Over 50 vintage aircraft (many flyable) housed in over 90,000 square feet of climate controlled hangars. Flight Exhibitions most Saturdays Nov - April, plus children's activities. Warbird Rides available.
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It’s #WarbirdWednesday! Today’s video features the F4U Corsair, presented by Vice Chairman Fred Bell.
Make sure to go to https://www.youtube.com/c/palmspringsairmuseum and hit SUBSCRIBE to be notified as we add more videos to our YouTube channel!
We're pleased to share another video from the PSAM library, filmed in 2010 as part of the Museum’s commemoration of the 65th Anniversary of the ending of WWII. In this video, veterans talk about the US "island-hopping" campaign, a strategy targeting key islands and atolls to capture and equip with airstrips, bringing B-29 bombers within range of the enemy homeland, while hopping over strongly defended islands. This video Saturday programs
Your support to the Palm Springs Air Museum makes these programs possible. If you're not a member, please consider becoming one by signing up at https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/membership-options/.
We are reminiscing about the Reno Airshow in September 2019 with a video of our P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly” returning from a check flight. Enjoy!
We are bringing the museum to you with our new series #WarbirdWednesday! Today’s video features the P-51 Mustang, presented by Vice Chairman Fred Bell.
Make sure to go to https://www.youtube.com/c/palmspringsairmuseum and hit SUBSCRIBE to be notified as we add more videos to our channel!
Did you know that you can support the Palm Springs Air Museum with your Amazon purchases?
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
To change your charitable organization to Palm Springs Air Museum:
1. Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser.
2. From your desktop, go to Your Account from the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the option to Change your Charity. Or, from your mobile browser, select Change your Charity from the options at the bottom of the page.
3. Select Palm Springs Air Museum as the organization to support.
For more information about the AmazonSmile program, go to http://smile.amazon.com/about.
Thank you for supporting the Palm Springs Air Museum!
A gallery of our WWII aircraft on display at the Palm Springs Air Museum. If you’ve visited the museum on a Saturday, you may even have had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of one of these warbirds. Our “Open Cockpit” program is a way to really experience what it must have felt like to be flying combat. Post your photo in the comment below if you have had a closeup with one of these amazing warbirds!
+ permanent collection
* on loan
+ permanent collection
* on loan
+ permanent collection
* on loan
“The Tuskegee Airmen Story” by Rusty Burns showing recently departed Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Bob Friend. This video is part of the PSAM Educational Program, which is usually held at the Air Museum every Saturday from October through May.
The Tuskegee Airmen Story: https://youtu.be/JYcqJyk-OQc
Make sure to subscribe to our Youtube Channel to be notified as we post more videos from our Educational Program.
Subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PalmSpringsAirMuseum
This video is part of the Palm Springs Air Museum Educational Series. Please help keep history alive by making a donation to the Palm Springs Air Museum. htt...
Featured Aircraft: P-51 Mustang “Bunny”
The P-51 Mustang was an invaluable addition to the Allied cause in the latter half of World War II. Primarily, they assisted in escorting bomber on long-range sorties but were also able to attack ground targets with bombs and machine guns.
Overall, the P-51 exhibited a clean and sleek design approach thanks to its choice of in-line engine. The pilot sat at the center of the design, just above and aft of the low monoplane straight-wing assembly. The distinct air scoop was positioned to the rear and below the pilot, giving the Mustang series its distinct look while eliminating drag in the process.
While the Tuskegee Airmen flew many different aircraft, it was the P-51 with which they became most commonly associated with. The Palm Springs Air Museum’s “Bunny” was painted in 2012 with the markings of the P-51 flown by Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Bob Friend in WW2. At a gala honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, nine Tuskegee Airmen signed the Red Tail of this plane.
Please help us keep this important part of history alive by donating to the Palm Springs Air Museum
https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/donate/
An update from the Palm Springs Air Museum on impact and resources, a letter to our supporters: https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/dear-psam-supporters/
Please donate at https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/donate/
To our Staff and Volunteers:
We are in the midst of weathering a storm. We neither caused this storm or sought it out. Never the less, we are on the choppy waves of this sea. It is natural to be apprehensive and fearful. The way forward is fogged by the unknown. If I can, I want to offer you solace in the that we are a great family. Tethered by the common love of a dream. That dream is the Palm Springs Air Museum. In the past, we have faced uncertainty and nearly fell into the abyss from the loss of our Founder. Despite that and many other challenges, we fought back from the brink of that chasm to become one of the premier facilities in the Country. We did this not by boast, or over-confidence. It was accomplished by hard work and a steely refusal to yield in the pursuit of that dream.
