BV 222 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #194
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we are looking at the Blohm & Voss BV 222, a German flying boat designed in 1938, with a 150-foot wingspan, making it the largest German flying boat of World War II. Despite being a military aircraft, the BV 222 initially flew under civilian registration and livery. It first flew […]
Douglas RD-2 Dolphin – Warbird Wednesday Episode #193
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Since this is the episode before Thanksgiving we wanted to give a special thanks to all our viewers and all our supporters who have helped us grow our following by leaps and bounds. Thank you to Greg and Kevin for making sure the technical stuff is always tightened up and we […]
Felixstowe F5L – Warbird Wednesday Episode #192
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we are looking at the Felixstowe F5L aircraft, particularly focusing on its historical significance during World War I. The F5L was a sea plane with 227 units built, produced by the Naval Aircraft Factory, Curtis Aircraft, and Canadian Sea Planes Limited. Introduced in 1918, it served as a standard patrol […]
Boeing 314 Clipper – Warbird Wednesday Episode #191
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we are looking at a “flying boat” known as the Boeing 314 Clipper. Introduced in 1939 and retired in 1948, this aircraft left a mark on aviation history. Out of the 12 built, nine served Pan American Airways. Offering opulent amenities such as sleeping berths, the Clipper provided a luxurious […]
USAF Test Pilot School Part 5 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #187
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today is part 5 of our series at Edwards Air Force Base with the prestigious United States Air Force Test Pilot School. Joining us is Captain Casey “Sandman” Slattery. In this episode the central control room is showcased, where flight test engineers monitor and oversee testing missions, receiving telemetry data from […]
USAF Test Pilot School Part 4 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #186
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today is part 4 of our series at Edwards Air Force Base with the prestigious United States Air Force Test Pilot School. Joining us is Mr. Dicarie “Dojo” Williamson. Dojo will discuss the focus on human factors and human performance in relation to technology integration. He explains the emphasis and the […]
USAF Test Pilot School Part 3 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #185
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today is part 3 of our series at Edwards Air Force Base with the prestigious United States Air Force Test Pilot School. Joining us is Captain Christopher “Clutch” Shannon. Clutch is a student who has hands-on experience with the F-35 Fighter Jet and discusses the rigorous application process for TPS and […]
USAF Test Pilot School Part 2 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #184
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today is part 2 of our series at Edwards Air Force Base with the prestigious United States Air Force Test Pilot School. Joining us is Major Shawn “Demon” Stephens. Demon’s career path began with an interest in aircraft, influenced by parents who served in the Air Force. He pursued aerospace […]
USAF Test Pilot School – Warbird Wednesday Episode #183
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we’re thrilled to take you on an exciting journey as we explore Edwards Air Force Base and the prestigious United States Air Force Test Pilot School. Joining us is the esteemed Commandant of the Test Pilot School, Colonel Sebrina “Poco” Pabon. Colonel Pabon’s passion for Science and Math from a […]
RQ-4 Global Hawk – Warbird Wednesday Episode #182
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we’re delving into our latest viewer request, focusing on an unmanned drone known as the RQ-4 Global Hawk. With a wingspan roughly the size of a C-130 dimensionally, this aircraft took its first flight in 1998 and entered service in 2001. Currently, there are 42 of these drones in operation, […]
E-3 Sentry – Warbird Wednesday Episode #180
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we were going to finish reconnaissance aircraft coverage but received some viewer requests! We’ll be discussing the E-3 Sentry, which is based on the Boeing 707 airframe and features a distinctive rotating dome. This aircraft plays a critical role in both US defense and battlefield management. In the mid-1960s, the […]
PSAM Sets Up Indigogo Page to Help Cathedral City Residents Recover from Tropical Storm Hilary
Palm Springs Air Museum Sets Up Indigogo Page to Help Cathedral City Residents Recover from Tropical Storm Hilary The Palm Springs Air Museum (PSAM) has set up an Indiegogo page to help Cathedral City residents recover from Tropical Storm Hilary. Anyone donating $200 or more via the Indiegogo page, will receive one free ride on […]
Disney and LucasFilms Artist Steven Anderson Joins Palm Springs Air Museum’s Creative Team
The Palm Springs Air Museum is pleased to announce that Disney and LucasFilms’ Artist Steve Anderson is now the Official Artist for the Palm Springs Air Museum. Mr. Anderson, who did all 11 Star Wars films, will create the official 2024 Honoree portraits for the Palm Springs Air Museum’s February 10, 2024 Gala. The 2024 theme is “Top Secret […]
SR-71 Blackbird – Warbird Wednesday Episode #179
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are heading towards the end of the reconnaissance aircraft with the Big Kahuna, the SR-71 Blackbird. The SR-71 was designed by Kelly Johnson and introduced in 1966. The plane was retired in 1998 by the Air Force and in 1999 by NASA “that we know of”. The Blackbird could […]
E-2 Hawkeye – Warbird Wednesday Episode #178
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today, we’re still continuing down reconnaissance row with the E-2 Hawkeye. This aircraft stands as a distinctive Navy reconnaissance and early warning platform. The journey of its design started in the late 1950s with the goal of seamlessly integrating Navy tactical data systems. Despite facing initial hurdles such […]
