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Warbirds Soar at the Palm Springs Air Museum |
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Written by Kip Allen
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Wednesday, 15 July 2009 |
Flying Tigers P-40
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Palm Springs Air Museum
Palm Springs, California
Story by Kip Allen
Photos by Cathy Jardine
To see more Cathy Jardine photos of the Palm Springs Air Museum, click here.
Palm Springs, Calif., is home to one of the largest, flyable collection of World War II aircraft in existence. It's not unusual to see a shark-nosed P-40 Warhawk fighter emblazoned with the insignia of the famous Flying Tigers or hear the rumble of a massive four-engined B-17 Flying Fortress bomber as they fly in the clear skies above this desert community.
Palm Springs Air Museum
The museum is housed in a series of large, brightly lit and air-conditioned hangers on Gene Autry Trail, next to the Palm Springs International Airport. It's difficult to miss the museum because of the static display of jet aircraft in the front, including such familiar warbirds as the F-14 Tomcat made famous in the movie "Top Gun" and an A-6 Intruder from the movie "Flight of the Intruder."
Inside, the museum becomes a time machine. Not only are there vintage aircraft on display, but scale models of famous warships; murals by aviation artist Stan Stokes, including his tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen; the Buddy Rodgers Theater showing a continuous series of short films; and individual displays dedicated to such themes as the Doolittle Raid, Bob Hope and Hollywood personalities who served in uniform.
Flight Simulator
The museum houses a library with more than 6,300 volumes related to World War II and aviation (including comic books!). It has Life Magazine issues from 1936-49. Also there is a learning center with flight simulators, especially popular with youngsters.
Docents O.B. Carter, Bill Rhodes and Jack Jolly
The docents are among the museum's most exciting assets. These volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable about the aircraft and history of the era. Some are even World War II veterans who actually flew some of the aircraft on display.
B-17 Flying Fortress
One hanger is dedicated to a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress. This bomber was gained fame in the skies above occupied Europe when fliers of the Eighth Air Force took the fight to the German heartland. Its 10-man crew endured hours in subzero temperatures facing Nazi fighters and flak to deliver bombs on the enemy target.
PBY Catalina
One unsung hero of World War II was the Consolidated PBY Catalina. This long-range flying boat was used in all theaters of the war by Allied forces for reconnaissance, antisubmarine patrol and air-sea rescue.
Horace Bristol's Gunner
One of the most famous photos of the war shows a PBY blister gunner manning a machine gun right after he rescued and injured pilot from the water. The PBY landed in a Japanese-held harbor to save the American flier and was under fire the entire time.
The Palm Springs Air Museum features monthly events, often a lecture usually with a flyby. It's open seven days a week, except for holidays. Active duty military and their families are admitted free of charge.
To see more Cathy Jardine photos of the Palm Springs Air Museum, click here.
For more about Stan Stokes, click here.
For more about Horace Bristol, click here.
For more about the Palm Springs Air Museum, click here.
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Kip Allen |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 July 2009 )
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