We represent the duty, honor, and sacrifice of our warriors that faced hardships well beyond this current fight. It is incumbent on us to take up this fight with the same vigor and sacrifice our warriors have displayed in the face of adversity since the founding of our Republic. Now as we face this new challenge, it is incumbent on all of us to face this storm with the same resolve and determination we have shown in the past. Will the road ahead be easy? I would be foolish to tell you that it will. But whatever challenge we may face I am confident that we will overcome it together – as a family. As a family that has had its strength tested time and time again and prevailed.
As we navigate the way forward we will need each of you. In the coming weeks, as the situation becomes more clear, expect we will be reaching out to light this dark road. In the meantime, be safe and take care of yourselves.
“All the greatest things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope.” – Winston Churchill
May God Bless each of you, your families, and our great nation.
Fred Bell
Vice Chairman
Palm Springs Air Museum's cover photo
The Palm Springs Air Museum will be temporarily closed due to the risk posed by the Coronavirus. The closure is effective starting March 18th and we hope to reopen on April 6th. The decision comes in accordance with guidelines issued by the California Department of Public Health.
If you had a ride booked on one of our warbirds, you will be contacted for a refund or to reschedule.
Please watch for updates on our social media or sign up for our email list http://bit.ly/PSAMemailupdates
Dear Valued Guest,
As an update to yesterday's communication, the Palm Springs Air Museum is committed to the health and safety of our visitors, members, docents, and staff. Our four hangars' doors will be fully open, allowing for increased ventilation and plenty of space to see the aircraft on display. Hand sanitizer dispenser units are located at the entrance and in each hangar.
Out of an abundance of caution, walk-in exhibits B-17 and C-119 and the Library will be closed until further notice.
In addition, we have increased our regular disinfection of common surfaces using a hospital-grade disinfectant to an hourly rotation. We have contracted with a professional service to disinfect the restrooms and all flat services daily after we close.
All employees and docents have been instructed in the guidelines and recommendations of the CDC, WHO and the Riverside County Department of Health, as outlined below:
1. Refrain from hugging and handshaking. Greet people without bodily contact. Six feet social distance is recommended.
2. Wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds (sing happy birthday, which should take the allotted amount of time). Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth.
3. If feeling unwell, monitor your temperature. Fever is the most commonly reported first symptom of the disease. Please stay home if you think you are getting sick.
Everyone should endeavor to protect themselves by embracing the measures listed above.
As always, it is important to take care of yourself and support your immune system. Eat and sleep well, and enjoy the sunshine.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Fred Bell
Vice Chairman
Palm Springs Air Museum
The Palm Springs Air Museum remains open but as a precaution, we are canceling our March special programs.
Please visit our website for our latest COVID-19 Coronavirus safety measures.
For more information, go to: https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/covid-19-announcement/
Don’t take it from us, hear what the warbird experience is like from one of our visitors! Thank you, Brad, for visiting the Palm Springs Air Museum and sharing your T-33 flying experience.
Warbird Rides start at $99 and can be booked online at http://bit.ly/WarbirdRidesPS. Book a ride in one of our 4 warbirds: C-47 Skytrain, P-51 Mustang, T-28B Trojan or the T-33 Shooting Star Jet for an experience of a lifetime!
It’s a great day to visit the museum! Spend the day exploring our four indoor hangars featuring 59 flyable and static planes on display. Take a moment to chat with some of our docents, many of them actually flew these planes and served on the ships. Make sure to stop by the library upstairs and take a turn at our flight simulators, or stop by the Buddy Rogers museum for documentaries shown daily. We look forward to seeing you!
Learn more about our museum by visiting psam.org.
Today, on #InternationalWomensDay, we honor and recognize three of our 2020 Annual Gala Honorees:
Lt. General Stayce Harris USAF (Ret)
LCDR Mary “Hacksaw” Ruttum, USN (Active Duty)
Dr. Rhea Seddon, NASA astronaut, physician, author
Thank you for your service!
