Open During Special Events and
By Appointment
THE CALDWELL COLLECTION AT MUSTANG FIELD
A New Era:
Restoring Hangar 3
Preserving the Past, Building the Future
At the heart of The Caldwell Collection at Mustang Field stands a structure as rich in history as the aircraft it will house- a 30,000-square-foot WWII-era hangar. Once an essential part of Mustang Field, a training base for American pilots during World War II, this historic hangar played a role in preparing aviators for combat and shaping the future of military aviation.
Built in 1943, this hangar was part of a bustling airfield where young cadets trained in models displayed around the museum today, learning the fundamentals of flight. These very walls echoed with the sounds of roaring engines, hurried footsteps, and the unwavering determination of those who would go on to serve in the skies.
As decades passed and aviation evolved, the hangar remained, standing as a silent witness to the transformation of Mustang Field into what is now El Reno Regional Airport. Time took its toll, and without preservation, this vital piece of history risked being lost.
Thanks to a collaborative effort between the City of El Reno and The Caldwell Collection at Mustang Field, this hangar is being carefully restored to honor its original design while adapting it for a new purpose. The renovation process, led by David French of D.H. French Construction, building designer Dan Welle of Welle & Company, and featuring interior design by Andrea Edwards, LID, IIDA, NCIDQ of CRPDesign, is bringing this historic structure back to life with:
✔ Structural Reinforcement – Ensuring the building remains strong for future generations.
✔ Authentic Restoration – Preserving its wartime-era architecture while incorporating modern amenities.
✔ Future Museum & Event Space – Transforming the hangar into a shared space to celebrate aviation history and restoration shop, complete with close-up exhibits and live aircraft restoration.
This hangar will not only house some of aviation’s most treasured aircraft but also serve as a gathering place for history enthusiasts, pilots, and the local community. With space for up to 25 historic planes, a dedicated restoration shop, and an event venue, it will become a living tribute to those who trained here and the machines that carried them into history.
Follow the Restoration Journey
We invite you to explore before-during-and-after photos of the renovation process.
Follow along as we breathe new life into this historic framework, keeping history alive.
Feb 2025
Exterior
The transformation begins! This historic WWII-era hangar, once a cornerstone of Mustang Field, is now on its way to becoming the home of The Caldwell Collection at Mustang Field. While its weathered exterior shows the marks of time, this space will soon be restored to its original 1943 character, standing as a tribute to the pilots who trained here and the aircraft that shaped aviation history
Feb 2025
Interior
A blank canvas for something incredible. Inside, decades of clutter and outdated infrastructure have been removed, making way for our aviation museum and restoration shop. Soon, this space will be home to a remarkable collection of vintage aircraft and exhibits, allowing visitors to experience aviation’s Golden Age up close. This is just the beginning— stay tuned as this transformation takes flight!
Demolition
April 2025
Exterior
A fresh face for an aviation icon! New exterior metal siding is now in place, bringing clean lines and historic presence to the structure. This is the first full view of what the restored facade will become.
Exterior
The front of the hangar is taking shape as steel framework continues to be prepped for new windows and doors. Light pours through what will soon become a welcoming entrance to aviation history.
Interior
Solid ground, soaring vision. New concrete flooring has been poured, and clean-up inside the hangar has revealed its full footprint. The space is open, vast, and ready to be transformed into a museum that honors the skies.