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{{Infobox museum
{{Infobox museum
| name = Palm Springs Air Museum
| name = Palm Springs Air Museum
| logo = PSAM Star Logo Vertical.png
| logo = PSAM Star Logo Vertical.png
| image = PSAM Entrance (cloudy).webp
| image = PSAM Entrance (cloudy).webp
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| caption =
| alt =
| alt =
| map_type = USA California Southern
| map_type = USA California Southern
| map_caption =
| map_caption =
| map_alt =
| map_alt =
| map_size =
| map_size =
| coordinates = {{coord|33.8325|-116.5047|type:landmark_region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|33.8325|-116.5047|type:landmark_region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
| established = 1996
| established = 1996
| dissolved =
| dissolved =
| location = [[Palm Springs, California]]
| location = [[Palm Springs, California]]
| type = [[Aviation museum]]
| type = [[Aviation museum]]
| collection = 29 aircraft
| collection = 75 aircraft
| visitors =
| visitors =
| founder = Bob Pond & Pete Madison
| founder =
| director = Fred Bell
| director = Fred Bell
| president =
| president =
| chairperson = Dan Gilbertson
| chairperson = Dan Gilbertson
| curator =
| curator =
| owner =
| owner =
| publictransit =
| publictransit =
| car_park =
| car_park =
| network =
| network =
| website = {{URL|http://www.palmspringsairmuseum.org}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.palmspringsairmuseum.org}}
}}
}}


'''Palm Springs Air Museum''' is an aviation museum [[Palm Springs, California]] focused on World War II aviation. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit leases from the city 17 acres abutting [[Palm Springs International Airport]].[[Image:Bobs Bear.jpg|right|thumb|[[Grumman F8F Bearcat]] at Palm Springs Museum]]
'''Palm Springs Air Museum''' is an aviation museum in [[Palm Springs, California]]. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit leases from the city 17 acres abutting Palm Springs International Airport.
[[Image:Corsair Fg-1u.jpg|right|thumb|Goodyear FG-1D Corsair]]


The museum encompasses five themed hangars, outdoor displays, and a visitor center that includes a resource center with flight simulators. It operates warbird rides, air demonstrations, and talks by experts on specific topics. Many of the museum’s planes have been used in movies and fly in air shows.
==Beginnings==
Dated January 5, 1994, the Organizational Certificate of Incorporation for the museum was signed by Harold N. (”Pete”) Madison, Charles H. Mayer, and Bill Byrne — the former two being members of the city’s airport commission. A former P-38 pilot, Madison contacted his friend Robert J. Pond, a Navy Air Corps World War II veteran who had been collecting and rebuilding warbirds and classic cars and helped established the Planes of Fame East Museum (closed in 1997) in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.1<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goolsby |first=Denise |date=May 24, 2014 |title=Dining buddies dreamed up Palm Springs Air Museum |url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/2014/05/25/history-palm-springs-air-museum-dining-couple/9564051/ |work=The Desert Sun}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2005 |title=Bob Pond and the Palm Springs Air Museum |url=http://airportjournals.com/bob-pond-and-the-palm-springs-air-museum/ |website=Aviation Journal}}</ref> The museum opened on Veterans Day (November 11) in 1996.


==History==
== Hangars and visitor center ==
The museum was incorporated in 1994 by Harold Madison, Charles Mayer, and Bill Byrne. Madison contacted his friend Robert Pond, a World War II veteran who collected and rebuilt warbirds and classic cars. Pond's aircraft were displayed at the [[Planes of Fame]] East Museum in [[Eden Prairie, Minnesota]] and he agreed to loan some of them to the museum. The aircraft originally split their time between both museums, but when Planes of Fame East closed, the aircraft were permanently moved to Palm Springs. With planes and cars from Pond’s collection, Palm Springs Air Museum opened on 11 November 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goolsby |first=Denise |title=Dining buddies dreamed up Palm Springs Air Museum |url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/2014/05/25/history-palm-springs-air-museum-dining-couple/9564051/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=The Desert Sun |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Ben |title=Robert Pond, avid aviator collected World War II planes |url=http://www.startribune.com/robert-pond-avid-aviator-collected-world-war-ii-planes/12928961 |access-date=25 January 2022 |work=StarTribune |date=25 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=S. Clayton |title=Bob Pond and the Palm Springs Air Museum |url=http://www.airportjournals.com/bob-pond-and-the-palm-springs-air-museum |website=Airport Journals |access-date=17 June 2024 |date=1 May 2005}}</ref>
The museum encompasses five themed hangars:


