October, 2023 News from Estrella Warbirds Museum

Upcoming Events

Sep 29th, 2023

No: 2315

October Monthly Dinner

David Brooks

Former Naval Pilot

Member, EWM

Wednesday Oct 4th, 2023

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

A California native, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1953, as a U.s. Naval Cadet or “NAVCAD” and started his training at Pensacola, Florida in April 1953. After 18 months of training he was designated a Naval Aviation and commissioned as an Ensign, USNR, in October 1954.

During this aviation training, he flew various aircraft, the SNJ, T-28, F6F and AD Skyraider. And was assigned to his first fleet unit, Fighter Squadron Fifty-Four, (VF-54). Stationed at NAS Miramar, San Diego, California. Dave was part of Air Group Five (CAG5) and deployed on the USS KEARSARGE CVA 33, From October 1955 to May 1956.

After completing this deployment his next assignment was as a Flight Instructor in Pensacola, Florida training students in formation flying and night flying in the SNJ. Then as a Primary Instructor in the T-34.

Following his four year active duty enlistment he joined the Reserves and flew the S2F, C-54, (DC-4) and the C-118 (DC-6) and was one of the few non-airline pilots qualified as a Transport Plane Commander (TPC) in the reserve units at NAS LOS ALAMITOS, California. He retired June 1978 as Commander USNR at services held at NAS Alameda.

As a civilian, Dave worked primarily in the utility business ending his career as the Secretary to the Board, and CFO Officer for a water/sewer utility in Southern California in 1993.

See more information on David Brooks, view here.

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.

Veterans Flight, 9/23/23

Our two veteran representatives for the Veteran Flight on Saturday, 9/23/23

John LeJeal (pictured at the top) on the left in the red sweater is a Korean Veteran serving on the USS Monrovia (APA 31) and Robert Hager (in the tan vest) is our WWII Veteran who served in the Pacific on Midway Island. Both are Navy Veterans.

Paso Robles Airport 50th Anniversary

Pictured above, Phil St. Martin, Diane Chesler, Joel Chesler (R.I.P.)

A very special thanks to all the volunteers and staff who helped make the EWM's presence at the airport's 50th anniversary possible! Without all your hard work, what we could not have made it happen. As neighbors and users of the airport, we had the opportunity to be part of the center stage to showcase not only some of the planes and vehicles that the museum has, but also the spirit of teamwork and pride that comes with being part of the museum! From the parade group, restoration, the Gooney Bird Group, youth group as well as operations (including docents), we came together to teach our community and youth and hopefully have some fun along the way!

You all are amazing!

Check out more pictures of the day here.

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.

CPR Save

In July of this year, the Estrella Warbirds Museum’s Safety Manager John Madden, facilitated our 4^th annual CPR. The instructor, Mike Whitney, is a retired Deputy Coroner from Placer County and is a good friend of John's.

Three weeks to the day from when this class was presented, one of our attendees performed CPR on her husband. It was early in the morning when she asked her husband to go downstairs to let out a dog they were caring for. After about 20 minutes she decided to go downstairs and get a cup of coffee since she couldn’t go back to sleep. When she got downstairs she noticed her husband slumped over his computer, unresponsive. Since she is a slight woman and her husband larger, she was able to drag him off the computer chair and on to the floor where she checked for vital signs. Having found none she began with 4 quick breaths and called 9-1-1 then continuing with CPR she learned just 3 weeks earlier.

Paramedics arrived within 9 minutes (she lives in a rural part of Atascadero) and took over CPR. Her husband was shocked 4 times before he converted into a normal sinus rhythm. He was transported to French Hospital in San Luis Obispo where he underwent surgery to place an internal defibrillator. He’s alive today and enjoying his grandchildren after taking them to Disneyland a week after getting back home.

Annual Fund Raising Event

Enjoy an Evening of Western Swing at the

Hangar One Hoe-Down

The Estrella Warbirds Museum is Sponsoring an Evening of Dining and Music with Monte Mills and the Lucky Horseshoe Band on Saturday, October 14th

The theme of this year’s event is “Hangar 1 Hoe-Down” and will feature live music by Monte Mills and the Lucky Horseshoe Band. Dinner will consist of tri-tip, BBQ chicken, scalloped potatoes, salad, rolls, and dessert. Wine and beer will be available at a no-host bar. In addition to the live music, the museum is offering complimentary line dance lessons.

There will be a silent auction which will include unique memorabilia from aviation legend Sherm Smoot’s collection. The silent auction will also feature a margarita basket as well as a Coleman wagon full of adult beverages.

The cost is $60 per person, or a table for 8 can be purchased for $420 or a table for 10 for $540. Prepaid reservations are required. Please call (805) 286-5566 or (805) 238-9317, or click on this link. All proceeds support the Estrella Warbirds Museum, located at 4251 Dry Creek Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446.

The Estrella Warbirds Museum was established in 1992 and is 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The museum is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of military aircraft, military vehicles, and memorabilia to those who flew and worked on military aircraft. The museum does not glorify conflict, but seeks to make future generations aware that the American way of life does not come without sacrifice. The museum is also home to the renowned Woodland Auto Display, featuring over 20,000 square feet of classic street and track automobiles.

Plan For Tomorrow - Y'All Sign Up Today!

Click anywhere on the above image to register.

Featured at Woodland Auto Display

New to the Woodland Auto Display is this 1967Toyota 2000 GT. Toyota wanted to build a world class automobile as the Japanese auto industry wanted to expand worldwide. Toyota designed the 2000GT and Yamaha hand built 351 of them under Toyota supervision between 1967 and 1970. Of these, roughly 60 had left hand drive, mostly coming to the U.S. with about 40 known to still exist today. Much of the beautiful design was heavily influence by the British made Lotus Elan and Jaguar XKE sports cars.

Three of the 2000GTs were sent to Carrol Shelby to be campaigned in SCCA and were very competitive in their class.

Stop by our showrooms and check out this Toyota 2000 GT plus many more automobiles, automotive and racing memorabilia, plus much, much more. You will be glad you did!

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

Estrella Warbirds Museum

& Woodland Auto Display

4251 Dry Creek Road

Paso Robles, CA 93446

805 238-9317

Donate Online Using PayPal or Credit Card