History
Preserving History. Honoring Service. Inspiring Future Generations.
What began with two aviation enthusiasts inspired by an air show has grown into one of California’s premier museums dedicated to preserving military aviation, historic vehicles, and the stories of the men and women who served.
A Vision Takes Flight
In 1989, founders Glen Thomson and Gary Corippo attended an air show at Moffett Field and envisioned bringing that same passion for preserving aviation history to Paso Robles. Just months later, the CAF Estrella Squadron was established with 43 dedicated volunteers and aviation enthusiasts, named after the historic Estrella Army Airfield where the museum now stands.
Their goal was simple: preserve history by sharing it with the public.
Building a Museum
The Estrella Warbirds Museum was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1993 and soon secured a lease on a small parcel of undeveloped airport property. Volunteers transformed raw land into the museum’s first exhibit building and began hosting annual air shows that attracted thousands of visitors while raising awareness of military history and aviation heritage.
As interest grew, so did the museum. Additional land was acquired, new buildings were constructed, and the organization evolved into an independent museum dedicated to education, restoration, and preservation.
Growing Through Community Support
Every major expansion has been made possible through the generosity of donors, members, volunteers, and community partners.
Over the years, the museum added:
- Thomson Membership Hall, providing gathering space, a commercial kitchen, and research facilities.
- Freedom Hall, showcasing military artifacts and educational exhibits.
- The Brooks Building, preserving restored military vehicles and historic equipment.
- The Hind Pavilion, creating a welcoming entrance connecting the museum’s growing collections.
- The Woodland Auto Display, a nationally recognized collection of vintage, classic, and historic racing automobiles that has expanded four times since opening in 2009.
- The Red Ball Express Motor Pool, featuring an impressive collection of restored World War II military vehicles honoring the legendary Red Ball Express supply system.
Signature Events
The museum quickly became known for bringing history to life through special events.
Its annual Warbirds Wings & Wheels celebration combined historic aircraft, military vehicles, classic automobiles, educational displays, and family activities, drawing enthusiasts from across the western United States. The annual event format was changed in 2025 to Salute to Our Heroes, an event that, while still includes a car show and focus on the Woodland Auto Display, is more military themed, held on Veterans Day weekend to focus on the contributions of our military and first responders to the safety and welfare of our nation.
Even during the challenges of the 2020 pandemic, volunteers continued restoring aircraft and military vehicles, ensuring that preservation efforts never stopped.
Continuing to Grow
Expansion has remained a constant part of the museum’s story. Additional acreage, improved facilities, expanded exhibit space, and new educational resources have transformed Estrella Warbirds Museum into a destination that spans more than thirty acres and continues to evolve.
The latest milestone came in 2026 with the official opening of the expanded Pfauter Red Ball Express Building and the renovated Hangar One, creating even more opportunities to preserve and display historic aircraft, military vehicles, and artifacts.
More Than a Museum
Today, Estrella Warbirds Museum is much more than a collection of aircraft and vehicles. It is a place where veterans share their experiences, volunteers restore history by hand, families discover the sacrifices that secured our freedom, and future generations are inspired by stories of courage, innovation, and service.
Every exhibit, every restoration project, and every artifact serves a single purpose:
To preserve the past, honor those who served, and inspire future generations to understand the cost of freedom.