Lt. General Stayce Harris USAF (Ret) is Inspector General of the Air Force, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, DC. She reports to the Secretary & Chief of Staff of the Air Force on matters re: Air Force effectiveness, efficiency, & the military discipline of active duty, Air Force Reserve & Air National Guard forces. She received a commission in the Air Force through USC’s Air Force ROTC program. She served on active duty until joining the Air Force Reserve in 1991. She holds several degrees, has received numerous awards, and has commanded an airlift squadron, an expeditionary operations group, an air refueling wing, & a numbered air force.
LCDR Mary “Hacksaw” Ruttum, USN (Active Duty) majored in Systems Engineering & graduated from the US Naval Academy in 2010. After earning her wings in 2012, she flew F-18s. After graduating from the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School, TOPGUN, she transitioned to the Joint Strike Fighter program and piloted F-35C aircraft. Her job at VFA-125 was to transition the first Navy squadron (VFA-147) from F-18Es to F-35Cs and to train the first Category 1 pilots coming from T-45s to fly the F-35C. She then joined the Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific. Her job now is to train that first fleet squadron (VFA-147) and prepare them for their first combat deployment.
Dr. Rhea Seddon, NASA astronaut, physician, author is a surgeon by training. She was selected as one of the first women astronauts in 1978. During her 19 years with NASA she flew on three Space Shuttle missions for a total of 30 days in space. Since her spaceflight career, Dr. Seddon has been a healthcare executive, an entrepreneur, an award-winning author and a successful public speaker. Most recently she served as president of a large charitable organization. She was the eighth woman inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame. She is married to fellow astronaut, Capt. Robert “Hoot” Gibson and they have three “Astrotots’’.
Open cockpit in our Supermarine Spitfire today Saturday, March 7 at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm! This is an incredible opportunity to sit in the cockpit of the British fighter aircraft that is a hero of the Battle of Britain and featured in the motion picture “Dunkirk”.
Stay for a special day with a Canadian Military Tribute starting at 11 am and followed by a flight demonstration of the Beech Staggerwing!
Open cockpit, special presentation and flight exhibit are all included with regular paid admission.
For a full schedule of the day please go to psam.org. Welcome to the Palm Springs Air Museum!
This Staggerwing will be flying at the Air Museum tomorrow, Saturday March 7th!
Originally used as the “business executive” plane of its time, in 1942 the US Army Air Forces ordered the first of 270 Model 17s for service within the United States and overseas as the UC-43. To meet urgent wartime needs, the government also purchased or leased additional "Staggerwings" from private owners.
Come see this biplane in action after Canadian Military Tribute, for full details of tomorrow's program, please visit https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/programs/canadian-military-tribute/
Please join with us tomorrow, Saturday February 29th, in celebration of the 100th Birthday of Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Robert Friend (Feb 29, 1920 - June 21, 2019). Our P-51 Mustang "Bunny" dedicated to the Colonel will fly along with another P-51A in honor following a special program at 1:00pm.
From 10:30am - 12:30pm, you can climb in to the cockpit of our P-40 Warhawk, another of the aircraft flown by the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. And for a very special experience on this very special day, you can even fly in our P-51 Mustang "Bunny". The excitement of sitting in that "Red Tail" as that Rolls Royce Merlin engine starts up is one you will never forget!
To book your flight please click here at https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/warbirdrides/. Warbird rides also available in our Paratrooper C-47 "What's Up Doc?" starting at $99.00.
"Open Cockpit" in our P-40 Warhawk, special program and flight demonstration free with your regular admission.
Join us for some very special events this Saturday, February 29, at the Air Museum!
Open Cockpit 10:30am - 12:30pm
Open cockpit in our P-40 Warhawk of Flying Tigers fame! Climb on in and see what it is like sitting in the pilot's seat of the pursuit plane that had a 12-to-1 victory ratio over the Japanese.
Special Program at 1pm: “Murder of a Tuskegee Airman”
This is a story of a Red Tail P-51 pilot shot down over Austria in a dogfight during the last days of WWI. He was later found murdered after being picked up for transportation by two Luftwaffe officers. Jerry Whiting discusses the situation in Austria at that time and the reasons this airman and many other airmen were murdered in Austria during the final days of WWII.
Celebration of Tuskegee Airman Bob Friend
After the program, there will be a short video in celebration of recently departed Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Bob Friend, who would have been 100 years old on this day, Feb 29, 2020. Friend’s family will be in attendance, and we will have a birthday cake to be shared with everyone there.