The museum opened a new hangar, named for Major General Ken Miles, in May 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Descant |first1=Skip |title=New hangar opens at Palm Springs Air Museum, ready for an educational mission |url=http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2017/05/26/new-hangar-opens-palm-springs-air-museum-ready-educational-mission/343310001 |accessdate=25 March 2019 |work=Desert Sun |date=26 May 2017}}</ref>
The Pacific Hangar includes a [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|Pearl Harbor]] diorama narrated by Tom Brokaw, ship and submarine models, an interactive map, and a tribute to [[United Service Organizations|USO-tour]] leader Bob Hope.


The museum broke ground on a new entrance and large classroom in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Van Dijk |first1=Cara |last2=Greer |first2=Ann |title=PS Air Museum breaks ground for Ronald M. Auen Learning Center |url=http://www.desertsun.com/story/life/entertainment/people/2024/06/07/ps-air-museum-breaks-ground-for-ronald-m-auen-learning-center/73942759007 |access-date=17 June 2024 |work=Desert Sun |date=7 June 2024}}</ref>
The European Hangar includes tributes to the [[Tuskegee Airmen]] and women in aviation. Also in this space is a walk-in [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 Fighting Falcon]] flight simulator.

The B-17 Hangar houses the museum’s largest aircraft: a [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress|Boeing B-17G]] bomber that is available for interior tours.

The Korea/Vietnam Hangar includes a “Presidents Who Served” exhibition and display of [[POW bracelet|POW/MIA bracelets]] accompanied prisoner-of-war videos.

The F-117A Hangar contains the museum’s [[Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk|Lockheed Martin F-117 Nighthawk]] stealth fighter and a [[War on terror|War on Terror]] timeline beginning September 11, 2001.

The visitor center includes a gift shop; a theater showing documentary films throughout the day; and a resource center that includes flight-simulator stations, books, magazines, DVDs, and veterans video interviews.


== Restorations ==
== Restorations ==
The museum hires certified mechanics to restore planes that will fly, while volunteers with restoration expertise work on exhibition-only planes. Among such projects was a [[Douglas SBD Dauntless|Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless]] dive bomber recovered from the bottom of Lake Michigan some 50 years after a Navy ensign, in carrier-landing training in 1944, had to ditch the plane when its engine failed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2021 |title=Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs, CA |url=https://aviationhistorymuseums.com/blog/2021/8/16/palm-springs-air-museum-palm-springs-ca |website=Aviation History Museums}}</ref>
The museum hires certified mechanics to restore planes that will fly, while volunteers with restoration expertise work on exhibition-only planes. Among such projects was a [[Douglas SBD Dauntless|Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless]] dive bomber recovered from the bottom of Lake Michigan 50 years after a Navy ensign, in carrier-landing training in 1944, had to ditch the plane when its engine failed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Bruno |first=Tony |date=August 16, 2021 |title=Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs, CA |url=https://aviationhistorymuseums.com/blog/2021/8/16/palm-springs-air-museum-palm-springs-ca |website=Aviation History Museums}}</ref>


In November of 2021, the museum began restoring a [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress|Boeing B-17]] to make it airworthy after it had been on display since 2016 at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, N.Y. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Estes |first=Adam |date=April 14, 2024 |title=The Movie Memphis Belle’s Engines Run Again |url=https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbird-restorations/engine-runs-on-the-movie-memphis-belle.html |website=Vintage Aviation News}}</ref>
In November of 2021, the museum began restoring a [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress|Boeing B-17]] to make it airworthy after it had been on display since 2016 at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, N.Y. The first engine-run test occurred in April of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Estes |first=Adam |date=April 14, 2024 |title=The Movie Memphis Belle's Engines Run Again |url=https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbird-restorations/engine-runs-on-the-movie-memphis-belle.html |website=Vintage Aviation News}}</ref>


