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Palm Springs Air Museum, California (Where Gumbo was #104)

 B-17 Flying Fortress. Courtesy of the USAF

Gumbo was visiting the Palm Springs Air Museum in the California desert, and specifically had the privilege of sitting in the cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber (like the one in the above photo).  Congratulations to the many who solved the puzzle.  PHeymont was the first to email the answer, followed by PortMoresby, Chris Taylor and mBybee.  I believe GarryRF and Mac also had it figured out, but they're both shy Englishmen who don't like to speculate in public.  

 

Entry to the Palm Springs Air Museum. Grumman A-6E Intrude aircraft

 

Entry to the Palm Springs Air Museum. Grumman A-6E Intrude aircraft

(entrance to Palm Springs Air Museum)

 

The Palm Springs Air Museum is located on the north side of the Palm Springs Airport.  The Air Museum is housed in an expansive structure that includes the two main display halls and hangars, a theater, gift shop, research library, flight simulator and education center.  It's website indicates it's been rated by CNN as one of the top 14 Air Museums in the World. The museum provides an up-close look at the legendary fighters and bombers of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.  The warm, dry desert climate is ideal for preserving planes, so in this regard the museum is well situated.    What's most amazing is that most of these planes are flight-worthy (27 flyable aircraft), making it one of the world's largest collections of flyable WWII airplanes.

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Cockpit of the Flying Fortress, B17 bomber. (cockpit of the B17 Flying Fortress)

 

B-17 Bombers at March Field, California. Courtesy of the USAF

(B17 Flying Fortress Bombers, circa 1941)

 

The docent/guides are often retired air force personal who actually worked with the planes they give you a tour of during their military service.  Their enthusiasm for the aircraft is infectious.  Many of these men are heroes and it's a great privilege to hear them share their love of these beautiful machines.

    

Palm Springs Air Museum. Douglas DC3 aircraft

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Douglas DC3 aircraft

 

Twice a month on Saturday afternoons (and some holidays) museum visitors can watch in-air flight demonstrations of these historic aircraft!  The sights and the sounds are distinctive and would be most memorable!  I'd sure like to see a flight demo someday.

 

 More photos of the Air Museum's amazing collection follow.  For photo legends, scroll and hold your mouse over the image, or click on the thumbnails below.

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Grumman F8F Bearcat aircraft (Bob's Bear)

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Grumman F8F Bearcat aircraft (Bob's Bear)

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Our sons' friend, John, studying the cockpit of an aircraft

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Douglas A-26 Invader aircraft

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Grumman F7F Tigercat aircraft

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (Kittyhawk) aircraft

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (Kittyhawk) aircraft

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (Kittyhawk) aircraft

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Bell P-63 Kingcobra aircraft

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Children's play area

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Consolidated PBY+ Catalina aircraft

 

Palm Springs Air Museum. Jeep belonging to Read Admiral McLaughlin

 

Attachments

Images (19)
  • Entry to the Palm Springs Air Museum.  Grumman A-6E Intrude aircraft
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Douglas DC3 aircraft
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Douglas DC3 aircraft
  • Entry to the Palm Springs Air Museum.  Grumman A-6E Intrude aircraft
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Jeep belonging to Read Admiral McLaughlin
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Grumman F8F Bearcat aircraft (Bob's Bear)
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Grumman F8F Bearcat aircraft (Bob's Bear)
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Our sons' friend, John, studying the cockpit of an aircraft
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Douglas A-26 Invader aircraft
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Grumman F7F Tigercat aircraft
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (Kittyhawk) aircraft
  • Palm Springs Air Museum. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (Kittyhawk) aircraft
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  B-25 Mitchell Bomber "Mitch the Witch II"
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Bell P-63 Kingcobra aircraft
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Cockpit of the Flying Fortress, B17 bomber.
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Children's play area
  • Palm Springs Air Museum.  Consolidated PBY+ Catalina aircraft
  • B-17 Flying Fortress.  Courtesy of the USAF
  • B-17 Bombers at March Field, California.   Courtesy of the USAF

Twitter: @DrFumblefinger

"We do not take a trip, a trip takes us".  John Steinbeck, from Travels with Charlie

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Comments (2)

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And I thought that GarryF had snagged the first date with Miss Angela.... I am distraught!! 

I just love the nose-art on these planes. To have so many fly-able planes too what a collection!! Thanks Dr.F a great piece.

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things."  Henry Miller

Another simple photo that inspires lots of chat.

I too was wondering who first caught Miss Angela's eye.

But then ...  gentlemen never kiss and tell !

Love the artwork, something the stuffy Brits would never allow !

The USAF had a base at Burtonwood UK. Close to Liverpool where I now live.

The aircraft would fly almost non-stop. New crew and re-load. Not even stopping the engines. (Tales from my Dad)

The hundreds of American personnel would hit the bars in Liverpool on R+R.

The local men would say of them " Over paid. Over sexed and Over here !"

There are a few older guys that still want to go to the US to trace their family tree.

That's if their Father used their real name !

 

Last edited by GarryRF
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