Palm Springs Air Museum

Palm Springs Air Museum

USA

http://palmspringsairmuseum.org

Education@PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org

+1 (760) 778-6262

Daily 10:00 – 17:00

Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Admission fee

Gift shop

facebook twitter

Located on the northeast side of the Palm Springs Airport, the Air Museum is housed in an impressive new structure that includes the three main display hangars

Aircraft collection

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress

Photo Gallery

67-15574

 

NX163BP/42-68864

N3509G/44-85778

N63555/555

N5359N/427

N31235/48426/55

NX999CD/44-07084

N9425Z/44-35721

44-476423/3X-S

36176/B-25

154649/AJ-01

N4817E

163277/40

NX62290/92629/S-301

154162/AJ-500

146048/16

163030/AJ-504

5627/3

160898/AJ-101

NX4964W/94473/36

80412/BP

NL700A

N700A/BP-8

JR456

N234MM

70913

85-0833/HO

44-23314/162

N7273C

NX6633D/6591/TR-591

162403/NG-201

153851

16

1112

49-3402

44-86747

55-2888

NX151BP/44-74908/E2-S

N85JR/0084/2-P-7

NX28BP/BP

N28118

61-0108/HI

N147BP/228473/2Z-P

NC17434

154895/YL-75

03-26992

N1148P/NH904/W2-P

Bell AH-1G Cobra

 

Bell P-63A Kingcobra

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress

Boeing Stearman N2S-3 Kaydet

Boeing Stearman PT-13D Kaydet

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Curtiss-Wright TP-40N Warhawk

Douglas A-26C Invader

Douglas C-47B Dakota IV

Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless

Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk

GAF N.24A Nomad

General Atomics MQ-1 Predator

General Dynamics F-16N Fighting Falcon

Goodyear FG-1D Corsair

Grumman A-6E Intruder

Grumman C-1A Trader

Grumman EA-6B Prowler

Grumman FM-2 Wildcat

Grumman F-14A Tomcat

Grumman F6F-5K Hellcat

Grumman F7F-3N Tigercat

Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat

Grumman G-58B Gulfhawk

Grumman TBM-3E Avenger

Grumman Gulfstream I

Lockheed F-104G Starfighter

Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk

Lockheed P-38J-20-LO Lightning

Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon

Lockheed T-33B

MCD Douglas F/A-18A Hornet

MCD Douglas QF-4S Phantom

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21F-13

North American AT-6G Texan

North American B-25N Mitchell

North American F-100D Super Sabre

North American P-51D Mustang

North American SNJ-6 Texan

North American T-28 Trojan

North Amercan T-28B Trojan

Piper J3L-65 Cub

Republic F-105D Thunderchief

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt

Ryan PT-22 Recruit

Sikorsky UH-34J Seahorse

Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk

Supermarine Spitfire FR. XIVc

Photo Gallery

Grumman A-6E Intruder

Goodyear FG-1D Corsair

Photo Gallery

The Palm Springs Air Museum, located in Palm Springs, California, is a renowned aviation museum dedicated to preserving, displaying, and flying historical aircraft, particularly those from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the modern military era. The museum is widely recognized for its impressive collection of fully operational aircraft, educational exhibits, and interactive experiences.

General Overview

  • Location: Palm Springs, California, USA (on the north side of Palm Springs International Airport)
  • Established: 1996
  • Focus: The museum’s mission is to educate the public about the role of military aviation in shaping world history, particularly during the 20th century’s major conflicts. Its motto is “History Comes Alive,” emphasizing not just static displays but also flying aircraft.

