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| Come Grow With Us! |
The Estrella Warbirds Museum has always been known for its constant change and quality of the displays. If you have not been to the museum in a while, there is no better time then this summer to catch up on the latest aircraft, military vehicle or automotive display that has become part of the museum since the last time you visited.
If you have a little bit of extra time on your hands and are looking for a new hobby or willing to share your knowledge or even learn something new, we are always looking for
gift shop workers, docents or volunteers in the restoration or maintenance areas. We are all family and would like you to join us! It's fun! There are plenty of new friends to meet and enjoyable times to be had.
Contact us today! We'd love to hear from you.
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June Dinner
Special Guest Speaker
Dick Bloomquist
"Flaming Arrow
Wednesday, June 7th, 2017
No Host Bar starts at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner starts at 7.p.m.
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Estrella Warbird Museum member Dick Bloomquist was born on March 1, 1917 (now 100 years old) on a small farm in Gowrie, Iowa. He graduated from high school in 1934 and since corn was only selling for 10 cents a bushel, college was not in his future. By the late 1930s Hitler was taking over much of Europe and torpedoing American merchant ships. Dick could see that American involvement was eminent so he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aircraft mechanic.
He completed basic military training at Chanute Field, Illinois and then aircraft mechanics instruction at Maxwell Field, Alabama and Moody Field, Georgia. After a few flights with some instructors, Dick decided to apply for flight training. He was accepted and flew the Boeing PT-13 Stearman, Vultee BT-13 Valiant, and North American AT-6 Texan. In advanced training he flew the twin-engine Curtiss-Wright AT-9 and Beechcraft AT-10.
Dick then was assigned Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress training at Hendricks Field, Florida, Pyote Army Air Base, Texas and Alexandria Army Air Base, Louisiana. Final preparation for combat was at Grand Island Army Air Field, Nebraska.
On December 7, 1943 (the second anniversary of the raid on Pearl Harbor) Dick and his nine crew-members headed off for Italy via Miami, Florida, Fortaleza, Brazil and Casablanca North Africa. He was assigned to the 96th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bombardment Group of the 15th Air Force stationed at Amendola Air Field in Italy. During the next seven months he flew 50 combat mission over Germany and Nazi occupied countries to include the famous "Shuttle Flights to Russia." In 1995 Russia awarded Dick a medal to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the "Great Patriotic War."
After the war, Dick married Shirley Kehler in September 1944. They were married for over 70 years and raised two daughters. Dick and Shirley moved to Paso Robles in 1998 and he has been a docent in our museum for many, many years.
Make sure you have signed up on line or have a current reservation. Hope to see you there! More information about Joe Hale and the event plus pictures from the May dinner
can be found at this link.
Dinner is catered and open to the public ($20/person), reservations are required prior to 6 p.m., Monday prior to dinner, either on-line or call call 805 296-1935
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Viet Nam Era Gun Truck Restoration Debuts at WWW9
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| Viet Nam Era Gun Truck |
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Completed the day prior to the 9th annual Warbirds Wings & Wheels event and introduced at the show, this Gun Truck was quite the hit! Bill Landers and the entire restoration crew did an amazing job on this restoration. It is the only known roadworthy Gun Truck operating in the western US.
View more pictures and read more history on this unique vehicle.
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1950's & 1960's Racing Legend Sees Former Race Car Revived!
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No. 94 Frank Secrist |
Unveiled during the Warbirds Wings & Wheels event was this #94 sprint race car campaigned by Frank Secrist during his racing career. Frank was interviewed by the local media prior to the unveiling. Early in his career, he drove for Dick Woodland. Both gentlemen have been nominated for the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.
View more pictures and read more on Frank's racing history.
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Got Game? You're Invited!
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| Click on picture for full information |
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How We Keep On Growing!
Estrella Warbirds Museum is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
We have been funded over the years solely from private sources, benefactors, groups, individuals and members. We receive no funding from your tax dollars. We exist because of your generous support and we are forever grateful. We've continued to grow as more people have seen what can happen when individuals and community seek a common goal - preserving our heritage for future generations. As we continue to grow, our expenses, unfortunately, continue to increase also. We are ever vigilant as to how your donations are spent to insure 100% goes to the support of the museum. If you would help support us or would like more information, please visit our website at this link, or call us at 805 238-9317
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