On December 5, 2022, during an opening celebration for an exhibit featuring Walt Disney’s [[Grumman Gulfstream I]], the museum announced that it was embarking on a two-year project to restore the interior of the plane that Disney used when he surveyed Florida for a theme-park location.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Disney Announces Restoration and Recreation of the Interior of Walt Disney’s Plane to Its 1960s Design |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-announces-restoration-and-recreation-of-the-interior-of-walt-disneys-plane-to-its-1960s-design/ |website=The Walt Disney Company}}</ref>
During an exhibit launch for Walt Disney’s [[Grumman Gulfstream I]] on December 5, 2022, The Walt Disney Company announced that Palm Springs Air Museum was embarking on a two-year project to restore the interior of the plane that Disney used when he surveyed Florida for a theme-park location.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Disney Announces Restoration and Recreation of the Interior of Walt Disney's Plane to Its 1960s Design |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-announces-restoration-and-recreation-of-the-interior-of-walt-disneys-plane-to-its-1960s-design/ |website=The Walt Disney Company}}</ref>

⚫
== Hollywood and government connections ==
⚫
Walt Disney maintained a second home in Palm Springs and was instrumental in getting a bond measure to fund Palm Springs Municipal [now International] Airport. His personal Grumman Gulfstream I, on long-term loan from The Walt Disney Company, appeared in Disney Studios’ films “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes” (1969) and “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t” (1972), both starring Kurt Russell. The plane transported Hollywood stars, as well as former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter on trips to Palm Springs.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kleinschmidt |first=Janice |date=December 28, 2022 |title=Walt Disney Lands at Palm Springs Air Museum |url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/palm-springs-air-museum-walt-disney-plane/ |website=Palm Springs Life}}</ref>

⚫
[[Clay Lacy]]’s [[Learjet 24|Learjet 24A]] is exhibited with photographs showing its inclusion in a television and movie productions, among which are “Dragnet,” “Magnum P.I.,” “Miami Vice,” “Airport 1975,” and “Any Which Way You Can.”

⚫
The museum’s [[Grumman F4F Wildcat|Grumman Wildcat]] was purchased after World War II by Warner Bros. Studio and used in the 1949 film “Task Force,” starring Gary Cooper, Jane Wyatt, and Walter Brennan.<ref name=":0" />

⚫
Disney recorded the engine of the museum’s [[Vought F4U Corsair|Chance Vought F-4U Corsair]] for its 2013 animated “Planes” to provide sound for the Corsair flown by the film’s Naval aviator Skipper Riley.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pelham |first=Victoria |date=August 7, 2013 |title=Disney uses local WWII plane’s sounds for new movie |work=The Desert Sun}}</ref>

⚫
The museum’s [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress|Boeing B-17]] “Movie Memphis Belle” was used in the 1990 film “Memphis Belle” starring Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, and Sean Astin.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Farmer |first=James |date=November 1990 |title=The Making of Memphis Belle |journal=Air Classics}}</ref>

⚫
The museum’s [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51 Mustang]] “Man O’ War” was purchased by Universal Studios in 1957 and used in the 1957 movie “Battle Hymn” starring Rock Hudson.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Kylie |date=August 5, 2020 |title=P-51 Mustang Man O’War coming to Palm Springs Air Museum |url=https://kesq.com/news/2020/08/05/p-51-mustang-man-owar-coming-to-palm-springs-air-museum/ |work=KESQ-TV}}</ref>

⚫
The museum’s [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51 Mustang]] “Bunny,” which it restored to flight status, was displayed at the welcome ceremony for Gen. David Allvin as Air Force Chief of Staff on November 17, 2023, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome Ceremony for Gen David W. Allvin, 23rd Chief of Staff of the Air Force |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p51GsquCJl8 |website=Defense Now}}</ref>


