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These are colossal landmarks. They dominate the northern Tustin skyline. The hangars are engineering marvels from World War II. This guide details their history, architecture, and how to view them. Discover one of Southern California’s most unique historic sites.

Historic Mission and Construction

The hangars served a critical military purpose. The U.S. Navy needed to protect the coastline.

World War II Airships

Built for World War II airships, the Navy constructed these massive hangars in 1942. They housed K-class blimps that conducted vital coastal patrols. The hangars provided essential shelter and maintenance space while the blimps hunted for enemy submarines.

The Navy constructed the hangars in 1942 for military operations.
K-class blimps lived inside these massive structures.
Blimps conducted frequent coastal patrols to monitor the waters.
Pilots hunted for enemy submarines from the air.
Structures provided dedicated maintenance space and shelter for the airships.

Incredible “6-Week” Build Time

Recognize the incredible “6-week” build time for these massive structures. The military needed the hangars fast to support World War II operations. Crews completed each hangar in approximately six weeks, an astonishing speed for such giant buildings.

Crews built both hangars in approximately six weeks each.
The military demanded fast construction to meet urgent wartime needs.
Workers used prefabricated parts to accelerate the assembly process.
Teams maintained round-the-clock work schedules to hit the deadline.
The construction speed remains astonishing given the massive size of the structures.

Groundbreaking Wooden Architecture

The design and materials are the true wonder. Their construction defies expectations.

Largest Clear-Span Wooden Structures Ever Built

See the largest clear-span wooden structures ever built right in the heart of Tustin. These massive buildings reach a height of 178 feet and span 297 feet in width. Their sheer scale is almost impossible to comprehend up close, as each interior space could easily hold six football fields.

Hangar 1 measures 1,088 feet in total length.
Hangar 2 spans 1,072 feet from end to end.
Each structure reaches a height of 178 feet.
The massive interior could hold six football fields at once.
The clear-span design uses no internal support pillars.

Innovative Laminated Wood Arches

Admire the innovative laminated wood arches that define these historic structures. The framework uses massive glued-laminated timber arches to support the immense weight of the roof. These “glulam” arches represented a revolutionary engineering technique for the 1940s. They provide incredible structural strength while leaving the interior space completely open.

Glulam arches form the primary structural framework of the hangars.
Revolutionary techniques allowed for massive spans using only timber.
Massive strength supports the entire roof without any interior columns.
Open interiors provide unobstructed space for housing multiple aircraft.
Laminated timber replaced steel to conserve metal for other wartime needs.

Distinctive Side Profiles

Note the distinctive side profiles of the hangars, which feature a unique parabolic shape. This specific engineering design allows the massive structures to withstand high winds. Crews constructed the walls using over two million board feet of Douglas fir.

Parabolic shapes create a unique and recognizable silhouette on the Tustin skyline.
Aerodynamic design helps the structures withstand high wind speeds.
Douglas fir makes up the primary material for the hangar walls.
Two million board feet of lumber went into each massive structure.
Wooden construction conserved critical steel supplies during the war effort.

Operational History and Closure

The hangars served for decades beyond the war.

Naval Operations for 50 Years

Marine Corps Air Station Tustin supported naval operations for over 50 years. After the blimp era ended, the facility transitioned into the country’s first military airfield dedicated solely to helicopter operations. The iconic wooden hangars provided ideal indoor storage and maintenance space for massive squadrons until the base officially closed in 1999.

Support naval operations for more than five decades from 1942 to 1999.
Transition to helicopters occurred in 1951 to support the Korean War.
House thirteen squadrons by 1952, including units like HMR-161 and VMO-2.
Shelter diverse aircraft like the CH-46 “Sea Knight” and CH-53 “Sea Stallion” inside the giant structures.
Serve as a major center for Marine Corps aviation during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.
Close the base in July 1999 as part of the military’s base realignment plan.

Modern Challenges and Preservation

The community faces modern challenges regarding the preservation of these historic landmarks. Hangar 1 suffered a significant partial roof collapse in 2013, which heightened safety concerns. In 2024, crews proactively dismantled Hangar 2 to prevent further hazards. Discussions about the future of the remaining structure remain complex and costly for the city.

Hangar 1 suffered a partial roof collapse in 2013.
Crews proactively dismantled Hangar 2 for public safety in 2024.
The community discusses the future of the remaining structures.
Preservation efforts remain highly complex and expensive.
The city evaluates long-term plans for the historic site.

Monument to American Ingenuity

Standing near the Tustin Blimp Hangars is a humbling experience. You witness a structural solution born from wartime urgency and a true testament to human engineering. These massive wooden landmarks represent a unique era of military history. The sheer scale of these buildings inspires immediate awe in every visitor.

Witness a solution born from the urgent needs of World War II.
See a testament to innovative human engineering and timber construction.
Feel the scale of structures that remain among the world’s largest.
Experience the awe of standing next to 17-story wooden arches.
Appreciate the history preserved within these colossal military icons.

Cultural and Community Impact

The hangars are more than old buildings. They are woven into the city’s identity.

Influence on Local Development

See how these historic structures influence local development through the “Tustin Legacy” project. This major master-planned community now thrives where the old airfield once stood. While new parks, modern homes, and vibrant shops replace the runways, the hangars remain the central historic focal point of the entire district.

Explore Tustin Legacy, a massive redevelopment of the former Marine Corps Air Station.
Visit expansive parks built on the grounds of the historic airfield.
Shop and dine in new retail centers surrounding the iconic structures.
View the hangars as the primary landmarks of this growing neighborhood.
Observe the balance between modern urban living and preserved military history.

“Largest Wooden Structures in the World”

Presence in Daily Life

Locals feel the presence of the hangars in their daily lives, often using the massive structures as a primary navigational landmark. These buildings serve as a powerful symbol of the city’s unique history and military heritage. Because they dominate the horizon, their future remains a topic of deep interest and frequent discussion among residents.

Navigate the city by using the iconic silhouettes as a geographic guide.
Represent Tustin’s identity through these symbols of local history.
Join the conversation regarding the preservation and future use of the site.
See the landmarks from miles away as you travel through Orange County.
Connect with neighbors over shared interest in this historic community focal point.

View the Landmarks

The hangars sit on secure, fenced Navy property, so you cannot walk inside the structures. However, you can view them impressively from several public streets that border the site. The structures look most dramatic at sunrise or sunset, and you should bring a wide-angle lens to capture their full scale.

View Hangar 1 from the intersection of Armstrong Avenue and Warner Avenue for the best photo angles.
Observe the footprint of Hangar 2 from nearby public streets to understand its massive size.
Drive the perimeter along Armstrong, Warner, and Edinger Avenues to gain a full perspective of the site.
Read historical markers and plaques located near the intersections for key facts and context.
Respect all barriers and never cross fences into the restricted, actively monitored Navy property.
Stay in public areas to ensure your safety and follow all posted closures.

Witness these wooden giants for yourself. Contemplate the history they contain. Capture a photograph that barely captures their size. Discover why these structures are iconic, unforgettable landmarks. They are a powerful link to the past in modern Orange County.

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Phone: (714) 573-3316
Website: www.tustinca.org
Address: Tustin Blimp Hangars, 2525 E Warner Ave, Tustin, CA 92782
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