July 2023 News from Estrella Warbirds Museum

July 1st, 2023

No: 2310

July Monthly Dinner

Board Members

Estrella Warbirds Museum

Wednesday July 5th, 2023

No Host Bar: 5:30 p.m., Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.

The Board of Directors are looking forward to the July dinner to conduct a State of the Museum presentation. We will be highlighting our current and future plans for events, programs, acquisitions, restorations, and revenue generating ideas recently identified in a strategic planning session.

We look forward to answering your questions about the direction we are heading as a museum and how we plan to get there. There are a lot of things in the works and always a lot of challenges in how to accomplish them.

We look forward to your participation and input as well, all while enjoying another awesome meal prepared by Larry Eastwood and crew. See you then, John

Dinner is catered and open to the public ($25/person), reservations are required prior to 6 p.m., Monday prior to dinner, either On-line HERE or call 805 296-1935.

LEARN CPR - AED Save a Life

Classes open to the first 80 signups.

Class is open to all friends of the museum, staff, docents, spouses. Click anywhere on image above to register prior to July 8th.

Here is a picture of two of our extremes in docent ages. Robert Hager (on the left) is 97 and was a tail gunner on a Douglas SBD Dauntless in WWII. On the right is Daniel Gomez. Daniel is 13 and volunteers (with his parent's consent) in the museum gift shop! Come join us!

Home to the world class Woodland Auto Display:

Come Grow With Us!

The Estrella Warbirds Museum has always been "the place to go" for local meeting, group dinners and even company events. We greet visitors from around the world!

If you enjoy new people and groups, love history and want to be involved in a community project, we'd love to hear from you! We always need volunteers in our gift-shop, or docents in the museum or Auto Display. Maybe you want to get involved in restoration?

Best Links

Current Events Here

Past Member Newsletters

Volunteer Positions

Group Tours

805 674-3939

Facility Rental

805 674-3939

Got a Question?

Stuck on what to buy for a special person?

There is always the perfect gift of a flight on a real WWII veteran, our C-47B, Betsy's Biscuit Bomber.

Find more information here.

Aviation Youth Group

Aviation Youth Group had a big day on June 3rd, starting at CalFire for a field trip and discussion about career options. Later that same day they were able to watch a CalFire plane drop retardant on a fire near the airport. They were then treated to a round-up at Antique Aero of lots of airplanes and people. An FA-18 pilot allowed each student to sit in the cockpit and told them a little about the aircraft. It was an exciting day. More pictures click here.

Planning For Tomorrow - Coming in October!

Click anywhere on the above image to register.

New at Woodland Auto Display

This 1962 Sprint Car is one of the more interesting race cars on display as both the owner, Vel Miletich, and his regular driver, Allen Heath could have books written about them.

The colorful Heath was also known as "Splinterhead" as he had numerous serious accidents during his Hall of Fame career with one in 1953 causing him to lose his left hand. He worked with UCLA to help develop the first "hook" prothesis. Within one year of his accident, he won a 100 lap midget race in San Bernardino.

Vel was first a sponsor of this car. He later purchased it and hired Allen Heath as his driver. Vel is well known for his Ford dealerships, Vel's Ford. He later hired an upstart driver named Parnelli Jones. This eventually led to the Vels/Parnelli Jones partnership, a win at Indianapolis, and later, numerous Indy Car wins with the so-called Super Team of Joe Leonard, Mario Andretti and Al Unser Sr.

Very few Rip Erickson cars have survived over the years. This particular one is really unique in that they ran a Big Block Ford engine. While the engine was powerful by early 1960's standards, it was also much heavier than most engines used at the time which made handling and corner speed an issue. Even so, this car accounted for numerous wins and quick times. This historical survivor was meticulously restored by former Sprint Car Champion, Jon Stanbrough.

Are

You

Member?

Membership has its benefits! Why become a member? The museum is supported solely from private sources. Minimal membership dues go a long way in helping to preserve history for tomorrows generation. Membership gives you free access to the museum and our wonderful research library. Individual memberships are pro-rated at $75/year or $125/year for families. We have six different categories. You can find more information on membership and how to sign up the the link listed below.

Yes! I'm interested in membership

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