==Collection==
==Collection==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
The following are among aircraft exhibited at the museum.{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|Aero S-106]] ''1112''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Mikoyan Gurevich-Aero S-106 Fishbed-C (NATO), s/n 1112 {1} CVL, c/n 161112 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=75090 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=26 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|Aero S-106]] ''1112''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Mikoyan Gurevich-Aero S-106 Fishbed-C (NATO), s/n 1112 {1} CVL, c/n 161112 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=75090 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=26 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Bell AH-1 Cobra|Bell AH-1G Cobra]] ''67-15574''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Bell AH-1G-BF Cobra, s/n 67-15574 US, c/n 20238 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=7893 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=26 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Bell AH-1 Cobra|Bell AH-1G Cobra]] ''67-15574''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Bell AH-1G-BF Cobra, s/n 67-15574 US, c/n 20238 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=7893 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=26 March 2019}}</ref>
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* [[Grumman FM-2 Wildcat]] ''55627''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Grumman-General Motors Eastern Aircraft Division FM-2 Wildcat, s/n 55627 USN, c/n 3268, c/r N47201 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=25670 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=26 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Grumman FM-2 Wildcat]] ''55627''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Grumman-General Motors Eastern Aircraft Division FM-2 Wildcat, s/n 55627 USN, c/n 3268, c/r N47201 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=25670 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=26 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Grumman F8F Bearcat|Grumman G-58B Gulfhawk]] ''D-1262''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Grumman G-58B, c/n D-1262, c/r N700A |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=28363 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Grumman F8F Bearcat|Grumman G-58B Gulfhawk]] ''D-1262''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Grumman G-58B, c/n D-1262, c/r N700A |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=28363 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Grumman Gulfstream I]] – owned by [[Walt Disney]], on loan from the Disney Archives<ref>{{cite web |title=Walt Disney’s Airplane Returns to Palm Springs After D23 Expo |url=http://d23.com/walt-disneys-airplane-returns-to-palm-springs-after-d23-expo |website=D23 |access-date=15 September 2022 |date=8 September 2022}}</ref>
* [[Grumman Gulfstream I]] – owned by [[Walt Disney]], on loan from the Disney Archives<ref>{{cite web |title=Walt Disney's Airplane Returns to Palm Springs After D23 Expo |url=http://d23.com/walt-disneys-airplane-returns-to-palm-springs-after-d23-expo |website=D23 |access-date=15 September 2022 |date=8 September 2022}}</ref>
* [[Grumman TBF Avenger|General Motors TBM-3 Avenger]] ''53785''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Grumman-General Motors TBM-3 Avenger, s/n 53785 USN, c/n 3847, c/r N7075C |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=31225 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=26 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Grumman TBF Avenger|General Motors TBM-3 Avenger]] ''53785''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Grumman-General Motors TBM-3 Avenger, s/n 53785 USN, c/n 3847, c/r N7075C |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=31225 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=26 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter|Lockheed F-104G Starfighter]] ''D-8244''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Palm Springs Air Museum’s F-104 Starfighter Unveiling |url=http://warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/palm-springs-air-museums-f-104-starfighter-unveiling.html |website=Warbird Digest |accessdate=26 March 2019 |date=7 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Lockheed-Fokker F-104G Starfighter, s/n D-8244 KLu, c/n 8244 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=152460 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=26 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter|Lockheed F-104G Starfighter]] ''D-8244''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Palm Springs Air Museum's F-104 Starfighter Unveiling |url=http://warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/palm-springs-air-museums-f-104-starfighter-unveiling.html |website=Warbird Digest |accessdate=26 March 2019 |date=7 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Lockheed-Fokker F-104G Starfighter, s/n D-8244 KLu, c/n 8244 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=152460 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=26 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Stealth fighter F-117 Nighthawk now on display at Palm Springs Air Museum |url=http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2022/04/03/stealth-f-117-nighthawk-jet-goes-display-palm-springs-air-museum/7251978001 |access-date=15 September 2022 |work=Desert Sun |date=3 April 2022}}</ref>
* [[Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Stealth fighter F-117 Nighthawk now on display at Palm Springs Air Museum |url=http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2022/04/03/stealth-f-117-nighthawk-jet-goes-display-palm-springs-air-museum/7251978001 |access-date=15 September 2022 |work=Desert Sun |date=3 April 2022}}</ref>
* [[Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon]] ''37211''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon, s/n 37211 USN, c/n 15-1177, c/r N7273C |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=4069 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref>
* [[Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon]] ''37211''<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon, s/n 37211 USN, c/n 15-1177, c/r N7273C |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=4069 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref>
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{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