P-51 Flight Exhibitions
And, there will be not one, but TWO P-51 Mustangs in the air: Our P-51D Mustang Bunny and Planes of Fame’s P-51A Mustang. Flight exhibitions follow the program.
Open cockpit, special program and flight exhibition all included with regular paid admission.
Open cockpit in our Supermarine Spitfire this Saturday, February 22 from 10:30am - 12:30pm! This is an incredible opportunity! The British fighter aircraft is a hero of the Battle of Britain and featured in the motion picture "Dunkirk".
Climb on in and sit in the pilot's seat of this tremendously powerful plane with later designed Rolls Royce Griffon engines producing over 2,300 horsepower! Imagine what it was like to be one of the flyers to whom Winston Churchill spoke: "Never was so much owed by so many to so few".
At 1:00pm join us for the special presentation “Fork-Tailed Devil: The P-38 Lightning Story”. Hear the story of the plane and the pilots that battled the Germans and Japanese to the war’s finish delivering many a heavy punch.
Presenter: Mr. Michael Carra.
Open cockpit and special presentation included with regular paid admission.
Thanks!
745 N Gene Autry Trl
Palm Springs, CA
92262
Museum is open daily 10 to 5. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and usually the 2nd Friday in February, for the annual fundraising gala. Check the website - on occasion the museum may close due to a private event, or if a dignitary is flying into Palm Springs. Our back tarmac is adjacent to the Palm Springs International Airport.
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It’s #WarbirdWednesday! Today’s video features the F4U Corsair, presented by Vice Chairman Fred Bell. Make sure to go to https://www.youtube.com/c/palmspringsairmuseum and hit SUBSCRIBE to be notified as we add more videos to our YouTube channel!
We're pleased to share another video from the PSAM library, filmed in 2010 as part of the Museum’s commemoration of the 65th Anniversary of the ending of WWII. In this video, veterans talk about the US "island-hopping" campaign, a strategy targeting key islands and atolls to capture and equip with airstrips, bringing B-29 bombers within range of the enemy homeland, while hopping over strongly defended islands. This video Saturday programs Your support to the Palm Springs Air Museum makes these programs possible. If you're not a member, please consider becoming one by signing up at https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/membership-options/.
We are reminiscing about the Reno Airshow in September 2019 with a video of our P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly” returning from a check flight. Enjoy!
We are bringing the museum to you with our new series #WarbirdWednesday! Today’s video features the P-51 Mustang, presented by Vice Chairman Fred Bell. Make sure to go to https://www.youtube.com/c/palmspringsairmuseum and hit SUBSCRIBE to be notified as we add more videos to our channel!
Don’t take it from us, hear what the warbird experience is like from one of our visitors! Thank you, Brad, for visiting the Palm Springs Air Museum and sharing your T-33 flying experience. Warbird Rides start at $99 and can be booked online at http://bit.ly/WarbirdRidesPS. Book a ride in one of our 4 warbirds: C-47 Skytrain, P-51 Mustang, T-28B Trojan or the T-33 Shooting Star Jet for an experience of a lifetime!
This Staggerwing will be flying at the Air Museum tomorrow, Saturday March 7th! Originally used as the “business executive” plane of its time, in 1942 the US Army Air Forces ordered the first of 270 Model 17s for service within the United States and overseas as the UC-43. To meet urgent wartime needs, the government also purchased or leased additional "Staggerwings" from private owners. Come see this biplane in action after Canadian Military Tribute, for full details of tomorrow's program, please visit https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/programs/canadian-military-tribute/
Please join with us tomorrow, Saturday February 29th, in celebration of the 100th Birthday of Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Robert Friend (Feb 29, 1920 - June 21, 2019). Our P-51 Mustang "Bunny" dedicated to the Colonel will fly along with another P-51A in honor following a special program at 1:00pm. From 10:30am - 12:30pm, you can climb in to the cockpit of our P-40 Warhawk, another of the aircraft flown by the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. And for a very special experience on this very special day, you can even fly in our P-51 Mustang "Bunny". The excitement of sitting in that "Red Tail" as that Rolls Royce Merlin engine starts up is one you will never forget! To book your flight please click here at https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/warbirdrides/. Warbird rides also available in our Paratrooper C-47 "What's Up Doc?" starting at $99.00. "Open Cockpit" in our P-40 Warhawk, special program and flight demonstration free with your regular admission.
