The Palm Springs Air Museum (PSAM), is a non-profit educational institution in Palm Springs, Riverside County, California. The Museum's mission is to exhibit, educate and eternalize the role of the World War II combat aircraft and the role the pilots and American citizens had in winning the war. In addition to flying aircraft, related artifacts, artwork, and library sources are used to perpetuate American history. It contains one of the world's largest collections of flying World War II warplanes, many of which were built in Southern California. Many of these aircraft have been used by motion picture companies in movies set during the second world war.
Located on the north-east side of the Palm Springs International Airport, the Air Museum is housed in a new structure that includes three main display hangars, theater, gift shop, ramp and airport access for flight demonstrations and visiting planes, research library, simulator and education center. The museum has also been rented as the site for celebrity galas, private parties and balls. The museum is available for rent.
An extensive collection of aviation art by Stan Stokes.
Collection
The Flying Collection includes:
- Bell P-63 Kingcobra
- Boeing-Stearman PT-17 Kaydet
- Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (which visitors can walk through, as well)
- Consolidated PBY Catalina
- Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
- Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
- Douglas B-26 Invader
- Douglas C-47 Dakota
- Douglas SBD Dauntless Dive bomber
- General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
- Grumman A-6 Intruder
- Grumman C-1 Trader
- Grumman F4F Wildcat
- Grumman F6F Hellcat
- Grumman F7F Tigercat
- Grumman F8F Bearcat
- Grumman F-14A Tomcat
- Grumman TBF Avenger
- Grumman OA-13 Goose
- Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star Trainer
- McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
- McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet
- North American B-25 Mitchell
- North American P-51 Mustang
- North American T-6 Texan
- Piper J-3 Cub
- Republic P-47D-40RA Thunderbolt 45-49205 Big Chief
- Ryan STM Sport
- Supermarine Spitfire
- Vought FG-1D Corsair 92629 S 301
- Bell AH-1B Cobra Gunship
- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger (under restoration)
- Lockheed F-104G Starfighter
- Republic F-105D Thunderchief
- Bell UH-1B Huey Gunship, currently being restored.
Static Display includes:
- Flak 37 88 mm gun (near parking lot)
In 2001 Huell Howser Productions, in association with KCET/Los Angeles, featured the Air Museum in California's Gold; the program is available as a VHS videorecording.
References
Further reading
- Hussey, Steven P. (2012). Aircraft of...Palm Springs Air Museum. p. 68. ISBN 978-1467507325.Â
- Niemann, Greg (2006). "40: Reviving the Big One â€" WWII". Palm Springs Legends: creation of a desert oasis. San Diego, CA: Sunbelt Publications. p. 286. ISBN 978-0-932653-74-1. OCLC 61211290. (here for Table of Contents)
External links
- Official website
- Organizational Profile â€" National Center for Charitable Statistics (Urban Institute)