==See also==
==Events==
The museum holds an annual flower drop from its B-25 on Memorial Day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reyes |first=Jesus |date=27 May 2024 |title=Palm Springs Air Museum holds annual Memorial Day flower drop |url=http://www.kesq.com/news/2024/05/27/palm-springs-air-museum-holds-annual-memorial-day-flower-drop |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=KESQ |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Education ==
In addition to giving tours to local youth and creating curriculum guides for teachers anywhere on the topics of World War II and women in aviation, the museum runs the following programs:

First Flight Experience is geared toward aspiring pilots from 12 to 17 years of age. Each student receives an introduction to flight aboard a [[Cessna 182 Skylane]]. Because they participate in the pre-flight check and learn about take-off, landing, and in-air maneuvers, their time in the air counts toward the number of hours needed to qualify for a pilot’s license.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kleinschmidt |first=Janice |date=November 6, 2023 |title=Palm Springs Air Museum's Future Expansion |url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/palm-springs-air-museums-future-expansion/ |website=Palm Springs Life}}</ref>

The museum’s Young Science Professionals Scholarship Fund is for high school seniors and undergraduate students accepted to or enrolled in a four-year college.<ref name=":0" />

⚫
== Hollywood and Political Connections ==
⚫
Walt Disney maintained a second home in Palm Springs and was instrumental in getting a bond measure to fund Palm Springs Municipal [now International] Airport.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kleinschmidt |first=Janice |date=December 28, 2022 |title=Walt Disney Lands at Palm Springs Air Museum |url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/palm-springs-air-museum-walt-disney-plane/ |website=Palm Springs Life}}</ref> His personal Grumman Gulfstream I, on long-term loan from The Walt Disney Company, appeared in Disney Studios’ films “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes” (1969) and “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t” (1972), both starring Kurt Russell. The plane transported Hollywood stars, as well as former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter on trips to Palm Springs.<ref name=":2" />

⚫
[[Clay Lacy]]’s [[Learjet 24|Learjet 24A]] is exhibited with photographs showing its inclusion in a wide range of television and movie productions, among which are “Dragnet,” “Magnum P.I.,” “Miami Vice,” “Airport 1975,” and “Any Which Way You Can.”

⚫
The museum’s [[Grumman F4F Wildcat|Grumman Wildcat]] was purchased after World War II by Warner Bros. Studio and used in the 1949 film “Task Force,” starring Gary Cooper, Jane Wyatt, and Walter Brennan.<ref name=":1" />

⚫
Disney recorded the engine of the museum’s [[Vought F4U Corsair|Chance Vought F-4U Corsair]] for its 2013 animated “Planes” to provide sound for the Corsair flown by the film’s Naval aviator Skipper Riley.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pelham |first=Victoria |date=August 7, 2013 |title=Disney uses local WWII plane’s sounds for new movie |work=The Desert Sun}}</ref>

⚫
The museum’s Boeing B-17 “Movie Memphis Belle” was used in the 1990 film “Memphis Belle” starring Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, and Sean Astin.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farmer |first=James |date=November 1990 |title=The Making of Memphis Belle |work=Air Classics}}</ref>

⚫
The museum’s [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51 Mustang]] “Man O’ War” was purchased by Universal Studios in 1957 and was used in the 1957 movie “Battle Hymn” starring Rock Hudson.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Kylie |date=August 5, 2020 |title=P-51 Mustang Man O’War coming to Palm Springs Air Museum |url=https://kesq.com/news/2020/08/05/p-51-mustang-man-owar-coming-to-palm-springs-air-museum/ |work=KESQ-TV}}</ref>