Get to your airplane! Jump on in the pilot's seat of our Grumman F4F Wildcat for "Open Cockpit"! This Saturday February 15 from 10:30am - 12:30pm. You will actually be in the cockpit of a truly historical aircraft, the Wildcat was the only effective fighter available to the United States Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater during the early part of World War II in 1941 and 1942. Take the controls and see what it was like. At 1:00pm join us for the special presentation "Hollywood & the Home Front" about the morale-building war dramas, troop entertainment, and training films that contributed to the war effort. And following the program will be a flight exhibit of the F4U Corsair fighter, right on the ramp and right down the runway in front of you. An exciting day at the Palm Springs Air Museum. "Open Cockpit", special presentation, and flight exhibit all free with regular paid admission. Thanks!
Get in the cockpit yourself after watching this Navy training film and you will be all set to go! This Saturday, February 8th 10:30am - 12:30pm. Open cockpit in our AT-6 Texan! Climb on in and sit in the pilot's seat of the advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force, and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1970s. Later flying combat in many Air Forces around the world! So get in some flight training like it once was in our fully air-conditioned hangars! Special program at 1:00pm about the heroic 100th Bomb Group of World War II. Followed by a flyover with our Paratrooper C-47 "What's Up Doc?" Have lunch in our Cafe and buy a special gift in our gift shop. Over sixty aircraft, endless historical displays, unique vehicles from World War II and flight simulators. Much to see and much to do all day here at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Open Cockpit and Special Program Free with your regularly paid admission. Thanks!
Come fly with us! Our warbird rides start at $99 and are an experience to be remembered for a lifetime. Choose from 4 different aircraft; the C-47 Skytrain, T-28 Trojan, P-51D Mustang or the T-33 Shooting Star Jet! Book your ride now at http://bit.ly/WarbirdRidesPS Video shows Our World War II Paratrooper C-47 "What's Up Doc?" flight experience.
Make your plans now for some weekend flying excitement! Twenty T-34 "Mentor" training aircraft will be flying in to our ramp. Starting to arrive Friday afternoon and then on Saturday they will be taxi'ing in and out and then doing formation flying down the runway right in front of you. Sunday morning will be more flying and then departures. The T-34 "Mentor" aircraft trained our military pilots for sixty years after it was first designed. Come meet the pilots and hear about the fun of flying this tremendously versatile aircraft. The T-34 Fly-in sponsored by the Air Force Association Palm Springs January 25 & 26, 2020, 10:00am - 3:00pm. Program free with regular admission.
You can fly with us! Starting at only $99 per person in our World War II Paratrooper C-47 "What's Up Doc?". Most every Saturday and Sunday. You can also fly in our powerful T-28 Trojan trainer and our T-33 Shooting Star jet. And for the ultimate historical flight experience, fly in our iconic "Red Tail" P-51 Mustang "Bunny" dedicated to the famed Tuskegee Airmen. You will never forget the starting up and sound of that powerful Rolls Royce Merlin engine. Book your ride at: https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/warbirdrides/ Thank you!
You are invited to attend the Palm Springs Air Museum star-studded annual gala on February 21st! Featuring celebrity Master of Ceremonies, Joe Mantegna, and musical entertainment by Frankie Avalon, performing with Matt Mauser and the Pete Jacobs Big Band. Tickets are available at: http://bit.ly/PSAMGalaTickets
Imagine yourself sitting in the cockpit in what was called a tank of a fighter aircraft in World War II. Now come on in and actually get in the pilot's seat of our P-47 Thunderbolt for "Open Cockpit" this Saturday, January 18th from 10:30am - 12:30pm. Then watch another P-47 taxi out from our ramp to fly in front of you right down the runway following our 1:00pm program, "SHOT DOWN: True story of B-17 pilot Howard Snyder and crew". The P-47 Thunderbolt was armed with eight .50 caliber machine guns and five inch rockets or a 2,500 pound bomb load. Weighing in at almost eight tons, the "Jug" as it was called, with it's turbosupercharger, achieved it's maximum speed of 433mph at 29,000 feet despite it huge size and weight. Pilots would say that you could fly it through a brick wall and survive! Open Cockpit and program free with your regular admission. Thank You!
