Aug 30th, 2023
No: 2312
September Monthly Dinner
Thomas Harrington
Former Naval Pilot, Director of Student Services at Paso Robles Joint Unified Scoool District.
Wednesday Sep 6th, 2023
No Host Bar: 5:30 p.m., Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.


A native of Paso Robles, California, Thomas (Tom) Harrington attended Cuesta College and graduated from Cal Poly State University-San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1988. Entering the US Navy, he earned a commission and after completing flight training received his pilot wings. In 1991, he was assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light)-FORTY FIVE in San Diego, California. While at HSL-45 he completed deployments aboard USS FIFE (DD-991), and USS ANTIETAM (CG-54) during Operation Desert Storm. In 1994 Lieutenant Harrington reported for duty at Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (NROTC) Boston, Massachusetts and subsequently was named an Assistant Professor at Boston University and Technical Instructor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he taught courses in amphibious warfare, navigation and leadership.

Leaving active duty in 1997, Lieutenant Harrington received his California Teaching Credential from Chapman University and coached football and baseball while teaching social science courses at Paso Robles High School (PRHS). He continued to be active in the Naval Reserve as a pilot with Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron FIVE based in San Diego. While assigned to the ‘Firehawks” he was recalled to active duty in 2003 and assigned to Naval Special Warfare forces in Iraq including piloting 28 combat missions as part of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

See more information on Thomas Harrington, 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.
Youth Aviation Club
There are certain summertime memories that seem to last a lifetime, and this came true for 5 members of the Estrella Warbirds Museum Youth Aviation Club.
You would be smiling too if you had the opportunity to fly onboard a veteran aircraft from World War II! These students, plus their leader, Mary Allmon, took a one hour flight above Paso Robles, over to the coast, and a chance to see Morro Bay and Hearst Castle from the air. If you have an interest in participating or supporting our Youth Aviation Club, come visit us at the Paso Robles Airport 50 Year Celebration (below). Our volunteers will be there and we'd love to talk with you.
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?

Contact us today! We'd love to hear from you.
Best Links
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.
We Are Open Labor Day 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Paso Robles Airport
50 Year Celebration September 23rd
 The City of Paso Robles will be celebrating its airport's 50th anniversary with an event at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport on Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. 

The event will feature a variety of activities, including: 
  • Static displays of aircraft, to include from Estrella Warbirds Museum
  • Educational exhibits on aviation history Local wineries and breweries
  • Food trucks and vendors 
  • Restored military vehicles, to include from Estrella Warbirds Museum
  • No charge for entrance!


At the 50th Anniversary Celebrations, be sure to visit: ACI JET, PASO ROBLES, as they are offering:
Calling All Gamma Goat Enthusiasts!
We recently received this 1971 M561 Gamma Goat which is in dire need of repairs and or restoration. Our restoration crew is looking for approximately $1,000 to bring it to static display status, or approximately $5,000 to bring it to like new, drivable in community parade status. As a 501(c)(c)3 non profit museum, all our operating and restoration expenses come from private/individual donations.

Anyone visiting the Brooks Building at Estrella Warbirds Museum will tell you that our all volunteer restoration team is second to none. Most of the vehicles on display look like they just rolled off the production line and it is hard to comprehend that many of those vehicles were received in nothing better than a bucked of rusty bolts. These guys work hard and we are always proud of the work they do. Now they want a shot at this Gamma Goat! We even have room for others to help out, hands on, for the planned restoration.

We are actively seeking donations for this unique project. You can donate today using PayPal or a credit card, or send us a check to Estrella Warbirds Museum, attn: GammaGoat, 4251 Dry Creek Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446.
Plan For Tomorrow - Y'All Sign Up Today!
Click anywhere on the above image to register.
Featured at Woodland Auto Display
Back on display is this 1947 Track Roadster. Based in Illinois, this car won the 1947/1948 roadster championship at Soldier's Field, Chicago. At the time, it had a Model A Ford roadster body and a Ford V-8 flathead engine for power. The combination was also successful at the high banked Winchester, Indiana Speedway, the Milwakee, Wisconsin Mile and at Rockford, Illinois.

After a severe crash in 1951, Wally Edwards rebuilt the car, swapped the V-8 for the Jimmy 6 and replaced the roadster body with a Model T roadster body and a "big car" style nose. The Model A transsmission was converted to an in-out box. The steering ratio was controlled using a motorcycle chain and two sprockets which could be changed based upon the size track running on from dirt to ashalt tracks, and the wire wheels were replaced with solid wheels.

Wally then headed to Southern California where he raced successfully as #47 in the California Roadster Association, CRA, at such tracks as Carrell Speedway and Bonelli Stadium. This car was retired in 1954 as the Track Roadsters were being replaced by the more expensive Sprint Cars. More pictures an information on this car and others can be found here.
Are
You
a
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.