Estrella Warbird Museum

Estrella Warbirds Museum

Location within California
Established	1992 (1992)
Location	Paso Robles, California
Coordinates	35°39′50″N120°37′12″W / 35.664°N 120.620°W / 35.664; -120.620
Type	Military aviation museum
Founder	Gary Corippo [1] Glen Thomson [2]
Website	ewarbirds.org

The Estrella Warbirds Museum is an aviation museum dedicated to the restoration and preservation of military aircraft, vehicles, and memorabilia. ^[3] The museum is located at Paso Robles Municipal Airport in central California and is named after Estrella Army Airfield. ^[3] In July, 2009, the museum opened an automobile display featuring classic racing cars, The Woodland Auto Display. ^[4]

History

The museum began in 1993, when it acquired and moved three buildings from a former almond orchard to the airport. ^[5] Originally founded as the Estrella Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force, it became independent in 2000. ^[6]

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. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

The museum acquired an OH-23C, O-1A and U-6A from Camp San Luis Obispo in February 2025. ^[10]

Facilities

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. ^{[11] [12]}

Exhibits

Exhibits at the museum include a radio room and a flight simulator. ^{[13] [14]}

Collection

Aircraft

Grumman F-14B Tomcat

Douglas C-47B Skytrain

• Aermacchi MB-326 ^[15]
• Aeronca L-16 ^[16]
• Beechcraft T-34 Mentor ^[17]
• Beechcraft T-34 Mentor ^[18]
• Bell UH-1D Iroquois ^[19]
• Cessna T-37B Tweet ^[20]
• Douglas A-4A Skyhawk ^[21]
• Douglas C-47B Skytrain ^[22]
• Douglas ERA-3B Skywarrior – cockpit ^[23]
• Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk ^[24]
• Focke-Wulf FWP.149D ^[25]
• Fouga CM.170 Magister ^[26]
• General Atomics Gnat-750 ^{[ citation needed ]}
• General Dynamics F-16B Fighting Falcon ^[27]
• Grumman A-6E Intruder ^[28]
• Grumman F-14B Tomcat ^[29]
• Grumman F9F-8P Cougar ^[30]
• Grumman US-2D Tracker ^[31]
• Gyrodyne QH-50D DASH ^{[ citation needed ]}
• LTV NA-7C Corsair II ^[32]
• Lockheed P2V-5F Neptune ^[33]
• Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star ^[34]
• Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter ^[35]
• McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II ^[36]
• McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II – cockpit ^[37]
• North American QF-86F Sabre ^[38]
• North American T-28B Trojan ^[39]
• North American SNJ-5C Texan ^[40]
• North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco ^[41]
• Northrop AQM-38 ^{[ citation needed ]}
• Northrop F-5E Tiger II ^[42]
• Radioplane MQM-33 ^{[ citation needed ]}
• Ryan BQM-34S Firebee ^{[ citation needed ]}
• Saab A 32A Lansen ^[43]
• Saab J 35 Draken ^[44]
• Sikorsky UH-19D Chickasaw ^[45]
• Sikorsky UH-34D Choctaw ^[46]
• Stinson L-5E Sentinel ^[47]
• Stinson Reliant I ^[48]
• Taylor J-2 ^[49]
• UTVA Aero 3 ^[50]
• Vought F-8K Crusader ^[51]

Armament and ordnance

As of January 2019, the following armament and ordnance were on exhibit at the museum. ^[52]

• Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun
• M40 105 mm Recoilless Rifle
• General Dynamics M60A3 main battle tank ^[53]
• 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. ^[54]

• AMC Mighty Mite Jeep ^[55]
• Diamond REO M52 ^[56]
• Dodge M37 WC Truck ^[57]
• Dodge M43 Ambulance ^[58]
• Dodge WC4 Power Wagon ^[59]
• Excelsior Welbike Mark 1 ^[60]
• FMC Landing Vehicle Tracked LVPT-5
• FMC Armored Personnel Carrier M113A3 ^[61]
• Ford GPW Jeep
• Ford GTBA G622 Burma Jeep
• Ford Model T Ambulance ^[62]
• Ford MUTT Jeep ^[63]
• General Motors DUKW 1942 Utility Vehicle AWD
• Higgins LCVP Landing Craft
• IHC M35 Series Troop Carrier
• M35A1 Armored Gun Truck
• M60A3 Tank ^[64]
• Alvis Saracen FV-603 armored personnel carrier ^[65]
• White M2 Half Track ^[66]
• Willys M274 Mule with 105 mm Recoilless Rifle
• Willys M38A1 Jeep ^[67]

Missiles

As of January 2019, the following missiles were on exhibit at the museum. ^[68]