This day in history… The Casablanca Conference (codename: SYMBOL) was held at the Anfa Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, from January 14 to 24, 1943, to plan the Allied European strategy for the next phase of World War II. In attendance were United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British prime minister Winston Churchill. Also attending and representing the Free French forces were Generals Charles de Gaulle and Henri Giraud. The conference agenda addressed the specifics of tactical procedure, allocation of resources, and the broader issues of diplomatic policy. The debate and negotiations produced what was known as the Casablanca Declaration, and perhaps its most historically provocative statement of purpose, "unconditional surrender". Video shows FDR and other dignitaries at the Casablanca Conference.
This Saturday... Open cockpit in our F-104 Starfighter! Climb on in and see what it is like sitting in the pilot's seat of this aircraft that set so very many speed and altitude world records. Our own Colonel Bob Lilac was one of the very few test pilots, along with Chuck Yeager, who flew the "N" rocket-powered version to the edges of Outer Space! Take a moment and listen to his story about what that was like! Experience the excitement yourself and take that selfie with you in the cockpit! Open Cockpit Free with your regular paid admission. January 11, 2020 10:30am-12:30pm
Just before Christmas, at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Fred Bell, the Museums Vice Chairman, received a historical and important gift from Brooks Wachtel, the Emmy Award winning co-creator of the History Channel series "Dogfights". The actual full length interview tapes of the many heroes appearing in the episodes. Listen in... "Dogfights" depicted actual air to air combat with detailed historical accuracy provided by many of the fighter pilots sharing their strories. Combined with incredible computer-generated imagery (CGI) to give the viewer an exciting experience of engaging in actual aerial combat.
A British Teenager’s Experience of World War II – 75th Anniversary Special Presentation Imagine growing up nearby to a B-24 bomber base during World War II. Such was the early years of our own Air Museum volunteer/docent Mick Dawson. Born in the County of Norfolk, England in 1928, Mick left Litcham Secondary Modern School at the age of 14, December 1942. A wartime airfield for the American Army Air Force was under construction nearby and Mick got a job with the electrical contractor there as an apprentice. The 392nd BG group with their B-24s occupied the base from August 1943 to end of the War in Europe. During that time Mick had a front row seat to life on the airfield and the habits of the “Yanks” that took up residence there. Join us for a truly unique first person telling of what life was like for a British teenager during the Second World War. Presenter: Mick Dawson January 4, 2020 at 1:00PM Presentation free with regular admission
Among the most favorite aircraft of warbird fans, the F4U Corsair. And you can climb in the cockpit yourself in our own beautifully restored Corsair inside one of our hangars for "Open Cockpit" this Saturday January 4th from 10:30am-12:30pm. A most formidable carrier based fighter-bomber that Naval Aviators flew to a kill ratio of 11:1 in World War II. You will be amazed sitting in the pilot's seat as to how huge this aircraft is at 9,200 pounds with it's 2,380hp Pratt & Whitney radial engine. Capable of 446mph with a service ceiling of 41,500 ft and a range of over 1,000 miles. Do not miss this! Open Cockpit free with your regular admission.
2020 is here and the F-117A Black Devil countdown is on. Please visit https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/jhp/ for details about the Jim Houston Pavilion, future home of the Black Devil F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter.
We can't let you leave the hangar but climb on in the pilot's seat yourself for Open Cockpit in a North American Aviation AT-6 Texan; the aircraft that trained military pilots from before World War II through the 1970's. Some were even used in combat along the way by other countries around the globe. Over 17,000 were built and flew for 55 countries. Modified T-6's were used to portray Japanese Zero's in the motion picture "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and also in "Black Sheep Squadron". Saturday December 28th, 10:30am - 12:30pm, come on in and climb on in and see what it would be like to learn to fly in the Texan! Kids welcome too! Open Cockpit Free with your regular admission. Thanks!
Need a last minute gift? Our warbird rides are an experience to remember! We still have a few rides available during the holidays, or check our 2020 calendar for a flying start to the new year. Book a ride at http://bit.ly/WarbirdRidesPS
Open Cockpit in our P-47 Thunderbolt! No assembly required for you to get in and sit in the pilot's seat of this huge fighter bomber from World War II. Armed with eight .50 caliber machine guns and carrying rockets or a 2,500 pound bomb load. With it's armored cockpit, the Thunderbolt weighed up to eight tons. Built like a flying tank! Saturday December 21, 2019 from 10:30am - 12:30pm. Open Cockpit free with your regular admission. This footage from 1943 of P-47's arriving aboard the USS Block Island (CVE-21), a Bogue Class Escort Carrier, at Sydenham Airfield, Belfast, Ireland.