⚫
The museum’s P-51 Mustang “Bunny,” which it restored to flight status, was displayed at the welcome ceremony for Gen. David Allvin as Air Force Chief of Staff on November 17, 2023, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome Ceremony for Gen David W. Allvin, 23rd Chief of Staff of the Air Force |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p51GsquCJl8 |website=Defense Now}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[List of aviation museums]]
*[[List of aviation museums]]


Revision as of 16:45, 26 August 2024

Palm Springs Air Museum
Palm Springs Air Museum is located in southern California
Palm Springs Air Museum
Location within southern California
Established1996
LocationPalm Springs, California
Coordinates33°49′57″N 116°30′17″W / 33.8325°N 116.5047°W / 33.8325; -116.5047
TypeAviation museum
Collection size75 aircraft
DirectorFred Bell
ChairpersonDan Gilbertson
Websitewww.palmspringsairmuseum.org

Palm Springs Air Museum is an aviation museum in Palm Springs, California. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit leases from the city 17 acres abutting Palm Springs International Airport.

The museum encompasses five themed hangars, outdoor displays, and a visitor center that includes a resource center with flight simulators. It operates warbird rides, air demonstrations, and talks by experts on specific topics. Many of the museum’s planes have been used in movies and fly in air shows.

History

The museum was incorporated in 1994 by Harold Madison, Charles Mayer, and Bill Byrne. Madison contacted his friend Robert Pond, a World War II veteran who collected and rebuilt warbirds and classic cars. Pond's aircraft were displayed at the Planes of Fame East Museum in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and he agreed to loan some of them to the museum. The aircraft originally split their time between both museums, but when Planes of Fame East closed, the aircraft were permanently moved to Palm Springs. With planes and cars from Pond’s collection, Palm Springs Air Museum opened on 11 November 1996.[1][2][3]

The museum opened a new hangar, named for Major General Ken Miles, in May 2017.[4]

The museum broke ground on a new entrance and large classroom in 2024.[5]

Restorations

The museum hires certified mechanics to restore planes that will fly, while volunteers with restoration expertise work on exhibition-only planes. Among such projects was a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless dive bomber recovered from the bottom of Lake Michigan 50 years after a Navy ensign, in carrier-landing training in 1944, had to ditch the plane when its engine failed.[6]

In November of 2021, the museum began restoring a Boeing B-17 to make it airworthy after it had been on display since 2016 at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, N.Y. The first engine-run test occurred in April of 2024.[7]

During an exhibit launch for Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I on December 5, 2022, The Walt Disney Company announced that Palm Springs Air Museum was embarking on a two-year project to restore the interior of the plane that Disney used when he surveyed Florida for a theme-park location.[8]

Collection

The following are among aircraft exhibited at the museum.

Events

The museum holds an annual flower drop from its B-25 on Memorial Day.[59]

Education

In addition to giving tours to local youth and creating curriculum guides for teachers anywhere on the topics of World War II and women in aviation, the museum runs the following programs:

First Flight Experience is geared toward aspiring pilots from 12 to 17 years of age. Each student receives an introduction to flight aboard a Cessna 182 Skylane. Because they participate in the pre-flight check and learn about take-off, landing, and in-air maneuvers, their time in the air counts toward the number of hours needed to qualify for a pilot’s license.[60]

The museum’s Young Science Professionals Scholarship Fund is for high school seniors and undergraduate students accepted to or enrolled in a four-year college.[60]

Hollywood and Political Connections

Walt Disney maintained a second home in Palm Springs and was instrumental in getting a bond measure to fund Palm Springs Municipal [now International] Airport.[61] His personal Grumman Gulfstream I, on long-term loan from The Walt Disney Company, appeared in Disney Studios’ films “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes” (1969) and “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t” (1972), both starring Kurt Russell. The plane transported Hollywood stars, as well as former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter on trips to Palm Springs.[8]

Clay Lacy’s Learjet 24A is exhibited with photographs showing its inclusion in a wide range of television and movie productions, among which are “Dragnet,” “Magnum P.I.,” “Miami Vice,” “Airport 1975,” and “Any Which Way You Can.”

