of the general public. It is located in a new area called the TUSTIN Legacy. Right now, there is a huge apartment complex directly across the street from the 2nd hangar where all of the public events take place. Car shows, emergency preparedness events and even a public showing of the GM presentation of the brand new Corvette.
It is pretty barren, currently, but the development will be built right up to the property that houses the two hangars.

Jnaki

The area will still be historic, it is just that those two hangars will be a part of the whole developed area and still stay the same as back when they were used regularly.

APRIL 15, 2021

 

In 1970, I stood guard duty from midnight till four in the morning in one of the hangars after my return from Vietnam. The hangar was empty at that time, doors at each end closed, and I was armed with a military shotgun and four rounds. You have no idea how scary and unnerving it is with the wood beams creaking, owls making strange sounds, and echoes.

 

Junji @jnaki -

Thanks for your post!

If you haven't already done so, be sure to checkout the "The Tustin Hangars: Titans of History An historical account of the MCAS Tustin Hangars" document I attached in post #20.​

- Todd @HEMI32

 

great vintage images, thanx

 

Thanks for your service !

 

Thanks Jnaki for posting the latest pictures.

 

Hemi, once again you have come through in aces.That no. 65 sure floats my boat.

 

@Jive-Bomber's Film of the Week: Santa Ana Races in Summer 1950 TJJ Blog got me to bump this old thread BTTT.

 

Some bad news....

Fire tears through historic WWII blimp hangar in Southern California | Fox News


Fire officials said the only way to fight the fire raging inside the mostly wooded structure was to let the hangar collapse. (Orange County Fire Authority )

 

...that's sad...

We had a heritage structure burn down recently...arson...at the end of the day it's burned but if it was arson...that stings even more...the structure our way was from the 1800s...that structure looks pre WW11...sad

 

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Thanks for your effort

 

Hello,

Here is the latest photo from Tustin, CA. The Main Tustin blimp hangar's remains...

Jnaki

Gone, but not forgotten...

 

So sad...yeah it's only an old building but it's Heritage...was it vacant?

 

Hello S,

Luckily, no one was inside the structure, just some normal storage stuff. But, it is all gone. The structure is one of the tallest structures in the area and sticks out from just about anywhere with sight lines of the old Tustin Air Base.


The fire is in the North hangar that once housed blimps used in WW 2. They both stand 17 stories high, are over 1,000 feet long and 300 feet wide. They were, and still are, two of the largest wooden structures ever built.

The closest public access with a clear site/vision is the winding road to the left of the photo. The yellow
lines to the right are where the old listed drag race event was held.


Jnaki
They are a sight to behold up close and at 17 stories high, taller than most buildings in the area. If one drives on the winding public road, it connects to the closest view site for both hangars. If one takes that road West, it changes names as you drive, goes past the area where the Donut Derelict area is located. It arrives at the back of the Bolsa Chica Inland Preserve “swampy” area near the old “Tin Can Beach.”
Hangar Two South, still standing and very close to the public street.

 

Awesome as always Mr.H

 

Similar history here in Oregon with Blimp hangars and fire:
Tillamook Air Museum In Oregon Is Housed In A WWII Blimp Hanger (onlyinyourstate.com)

Moffett Field in the bay area also had and has one.....

 

That first pic you posted... I mean does it get any better?!?!?! Hell no! If only I had a time machine. Thanks for sharing.