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Estrella Warbirds Museum
Estrella Warbirds Museum Ewmlogo.png
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Established 1992 (1992)
Location Paso Robles, California
Type Military aviation museum
Founder
  • Gary Corippo
  • Glen Thomson

The Estrella Warbirds Museum is an aviation museum dedicated to the restoration and preservation of military aircraft, vehicles, and memorabilia. The museum is located at Paso Robles Municipal Airport in central California and is named after Estrella Army Airfield. In July, 2009, the museum opened an automobile display featuring classic racing cars, The Woodland Auto Display.

History

The museum began in 1993, when it acquired and moved three buildings from a former almond orchard to the airport. Originally founded as the Estrella Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force, it became independent in 2000.

A collection of military vehicles was donated by Herman Pfauter and in 2015 it was placed on display in a new 5,000 sq ft (460 m2) building called the Red Ball Express Motor Pool.

Facilities

Estrella AAF Tower Entrance
Control Tower at the museum entrance

The museum is made up of the Hangar One, Al Schade Restoration Hangar, Thompson Hall, Freedom Hall, Brooks Building, Woodland Auto Display, Hind Pavilion, and Pfauter Building.

Exhibits

Exhibits at the museum include a radio room and a flight simulator.

Collection

Aircraft

F-14B Tomcat at Estrella
Grumman F-14B Tomcat
C-47 Betsy's Biscuit Bomber Estrella
Douglas C-47B Skytrain

Armament and ordnance

As of January 2019, the following armament and ordnance were on exhibit at the museum.

  • Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun
  • M40 105 mm Recoilless Rifle
  • General Dynamics M60A3 main battle tank
  • Quad 50 cal M2 Heavy Barrel Machine Gun
  • United Defense M901 ITV anti-tank vehicle
  • 57mm M1 anti-tank gun
  • ZPU-1 14.5 mm anti-aircraft gun

Military vehicles

As of December 2019, the following military vehicles were on exhibit at the museum.

  • AMC Mighty Mite Jeep
  • Diamond REO M52
  • Dodge M37 WC Truck
  • Dodge M43 Ambulance
  • Dodge WC4 Power Wagon
  • Excelsior Welbike Mark 1
  • FMC Landing Vehicle Tracked LVPT-5
  • FMC Armored Personnel Carrier M113A3
  • Ford GPW Jeep
  • Ford GTBA G622 Burma Jeep
  • Ford Model T Ambulance
  • Ford MUTT Jeep
  • General Motors DUKW 1942 Utility Vehicle AWD
  • Higgins LCVP Landing Craft
  • IHC M35 Series Troop Carrier
  • M35A1 Armored Gun Truck
  • M60A3 Tank
  • Alvis Saracen FV-603 armored personnel carrier
  • White M2 Half Track
  • Willys M274 Mule with 105 mm Recoilless Rifle
  • Willys M38A1 Jeep

Missiles

As of January 2019, the following missiles were on exhibit at the museum.

Other exhibits

  • Link Trainer

Events

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Warbirds, Wings & Wheels

The museum holds an fundraiser event every year called Warbirds, Wings and Wheels.

See also

  • List of aerospace museums
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