The museum’s Grumman Wildcat was purchased after World War II by Warner Bros. Studio and used in the 1949 film “Task Force,” starring Gary Cooper, Jane Wyatt, and Walter Brennan.[6]

Disney recorded the engine of the museum’s Chance Vought F-4U Corsair for its 2013 animated “Planes” to provide sound for the Corsair flown by the film’s Naval aviator Skipper Riley.[62]

The museum’s Boeing B-17 “Movie Memphis Belle” was used in the 1990 film “Memphis Belle” starring Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, and Sean Astin.[63]

The museum’s P-51 Mustang “Man O’ War” was purchased by Universal Studios in 1957 and was used in the 1957 movie “Battle Hymn” starring Rock Hudson.[64]

The museum’s P-51 Mustang “Bunny,” which it restored to flight status, was displayed at the welcome ceremony for Gen. David Allvin as Air Force Chief of Staff on November 17, 2023, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.[65]

See also

References

  1. ^ Goolsby, Denise. "Dining buddies dreamed up Palm Springs Air Museum". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  2. ^ Cohen, Ben (25 June 2008). "Robert Pond, avid aviator collected World War II planes". StarTribune. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  3. ^ Moore, S. Clayton (1 May 2005). "Bob Pond and the Palm Springs Air Museum". Airport Journals. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  4. ^ Descant, Skip (26 May 2017). "New hangar opens at Palm Springs Air Museum, ready for an educational mission". Desert Sun. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  5. ^ Van Dijk, Cara; Greer, Ann (7 June 2024). "PS Air Museum breaks ground for Ronald M. Auen Learning Center". Desert Sun. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b Bruno, Tony (August 16, 2021). "Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs, CA". Aviation History Museums.
  7. ^ Estes, Adam (April 14, 2024). "The Movie Memphis Belle's Engines Run Again". Vintage Aviation News.
  8. ^ a b "Disney Announces Restoration and Recreation of the Interior of Walt Disney's Plane to Its 1960s Design". The Walt Disney Company. December 5, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an "Aircraft". Palm Springs Air Museum. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
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  11. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Bell AH-1G-BF Cobra, s/n 67-15574 US, c/n 20238". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  12. ^ a b c "Restorations". Palm Springs Air Museum. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  13. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Bell P-63A-1-BE Kingcobra, s/n 42-68864 USAAF, c/n 091263RP, c/r N163BP". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  14. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Bell UH-1B-BF Iroquois, s/n 63-8610 US, c/n 832, c/r N5HF". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  15. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Stearman-Boeing PT-17 Kaydet, s/n 38393 USN, c/n 75-8014, c/r N63555". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  16. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Boeing VB-17G Fortress, s/n 44-85778 USAF, c/n 8687, c/r N3509G". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  17. ^ "Airframe Dossier - North American-Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Sabre 32, s/n F-8612 TNI-AU, c/n CA27-072". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
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  19. ^ Goolsby, Denise (21 March 2015). "Palm Springs Air Museum lands an F-102 aircraft". Desert Sun. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  20. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Convair F-102A-80-CO Delta Dagger, s/n 56-1432 USAF". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  21. ^ a b c "AIRCRAFT ON LOAN (by Location)" (PDF). National Museum of the United States Air Force. April 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  22. ^ "F-106B 57-2509". F-106 Delta Dart Association. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  23. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Curtiss TP-40N Warhawk, s/n 44-7084 USAAF, c/n 32824, c/r N999CD". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
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  25. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Douglas RC-47, s/n 044 IDF, c/n 16007, c/r N60154". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  26. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Northrop-Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless, s/n 36176 USN, c/n 4815". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  27. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk, s/n 154649 USN". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  28. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Engineering and Research Corporation 415C, c/n 4019, c/r N3394H". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