Looking for a special gift for someone who has everything? How about a ride in a vintage warbird? This is a truly unique experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. Rides start at $99, choose from 4 different types of aircraft. Book here: https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/warbirdrides/ Video is from our C-47 Skytrain.
Open cockpit in our Supermarine Spitfire! Experience sitting in the cockpit of the Spitfire Supermarine this Saturday, December 14th at 10:30am - 12:30pm. You will be sitting in the same pilot's seat in the same Spitfire used by Ben Affleck in the beginning of the motion picture "Pearl Harbor"! Climb on in and sit in the pilot's seat of this tremendously powerful aircraft with the later designed Rolls Royce Griffon engines producing over 2,300 horsepower! Imagine what it was like to be one of the flyers to whom Winston Churchill spoke "Never was so much owed by so many to so few". The British fighter aircraft that was a hero of the Battle of Britain and featured in the motion picture "Dunkirk". At 11am experience some real holiday fun as Santa arrives at the air museum by helicopter! Santa's Snow World will be open on the tarmac where you can play in the snow and take photos with Santa. A truly special experience! Open Cockpit and Santa Fly-In is included with regular paid admission.
World War II In 25 Aircraft - 75th Anniversary Presentation Aviation was what was the beginning and end of World War II; from the air attack at Pearl Harbor, the B-17 Flying Fortress bombings of Nazi Germany to the dropping of the atomic bomb from a B-29 Superfortress. Join us at 1:00pm Saturday November 30th for a presentation and discussion of the 25 aircraft from all sides that were pivotal in World War II across the globe. Presentation free with regular admission. Presenter Jim Selsor Thank You!
Your squadron is climbing in and starting up their Wildcats and you can jump on in too! Get right in the pilot's seat yourself for Open Cockpit in our World War II Grumman F4F Wildcat. From 10:30am - 12:30pm, this Saturday November 30th. A truly historical aircraft, it was the only effective fighter available to the United States Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific during the early part of the war. With a top speed of 318mph it was still outperformed by the Japanese Zero. However the Wildcat was more rugged and with special tactics, it maintained an air combat kill to loss ratio during the war of almost 7 to 1. Following Open Cockpit join us at 1:00pm for a 75th Anniversary Special Presentation "World War II In 25 Aircraft". Open Cockpit and Presentation free with regular admission. Video of United States Navy Fighting Squadron 33 (VF-33), Havannah Harbor, Efate, New Hebrides. February 17, 1944.
Imagine landing this powerful F4U Corsair on the USS Enterprise on March 20, 1943. Now flash forward and come on in this Saturday November 23 and get in the pilot's seat yourself and see what it must have been like! Open Cockpit from 10:30am - 12:30pm in our beautifully restored F4U Corsair. You do not want to miss this! Free with your regular admission. Make a day of it and buy tickets for our Props and Hops Craft Beer Fest taking place in the Miles Hangar and on the tarmac. Enjoy tastings from over 25 craft breweries, live music & food trucks, and vintage aircraft rides. Tickets can be pre-purchased for $40 online at pspropsandhops.com until 8 pm Friday November 22nd, or for $50 at the door on Saturday. Event starts at 1pm.
Coming in 2020! The new Houston Pavilion featuring the F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter "Black Devil". Be part of history here: https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/jhp/
Lots of flying here today Sunday. Come on out and watch right from our ramp, and you can fly too from only $99 per person on our World War II paratrooper C-47. Also flying with be our T-33 Shooting Star jet, the T-28 Trojan and our Red Tail P-51 Mustang "Bunny". Much to see and do! Thanks!
Join us tomorrow for our annual Chili Tasting and Car Show, and while you’re here experience the P-47 Thunderbolt Open Cockpit! Climb on in and see what it is like sitting in the pilot's seat of this World War II fighter bomber! The Car Show and Open Cockpit is free with your regular admission, chili tastings are $1 for one or $5 for six tastings. Open Cockpit is available 10:30am - 12:30pm.
You can fly! Book a ride this weekend in our World War II Paratrooper C-47, the iconic Red Tail P-51 Mustang, our powerful T-28 Trojan trainer and the T-33 Shooting Star jet! Starting at only $99 per person. For info and to book your flight go to https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/warbirdrides/ Thanks!