Aircraft Collection

The Palm Springs Air Museum boasts a collection of over 70 aircraft, many of which are still flightworthy. Here are the primary categories of aircraft on display:

  1. World War II Aircraft:
    • The museum is especially known for its WWII aircraft collection, including legendary planes such as:
      • P-51 Mustang: A highly maneuverable fighter aircraft used extensively in the European and Pacific Theaters.
      • B-17 Flying Fortress: A heavy bomber known for its durability and use in strategic bombing campaigns.
      • C-47 Skytrain: A military transport aircraft that played a crucial role in airborne operations like D-Day.
      • P-40 Warhawk: Famous for its service with the Flying Tigers and its distinctive shark-faced nose art.
  2. Korean and Vietnam War Aircraft:
    • The museum also features aircraft from the Korean and Vietnam Wars, such as:
      • F-86 Sabre: An early jet fighter used during the Korean War, known for its dogfights with Soviet MiG-15s.
      • UH-1 Huey: A helicopter synonymous with the Vietnam War, used for troop transport, medevac, and support roles.
  3. Modern Military Aircraft:
    • Several modern-era planes are part of the collection, showcasing the technological advancements in aviation:
      • F-14 Tomcat: A twin-engine supersonic fighter jet, famous for its role in naval operations and its appearance in films like Top Gun.
      • F-4 Phantom II: A jet used by the U.S. Air Force and Navy, particularly during the Vietnam War.
  4. Flying Aircraft:
    • A highlight of the Palm Springs Air Museum is that many of its aircraft are kept in flight-worthy condition. Visitors can often witness these planes take to the skies during special flight demonstrations and airshows.

Exhibits and Hangers

The Palm Springs Air Museum is divided into four large hangars, each focusing on a different period or aspect of aviation history:

  1. European Theater Hangar:
    • Focuses on the European operations during WWII. Displays here include aircraft and memorabilia related to the Allied forces’ efforts against Nazi Germany. The B-17 Flying Fortress and P-51 Mustang are highlights in this area.
  2. Pacific Theater Hangar:
    • This section is dedicated to the Pacific operations during WWII, focusing on the war against Japan. It features aircraft like the F4U Corsair and P-40 Warhawk, with exhibits explaining the major battles of the Pacific.
  3. Korea and Vietnam Hangar:
    • This hangar covers the transition from propeller-driven aircraft to jets, showcasing planes used in the Korean and Vietnam wars, such as the F-86 Sabre and A-4 Skyhawk.
  4. General Aviation Hangar:
    • The General Aviation Hangar houses a mix of planes from different eras, including more modern aircraft and helicopters. It also features a variety of civilian and commercial aviation history.

Educational and Interactive Experiences

  • Flight Simulators: The Palm Springs Air Museum offers hands-on experiences, such as flight simulators where visitors can experience what it’s like to fly some of the legendary aircraft from its collection.
  • Exhibits on Aviation History: Besides the aircraft, the museum hosts a range of displays and artifacts related to the history of aviation, including uniforms, documents, and equipment used by pilots and ground personnel.
  • Lectures and Programs: The museum regularly hosts guest speakers, veterans, and historians who provide educational talks and seminars on aviation history and personal experiences in combat.
  • Library and Research Center: The museum has a library that houses over 9,000 volumes on aviation and military history, along with an extensive collection of technical manuals and archival material.

Special Events and Activities

  1. Flight Demonstrations: Throughout the year, the museum organizes special flight demonstrations where visitors can watch historic aircraft take to the sky. These events are particularly popular during holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
  2. Warbird Rides: The Palm Springs Air Museum offers visitors the opportunity to book a ride on some of its WWII-era aircraft, providing a unique chance to experience flight in a piece of living history.
  3. Veterans Tributes: The Palm Springs Air Museum regularly hosts ceremonies and events that honor veterans of different wars, providing a space for reflection and appreciation of their sacrifices.

Notable Aircraft in the Palm Springs Air Museum Collection

  • P-51D Mustang “Bunny”: Painted to honor the Red Tail pilots of the Tuskegee Airmen.
  • F4U Corsair: Famous for its service in the Pacific Theater and its distinctive inverted gull wings.
  • B-25 Mitchell: A twin-engine bomber used in various theaters, including the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo.
  • F-14 Tomcat: A modern fighter aircraft known for its speed and dogfighting abilities.