2019 May Paso Robles Magazine

Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber, a WWII C-47 owned
by the Gooney Bird Group that is a featured display
at the museum,” Thayer said. “The aircraft is
participating in the 75th anniversary of D-Day
in Normandy this summer and will travel across
the U.S. and abroad in air shows and displays.”
See new aircraft onsite, dozens of military
planes and vehicles, vintage cars, tractors, and
more. The Woodland Auto Display recently expanded,
gaining an additional 3,700 square feet
for cars and memorabilia.
Fly an F/A-18 “Hornet” flight simulator, with
a 4K screen, or take photos of the kids on a tank,
a bumper car they can sit in, and a quarter-size
midget car inside Woodland Auto Display.
This year marks JB Dewar and The Tractor
Restoration Education Program’s first time
being part of Warbirds, Wings, and Wheels.
“We are extremely excited to have the opportunity
to display our tractors and see all of
the amazing features that are displayed at the
event,” said Rachel Dewar, Tractor Restoration
Education Program Coordinator. “We will have
a handful of tractors from past and current contestants
as well as their record books to display
all the hard work that goes into their projects.
We hope you get the chance to stop by and honor
our contestants on a job well done.”
Paso Robles native John Parker and his fellow
riders will thrill the crowd with the Stunt
Masters BMX Impact Show during three
20-minute performances.
“Our show is fast, action-packed fun but we
definitely leave the kids with a positive message,”
Parker said. “They’re going to take something away
from the show and we want it to be a good vibe.
We also talk about safety because we don’t want
the kids to go out and try any of these crazy stunts;
we want them to have fun without getting silly.
It’s mostly about getting out, doing things kids like
to do, and being the best at it they can be.”
The StuntMasters shows are interactive with
the entire crowd involved in these world-class
performances.
“We want to hear everyone yell, scream, and
get behind us, but we also do fun trivia quizzes
and get volunteers to name tricks for us,”
Parker said. “Come on out and interact with the
StuntMasters at the Warbirds Museum!”
Be sure to bring your earplugs for Cacklefest!
Get up close and personal with historic vintage
dragsters — many front-end with drive shaft detached
— and thrill to the cackle of their engines!
“It really is quite a thrill for people to see these
nostalgic dragsters,” said John Husmann of the
Throttle Merchants Car Club. “The majority
were raced in the early to mid-1960s and were
used in a lot of movies during that era.”
Referring to their appeal as, “taking a step
back in time,” Husmann said the excitement
surrounding the machines is truly contagious.
“Us gear heads really enjoy all the excitement
and the running of the cars,” he said. “Really, everyone
loves these!”
Among the many cars on display inside the
Woodland Auto Display and on the grounds will
be Bill Maropulos’ 1923 Model T, this year’s poster
car. A highly-modified hotrod, the shiny burgundy-maroon
vintage replica is an attention-getter.
“I drive this car almost daily, so it didn’t start
out as a competition car,” Maropulos said. “But,
I have to tell you, it’s so much fun to bring it out
to shows.”
Maropulos enjoys talking with people about
how he built his unique car. One of the biggest
draws, he said, is the engine; it’s not built in the
traditional manner but with many handmade,
one-off parts.
“I’m excited about bringing this to Paso Robles
and talking with people who appreciate what
goes into building an engine and a replica car,”
he said. “Car shows are great; there is something
for the whole family. Different cars appeal to different
people, so it’s fun to see all of the cars and
the reactions from everyone.”
A raffle for a Tour for Two to Jay Leno’s Garage
and an overnight stay at a hotel in Burbank
will be drawn at the awards ceremony. Tickets
will be available all day during the car show.
On the aviation side, WWW11 will have
some extra airplanes on static display including
two large firefighting planes from Cal Fire. In
addition, several privately owned vintage warbirds
will be onsite.
The Estrella Warbird Museum Plane Captains
will be in and around the aircraft displays to assist
and answer questions. Brad Eaton, an F-18
simulator instructor, displays his antique aircraft,
a Stearman PT-17, at the museum. He is a volunteer
advisor to the Estrella Warbird Museum
High School Aviation Club, promoting interest in
aviation vocations and conducting lunch clubs at
Paso Robles School and Templeton High School.
“Both form the Estrella High School Aviation
Club, which promotes motivation through field
trips, guest speakers, and community service,”
Eaton said.
New aviation displays at the museum include
a P-2V aircraft, now on permanent display next
to the C-47. After serving as a U.S. Navy sub
hunter, it was converted to a contract fire bomber.
“We also just received a beautifully restored
1936 42hp J-2 Piper Cub, which is currently in
our main hangar and will eventually be hung for
permanent display,” Eaton said.
In addition, the restoration department just
completed renovation of the museum’s Huey
helicopter which is now sitting with two other
restored helicopters on display.
With expanded parking, there is plenty of space
for visitors. Keeping the costs family-friendly, the
entrance fee per person includes free parking!
Be sure to bring your appetite and some cash
as there will be plenty of vendor offerings in the
food court. The popular Firestone Walker Brewing
Company Beer Garden returns and craft
vendors will be situated nearby.
“We gear the entire Warbirds, Wings, and
Wheels show for families,” Verstuyft said. “And
we like to get the younger generation involved
in the military history so they understand how
our freedoms come with a price. There are a lot
of things that have changed and happened over
the past few years because we are always growing
and expanding! For those who think they’ve seen
everything we have, I would encourage them to
come out and take another look.”
Estrella Warbirds Museum Hangar One
May 10 • 6 to 10 p.m.
Enjoy dinner and dance to the foot-stomping
tunes of Central Coast icon Monte
Mills and his Lucky Horseshoe Band.
$35/person
Limited to the first 250 ticket-buyers
8 and 10-person table discounts
Beer and wine available for purchase
RSVP to 805-286-5566 by midnight, May 7
or go to ewarbirds.org for more info
Monte will be back on Saturday to provide
live music during the car show!
Estrella Warbirds Museum
4251 Dry Creek Road, Paso Robles
Saturday, May 11 • 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*pre-registration required for swap
meet vendors; no drive-ups; no dogs
*museum buildings open at 10 a.m.
$5 suggested donation, free parking
and entrance to all museum displays
Kids 12-under & active duty military FREE
For more information, call 805-286-5566
or see ewarbirds.org
20 | The Story of Us May 2019