Join us for the excitement of the World War II B-17 bomber "Sentimental Journey" arriving right here on our ramp at approximately 11:00 am on Monday October 7th. This giant four-engine "Flying Fortress" will be available for interior tours on that Monday from 2-5 pm, Tuesday - Thursday 10 am-5 pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 2-5pm. Tours are only $10 including the tour of our own B-17 "Miss Angela".
Our P-51 Mustang “Bunny” in honor of the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II
ABOUT THE PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM
There is always something new at the Palm Springs Air Museum, where history comes alive and visitors can get close to the vintage World War II and Korea/Vietnam era aircraft. Named in 2014 as one of the top 14 aviation museums in the world by CNN Travel, 59 flyable and static planes are on display inside four climate-controlled hangars totaling 86,000 square feet inside with more outside on the tarmac. Many of the Museum docents actually flew these planes and served on the ships. The four hangars are organized by theme, with related exhibits lining the walls. Visitors enter through the Lobby, and pay at the Gift Shop to get their wristbands. From the Lobby, visitors can either go straight, past restrooms and the Buddy Rogers Theater to the hangars or head upstairs by elevator or staircase to the 9,200 volume research library and Education Center. In the outer room of the Library are computer flight simulators to entertain and teach the principles of flight to people of all ages.
The Pacific (Navy) Hangar includes exhibits and aircraft used by the Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Highlights include the Pearl Harbor diorama narrated by NBC journalist and author Tom Brokaw, the Grumman “cats”; the Avenger, Corsair, Dauntless and Invader. The PBY Catalina Flying Boat is usually on the Tarmac. Ship models, uniforms and weapon display cabinets complement the large wall Pacific Map and the aviation art by American Stan Stokes. Be sure and check out the Honor Wall showing our docent veterans!
The European (Army) Hangar features exhibits and aircraft used by the Army in the European Theater during World War II, plus a T-33 training jet used in Korea and Vietnam. Highlights of this hangar include the B-25 Mitchell Bomber, P-47 Thunderbolt, the renovated flying Red Tail P-51 Mustang (when not flying) the P-63 King Cobra (when not flying), the Spitfire and the C-47 (when not flying, otherwise it’s out on the Tarmac). Other highlights in this hangar include the Tuskegee Airmen mural, the interactive Living History Kiosk, the large wall European Map with interactive display, the Women Pilots of WWII exhibit and the Jackie Cochran exhibit. Portions of Chris Demarest’s World War Two Journey are also on display.
The smallest hangar (entrance from the European Hangar) contains the B-17 Flying Fortress, the Berger Youth Exploration Center with fun, interactive activities for young people (including a F-16 Flight Simulator), the Gen. Ken Miles Aviation Science Center, Freedom Fighters’ Café and restrooms. Flag and engine displays are also in this hangar. Visitors can see our mechanics working on one of our vintage aircraft.
Now open is the new Major General Kenneth P. Miles Hangar, (entrance from just outside the Pacific Hangar to the south), which houses our Cold War, Korea and Vietnam War aircraft and supporting exhibits, including the new Edward and Mona Sher POW Bracelet exhibit that was in the Pacific Hangar. Hangar includes the Presidential Experience, Korean War Remembrance Wall, Ken Marts’ Presidents Who Served, the Frederick Noble Engine Display, and several jets: F-4 Phantom II, F-84, F-86, F-100, F-102, F-104 and the EA-6B Prowler
Visitors can tour the interior of a flyable B-17 and C-47 (when not flying). Flight exhibitions occur most Saturday afternoons November through May. The Annual Flower Drop & Air Fair occurs every Memorial Day Monday.
Documentaries are shown daily in the Buddy Rogers Theatre. On-going lecture series highlights the significance of Air Power and as much as possible include eye-witness accounts.
Palm Springs Props & Hops Beer Festival
745 N. Gene Autry TrailMajor General Kenneth P. Miles Hangar
745 N Gene Autry TrlTribute To The Troops PS Air Museum
245 N Gene Autry Trl, North Palm SpringsPalm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Desi
300 S Palm Canyon DrPalm Springs Historical Walking Tours
221 S Palm Canyon DrPalm Springs Historical Society
221 S Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs Historical Society
221 S Palm Canyon Dr
