Although not my photographs this time, I am now helping with the Social Media for the Palm Springs Air Museum. In the future you will be seeing more of my photos and videos. So please take a moment and “Like” the Palm Springs Air Museum Facebook page. Thanks! https://www.facebook.com/palmspringsairmuseum
And here is today’s post for the great events at the Air Museum for tomorrow…
March 22, 1943: Technical Sgt. R.W. Greenwood, a Marine, sits in the cockpit of a Grumman Wildcat fighter plane, based at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, that is credited with shooting down 19 Japanese aircraft, as illustrated by the number of Japanese flags on his plane. Several different pilots have flown the ship during successful missions, but Sgt. Greenwood has remained plane captain. (AP Photo)
Wow! Big day tomorrow, Saturday April 8, here at the Air Museum!
Guadalcanal…. one of the words that we see or hear that instantly causes us to remember our World War II history and the fight in the Pacific. One of the heroes of Guadalcanal, described as stubby and unforgiving and tricky to fly, was the Grumman F4F Wildcat. With all of it’s downsides, the Wildcat’s rugged build, heavy armament and fast diving speed made it, in the hands of the Marine Corps pilots, an instrument of destruction against the attacking Japanese Zero’s.
You can sit in the cockpit of that hero Wildcat of Guadalcanal from 10:30 – 12:30 and check it out and let your imagination take flight. You can get your photo taken too! Now that is a selfie! And to help with your imagination, watch The History Channel Dogfights Episode “Guadalcanal” co-created by Air Museum friend Brooks Wachtel. It is really great… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8eOo3nnGuA
Did you know we had a “Cactus Air Force”? No that is not sipping Tequila at 30,000 feet on your way to Las Vegas in a 737. The “Cactus Air Force” was the name given to the airplanes, including the Wildcat, that fought on Guadalcanal. Only months after the devastation of Pearl Harbor, the United States was still well under prepared for major conflict. But in August 1942, the Marine Corps landed on Guadalcanal for the purpose of denying the Japanese the ability to threaten Allied supply and communications.
At 1:00 PM come hear the story of Guadalcanal and the “Cactus Air Force” presented by Aviation and Military Historian Michael Parra. A United States Marine and thirty year law enforcement officer, pilot and helicopter pilot, Michael Parra was also a consultant on the Warner Brothers motion picture “Memphis Belle”. Not to be missed!
Still more and maybe the best for last! Following the presentation, be on the tarmac around 2:00 – 2:30 for a flight demonstration. If you asked any bunch of aviation enthusiasts what their favorite airplane would be, way at the top of the list would be the F4U Corsair. You will be seeing a Corsair take to the air! Capable of carrying incredible armament and a top speed of 446 mph, the Corsair was also a motion picture hero in “Flying Leathernecks” with John Wayne, and the movie and television series “Baa Baa Black Sheep”. Seeing a Corsair fly right in front of you… Very Cool!
Much to do! And making it easier to stay the day, get some good food in the Freedom Cafe. Then take home a souvenir, a cap, a cool t-shirt from the Museum gift shop!
So come on by, Saturday April 8th! You will love it!!
SecondFocus Blog 