U-2 Dragon Lady – Warbird Wednesday Episode #177
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at the Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady. This is a unique and recognizable reconnaissance aircraft in the US inventory. Designed between 1950-1955, the aircraft has been in service since 1955 with 104 units produced that we know of since this plane is involved with the CIA. Very difficult […]
A-5 Vigilante – Warbird Wednesday Episode #176
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Continuing down reconnaissance row, today we are looking at the A-5 Vigilante, specifically the reconnaissance version (RA5C). This aircraft was a private venture by North American Aviation that was intended to replace the A3 but essentially became obsolete as it came off the assembly line when the Navy changed priorities during […]
A-3 Skywarrior – Warbird Wednesday Episode #175
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior, affectionately known as ‘The Whale.’ Originally developed in 1949 as a nuclear bomber for the Navy, this aircraft set a new standard for size and capability. At the time, the Whale design held the distinction of being the largest operational aircraft ever […]
P-3 Orion – Warbird Wednesday Episode #174
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are checking out the Lockheed P-3 Orion, an aircraft used for reconnaissance, maritime denial, and surface denial. Based on the Lockheed L188 Electra design, this aircraft was introduced in August 1962. The P-3 replaced the P-2 and P-5 aircraft and had a versatile role, being used for anti-submarine warfare, […]
RB-57D Canberra – Warbird Wednesday Episode #173
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are continuing down reconnaissance row again and looking at the RB-57D Canberra, an aircraft that led to the development of the U2. The Canberra had a unique design with a very large wing that held fuel inside and used glue instead of rivets to be held together. The wings […]
P2V Neptune – Warbird Wednesday Episode #172
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at the P2V Neptune aircraft, which served primarily in the late 1940s to the mid-1960s. This aircraft had various roles, including anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and nuclear bombing capability. Equipped with jet engines and piston engines, it could operate for extended periods using the more fuel-efficient piston […]
XF-12 Rainbow – Warbird Wednesday Episode #170
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are continuing down the reconnaissance aircraft lane and looking at the XF-11. This plane was a high-altitude aircraft ordered by the United States Air Force in 1944. It had speeds up 450 MPH with 3000 HP engines. A struggle this aircraft faced was its counter-rotating propellers, which posed design […]
Student Scholarship Program for Airline Pilot Credentials Initiated by Palm Springs Air Museum and the Air & Space Forces Association – PS Chapter, in partnership with SoCal Pilot Center
June 12, 2023, Palm Springs, CA: The renowned educational non-profit Palm Springs Air Museum (PSAM) is initiating a new program to address the ongoing shortage of qualified airline pilots. According to Oliver Wyman’s Global Fleet & Maintenance-Repair-Overhaul Market Forecast for 2022-20232, “the most vexing challenges for aviation were widespread labor shortages across every sector of […]
Hughes XF-11 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #169
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are continuing down the reconnaissance aircraft lane and looking at the XF-11. This plane was a high-altitude aircraft ordered by the United States Air Force in 1944. It had speeds up 450 MPH with 3000 HP engines. A struggle this aircraft faced was its counter-rotating propellers, which posed design […]
OS2U Kingfisher – Warbird Wednesday Episode #168
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at the OS2U Kingfisher, a reconnaissance aircraft used during World War II. In addition to being a recconnaissance aircraft, it was also used for search and rescue missions picking up downed pilots. This is another example of an aircraft that was operated by various countries including the […]
BV 141 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #167
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at another reconnaissance aircraft known as the BV 141 that has a very unique design. With only 28 of these built, this aircraft replaced one of the dual engines with a viewing gondola that it allowed the germans to have an unobstructed view while flying while not […]
Fieseler Storch – Warbird Wednesday Episode #166
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at the Fieseler Storch which was an observation aircraft with some very unique features like a slotted wing design that allowed for superior short takeoffs, and folding wings that allowed for easy transportation. The aircraft was used for reconnaissance and observation purposes during World War II and […]
Argus AS 292 Reconnaissance Drone – Warbird Wednesday Episode #165
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at the Argus AS 292 reconnaissance drone, which was built in Germany in the late 1930s and was virtually impossible to see when flying so high. Its first flight was in 1937, and in 1939 there was a remote version. 100 units of the remote version where […]
Rumpler C. VII – Warbird Wednesday Episode #164
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at a German biplane called the Rumpler C. VII that was designed for high altitude reconnaissance during World War I. The Rumpler C7 could reach up to 24,000 feet and had specialized camera equipment, a bigger wing, and a Maybach engine to operate in thinner air. The […]
Etrich Taube – Warbird Wednesday Episode #163
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we will start with a new journey down the reconnaissance aircraft category starting with the Etrich Taube, a monoplane designed in 1910 that was used by a number of different National Air Forces. The Taube was mass-produced in Germany and was primarily used for observation at the start of the […]