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  30. ^ "Airframe Dossier - General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, s/n 163277 USN, c/n 3M-10". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  31. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman A-6A Intruder, s/n 154162 USN, c/n I-297". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  32. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman C-1A Trader, s/n 146048 USN, c/n G-96-78, c/r N7171M". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  33. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman F6F-5K Hellcat, s/n 94473 USN, c/n A-12225, c/r N4964W". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  34. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman F7F-3 Tigercat, s/n 80412 USN, c/n C.154, c/r N207F". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  35. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman F-14A-105-GR Tomcat, s/n 160898 USN, c/n 327". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  36. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman-General Motors Eastern Aircraft Division FM-2 Wildcat, s/n 55627 USN, c/n 3268, c/r N47201". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  37. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman G-58B, c/n D-1262, c/r N700A". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  38. ^ "Walt Disney's Airplane Returns to Palm Springs After D23 Expo". D23. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  39. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman-General Motors TBM-3 Avenger, s/n 53785 USN, c/n 3847, c/r N7075C". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  40. ^ "Palm Springs Air Museum's F-104 Starfighter Unveiling". Warbird Digest. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  41. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Lockheed-Fokker F-104G Starfighter, s/n D-8244 KLu, c/n 8244". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  42. ^ "Stealth fighter F-117 Nighthawk now on display at Palm Springs Air Museum". Desert Sun. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  43. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon, s/n 37211 USN, c/n 15-1177, c/r N7273C". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  44. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Lockheed TV-2 Shooting Star, s/n 126591 USN, c/n 580-5327, c/r N6633D". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  45. ^ "Airframe Dossier - McDonnell F-4S Phantom II, s/n 153851 USN, c/n 2299". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  46. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Northrop-McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A-14-MC (Lot 7) Hornet, s/n 162403 USN, c/n 231/A183". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  47. ^ "Airframe Dossier - North American TB-25N Mitchell, s/n 44-86747 USAAF, c/n 108-47501, c/r N8163H". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
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  49. ^ "Airframe Dossier - North American P-51D-30-NA Mustang, s/n 9273 RCAF, c/n 122-41448, c/r N151BP". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  50. ^ "Airframe Dossier - North American T-6G Texan, s/n 85 Racer, c/n 88-11594, c/r N85JR". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  51. ^ "Airframe Dossier - North American T-28B Trojan, s/n 138203 USN, c/n 200-274, c/r N372C". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  52. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Grumman EA-6B Prowler, s/n 163030". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  53. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Taylorcraft-Piper J-3L-65, c/n 04594, c/r N28118". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  54. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Republic-General Motors-Fisher Body F-84F-40-GK Thunderstreak, s/n 51-9531 USAF". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  55. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Republic TF-47D Thunderbolt, s/n 122 FAPe, c/n 399-55744, c/r N47RP". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  56. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse, s/n 154895 USMC, c/n 58-1805". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  57. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIVe, s/n SG108 FABe, c/n 6S-648206, c/r N114BP". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  58. ^ "Airframe Dossier - Vought-Goodyear FG-1D Corsair, s/n 215 FAS, c/n 3890, c/r N62290". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  59. ^ Reyes, Jesus (27 May 2024). "Palm Springs Air Museum holds annual Memorial Day flower drop". KESQ. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  60. ^ a b Kleinschmidt, Janice (November 6, 2023). "Palm Springs Air Museum's Future Expansion". Palm Springs Life.
  61. ^ Kleinschmidt, Janice (December 28, 2022). "Walt Disney Lands at Palm Springs Air Museum". Palm Springs Life.
  62. ^ Pelham, Victoria (August 7, 2013). "Disney uses local WWII plane's sounds for new movie". The Desert Sun.
  63. ^ Farmer, James (November 1990). "The Making of Memphis Belle". Air Classics.
  64. ^ Miller, Kylie (August 5, 2020). "P-51 Mustang Man O'War coming to Palm Springs Air Museum". KESQ-TV.
  65. ^ "Welcome Ceremony for Gen David W. Allvin, 23rd Chief of Staff of the Air Force". Defense Now.

Further reading

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