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 building called the Red Ball Express Motor Pool.
Facilities
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 an flight simulator.
Collection
Aircraft
Aermacchi MB-326
Aeronca L-16
Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
Bell UH-1D Iroquois
Cessna T-37B Tweet
Douglas A-4A Skyhawk
Douglas C-47B Skytrain
Douglas ERA-3B Skywarrior – cockpit
Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk
Focke-Wulf FWP.149D
Fouga CM.170 Magister
General Atomics Gnat-750
General Dynamics F-16B Fighting Falcon
Grumman A-6E Intruder
Grumman F-14B Tomcat
Grumman F9F-8P Cougar
Grumman US-2D Tracker
Gyrodyne QH-50D DASH
LTV NA-7C Corsair II
Lockheed P2V-5F Neptune
Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star
Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter
McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II
McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II – cockpit
North American QF-86F Sabre
North American T-28B Trojan
North American SNJ-5C Texan
North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco
Northrop AQM-38
Northrop F-5E Tiger II
Radioplane MQM-33
Ryan BQM-34S Firebee
Saab A 32A Lansen
Saab J 35 Draken
Sikorsky UH-19D Chickasaw
Sikorsky UH-34D Choctaw
Stinson L-5E Sentinel
Stinson Reliant I
Taylor J-2
UTVA Aero 3
Vought F-8K Crusader
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.
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
The museum holds an fundraiser event every year called Warbirds, Wings and Wheels.