• Hughes AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air missile
• Martin HGM-25A Titan I intercontinental ballistic missile
• Raytheon AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile
• Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile
• Raytheon AIM-54C Phoenix air-to-air missile
• Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile

Other exhibits

• Link Trainer

Events

Warbirds, Wings & Wheels

The museum holds an fundraiser event every year called Warbirds, Wings and Wheels. ^[69] The Paso Robles Taco Fest has been held at the museum annually since 2023. ^[70]

See also

• List of aerospace museums

References

1. "Gary Corippo". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
2. "Glen Thomson". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
3. "Welcome to the Estrella Warbird Museum". Paso Robles, California: Estrella Warbird Museum. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
4. "The Woodland Family Automobile Collection". Paso Robles, California: Estrella Warbird Museum. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
5. Dirkx, Phil (26 November 1993). "Old Almond Buildings Will House Warbirds". Telegram-Tribune. p. B-2. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
6. "History By The Numbers". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
7. "Red Ball Express Motor Pool". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
8. "Pfauter Building". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
9. "Red Ball Express Motor Pool Museum opens". Military Trader. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
10. Estes, Adam (27 March 2025). "Estrella Warbird Museum Receives Three Aircraft from San Luis Obispo". Vintage Aviation News. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
11. "Facilities". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
12. "Grounds Layout". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
13. "Radio Room". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
14. "Eagle Flight Simulator". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
15. "Aermacchi MB 326 Impala". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
16. "Aeronca L16 Champ". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
17. "Beech T-34B/D-45 Mentor". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
18. "Beech T-34B/D-45 Mentor". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
19. "Bell UH-1D Iroquois". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
20. "Cessna T-37B Tweety Bird". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
21. "Douglas A-4A Skyhawk". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
22. "Douglas C-47B Dakota". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
23. "Douglas A-3 Skywarrior (A3D)". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
24. "Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
25. "Piaggio FW P 149D". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
26. "Airframe Dossier - Fouga CM-170 Magister, s/n 451 ALA, c/n 451, c/r N9222T". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
27. "General Dynamics F-16B Fighting Falcon". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
28. "Grumman A-6E Intruder". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
29. "Northrop Grumman F-14B Tom Cat". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
30. "Grumman F9F-8P Cougar". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
31. "Grumman US-2D Stoof". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
32. "Airframe Dossier - Vought NA-7C Corsair II, s/n 156739 USN, c/n C-006". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
33. "Lockheed P2V-5F Neptune". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
34. "Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
35. "Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
36. "McDonnel-Douglas 4-4S Phantom II". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
37. "McDonnell F-4S Rolling Cockpit Display". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
38. "North American F-86F Sabre". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
39. "North American T-28B Trojan". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
40. "1944 SNJ-5C AT-6D Cashen Texan". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
41. "North American OV-10A Bronco". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
42. "Northrop F-5E Tiger II". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
43. "Airframe Dossier - Svenska Aeroplan AB (SAAB) A32 Lansen, c/n 32284, c/r N4432V". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
44. "SAAB RF-35 Draken". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
45. "Sikorsky UH-19D Chickasaw". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
46. "Sikorsky UH-34D Seabat". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
47. "Stinson L-5E Sentinel". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
48. "Stinson V-77 Reliant". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
49. "Taylor J-2 Cub". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
50. "1957 UTVA Aero-3-F (Ikrus/UTVA Aero 3-A)". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
51. "Vought F-8K Crusader". Estrella Warbird Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
52. "Armament & Ordnance". Paso Robles, California: Estrella Warbird Museum. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
53. "M+60 A3 Battle Tank". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
54. "Estrella Warbird Missiles". Paso Robles, California: Estrella Warbird Museum. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
55. "1959 American Motors M422 Mighty Mite". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
56. "1953 Diamond REO M-52". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
57. "1951 Dodge M37". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
58. "1953 Dodge M43 Ambulance". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
59. "1941 Dodge Power Wagon WC-4". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
60. "Excelsior Welbike Mark 1". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
61. "M113A3 APC". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
62. "1912 Ford Model T Ambulance". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
63. "1966 M181-A1 MUTT Jeep/Truck". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
64. "M+60 A3 Battle Tank". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
65. "Alvis Saracen FV603 APC". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
66. "1942 M-2 White Half Track". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
67. "1952 Willis M-38A1 Jeep". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
68. "Missiles". Paso Robles, California: Estrella Warbird Museum. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
69. "Warbirds Wings & Wheels 14". Estrella Warbirds Museum. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
70. "Paso Robles Taco Fest returns with over 60 food vendors". Paso Robles Daily News. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.

External links

• Official website