Our Mission
Preserving the Spirit of Innovation—In the Skies and on the Ground
At North Bay Air Museum, located at 0Q3 in Sonoma Valley, we honor the legacy of transportation pioneers by preserving both historic aircraft and groundbreaking automotive designs. Our museum showcases not only the warbirds that defended freedom, but also the visionaries who flew them and went on to reshape automotive history.
From legendary figures like Carroll Shelby, who served as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot before becoming a motorsports icon and creator of the Shelby Cobra and Ford GT programs to innovators such as Karl‑Gottfried Nordmann, a WWII fighter ace who later led Mercedes‑Benz in North America, we illuminate the remarkable path from cockpit to car factory.
Soon we will have immersive exhibits and dynamic programming, to compliment our community-driven events, as we continue to explore the intersection of flight and ground transportation, celebrating design, engineering, mission, and the men and women who bridged both worlds. Whether it’s the roar of a P‑51 Mustang, the curves of a Cobra, or the aerodynamic insights that transitioned from wings to wheels, NBAM connects past to present in stories that educate, inspire, and ignite curiosity.
The Aircraft
Our beautifully restored aircraft allow us to share the WWII flight experience with anyone from 8 years of age to 102 (our oldest passenger)! If you are a WWII Veteran, the flight is on us.
Currently on loan to the museum, and available for flights, are a Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk, and a North American P51 Mustang. In addition, we feature a number of display aircraft that highlight the beauty of aeronautical engineering throughout the decades.
The Airport
Sonoma Valley Airport (aka Schellville) was started by Waldemar “Wally” Reichelt not long after he was discharged from the US Army at the end of WWII. Since then, many pilots have earned their wings on these runways and every manner of aircraft has graced the skies over this part of Sonoma. Currently, the Vintage Aircraft Company operates an aero tours business flying a pair of 1942 Boeing Stearman biplanes and one T6 “Texan.” They fit in perfectly next to the museum’s P40 and P51 that were built in the same era. We are proud to be a part of the Sonoma Valley Airport family and honored to continue its rich flying history.
SVA is a privately-owned Public Use Airport serving Sonoma County since 1946. Schellville airport receives no funding from any government agency (tax payer dollars).
