Veterans of early days present video, struggles, and successes
Some early members of the Estrella Warbirds Museum will describe the humble beginnings of the Museum nearly 27 years ago, at the monthly dinner on March 4, 2020, at the Estrella Warbirds Museum Thomson Hall. Included in this presentation will be a video taken in the early beginnings of the Museum.
Three-year old Estrella Squadron of the Confederate Air Force, as it was known in the beginning, put on their first air show on May 23, 1993. The fifty odd members recruited aircraft such as the World War II BT-13, T-6, P-51 and a British Spitfire to thrill a big crowd at the Paso Robles airport. The United States Air Force assisted the show with a flyby of the huge Lockheed C-5A Galaxy.
Not to be outdone, the United States Marine Corps launched a pair of McDonnell AV-8 Harriers to the event. And the United States Navy provided a Lockheed P-3 Orion for display, and actually “backed up” the plane using reverse thrust. During the airshow Obbie Atkinson interviewed squadron volunteers and they explained their jobs.
The excitement of the airshow, the flying, ground displays, and activities, were captured on video by squadron members Obbie Atkinson and Ralph Grasso. Ralph’s wife and Obbie wrote a script and George Marrett narrated the 25-minute video of the historic event.
Now, 27 years later, you can hear stories about the struggles and successes of the past from some of the founding volunteers, and their hopes and dreams for the Museum in the future. Don’t miss this classic meeting!
Reservations can be made by calling the Museum at 805 296-1935 or online at www.ewarbirds.org/museum/reservations.shtml.
Deadline for reservations is 6:00 pm on Monday, March 2, 2020. Price for the dinner is $20.00 per person. Doors will open at 5:30 pm with a no host bar (cash only, no credit cards), and the catered dinner will begin at 6:30 pm.
Estrella Warbirds Museum is located at 4251 Dry Creek Road, Paso Robles, California. The museum is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. Call for Monday holiday hours. For general admission information, call 805 238-9397 or visit www.ewarbirds.org.
