Five Warbirds, One Mission – Memorial Day 2025
Five historic aircraft filled the skies over Palm Springs during the 2025 Memorial Day program at the Palm Springs Air Museum—each representing a different chapter of American aviation history and military service. My photographs of these aircraft in flight capture not only their striking forms against the desert backdrop but also the enduring legacy they carry.
The lineup included:
– C-47 “What’s Up Doc?” – A D-Day veteran honoring airborne operations and troop transport.
– P-51 Mustang “Bunny” – Flown in tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and their place in aviation history.
– P4Y-2G Super Privateer – The last flying example of this rare patrol bomber, once used by the Navy.
– PBJ (Navy B-25 Mitchell) – A Navy-modified medium bomber that served in the Pacific theater.
– T-28 Trojan N372C – A Cold War-era trainer that transitioned into combat roles in Southeast Asia.
Each aircraft flew as part of the museum’s commemorative program, honoring those who served and sacrificed in conflicts from World War II through the Vietnam War.
I’m especially pleased that five of these images were featured yesterday in the “BREAKING NEWS from LAST 24 HOURS” section on ZUMA Press, a strong acknowledgment of the visual and historical power of these aircraft in flight.
B-29 “Doc” Over Palm Springs
The B-29 Superfortress *Doc* made its approach into Palm Springs today, and I was there to photograph this rare and powerful sight. One of only two airworthy B-29s in the world, *Doc* is a flying piece of World War II history—its polished aluminum body and four roaring radial engines unmistakable against the desert sky.
Originally built in 1944 and fully restored after years in storage, “Doc” represents an era of engineering and aviation that shaped the course of history. Watching it on approach, gear down and props spinning, was a striking reminder of the aircraft’s legacy and the people who flew them.
What Was That Helicopter Over Palm Springs?
That helicopter flying low and in straight lines over Palm Springs last Saturday? It wasn’t spying, spraying, or part of a secret mission. It was N121LP, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger equipped with a stabilized aerial survey system—likely LiDAR or high-resolution photogrammetry. These kinds of flights are routine for mapping terrain, inspecting infrastructure, or documenting utility corridors.
Plenty of curiosity (and a few conspiracy theories) circulated, but it’s just data collection from above. I photographed it while it worked its grid over the city. But where are those Chemtrails!
Aerial Survey Over Palm Springs: Bell 206-L4 with Sharper Shape Imaging System
On Saturday, many people in Palm Springs noticed a Bell 206-L4 helicopter circling the area. I took the opportunity to photograph the aircraft mid-flight and identified it as N295SJ, a privately owned helicopter equipped with a Sharper Shape Heliscope 2.0—a specialized aerial imaging system used for infrastructure inspections, power line surveys, and vegetation management.
This particular helicopter is owned by Premier Rotors LLC, a company known for providing aerial services for utility companies, infrastructure monitoring, and environmental assessments. The presence of the Heliscope 2.0 system suggests that the flight was part of a detailed survey, likely scanning power lines, roads, or other infrastructure components that require regular maintenance checks from above.
Aerial surveys like these play an essential role in detecting potential hazards, identifying vegetation encroachment, and ensuring infrastructure integrity, helping companies and local governments maintain large-scale networks efficiently. These flights are common across urban and rural landscapes, providing critical data that would be difficult to gather from the ground.
If you spotted this helicopter in the skies over Palm Springs, now you know what was happening.
Flyover for Buzz Lynch
Yesterday returning from the memorial flyover for Buzz Lynch, the P-51 Mustang “Bunny”, the P-51 Mustang “Man-O-War” and a T-28 Trojan. They were accompanied by two A-10 Thunderbolts from Davis-Mothan Airbase in Tucson Arizona.
George Patrick “Buzz” Lynch, Jr. passed away at age 89 on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Rancho Mirage, CA, with his wife, Maxine Lundt, by his side. Buzz had a remarkable career in the United States Air Force, where he logged approximately 6,000 flight hours and flew 34 different aircraft.
A West Point graduate, Buzz began his Air Force career in 1956, quickly excelling as a pilot. He flew F-100s with the 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron and later earned a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering before attending the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School. Buzz completed a combat tour in Vietnam, where he served as a Flight Commander flying F-4 Phantoms. He later led test missions for the F-4 and YA-10, including the first USAF flight of the YA-10, playing a key role in the aircraft’s development. His leadership continued at the Air War College, where he graduated as a Distinguished Graduate, and he capped off his career with significant roles in systems testing at Nellis AFB and Wright-Patterson AFB. His awards included the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
In recognition of his contributions, two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft performed a memorial flyover today in Palm Springs, California, flying in formation to honor his decades of service and dedication to aviation. September 28, 2024
National Aviation Day
It is National Aviation Day, August 19th. Established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. While I wasn’t around back then (lol), at 9 years old, I was already building model airplanes and hanging them from my bedroom ceiling. Fast forward, and I’ve had the incredible opportunity to fly in all kinds of World War II warbirds, biplanes, a jet fighter trainer, and both military and civilian helicopters. Aviation has truly been an amazing part of my life journey!
Record Setting!
Since starting up the video section on my website on July 10th, I am amazed with it’s success. This is through 5:00pm today July 26th. Today set a new record of 2,756 views. My videos are indeed risqué going back to behind the scenes from my photoshoots. And I am starting to add in some of my aviation videos. If you want to take a look, go to my website at SecondFocus.com click on the Menu Bar at the top and go to Videos. I think they are great fun! Thanks!
Aerial Firefighters
Just Flying
This was always a fun thing to do. Flying right seat in the World War II C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”.
I Had No Idea Then
I shot these photographs at an airshow in 2004. About 12 or 13 years later I would be flying in both of them. Thank You Tom and Mark!
Landing From The North
Aircraft landing from the North have always been among my favorite for photographs in Palm Springs. The World War II C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”.
The New Reno Air Races?
Futuristic Flight Suit
Flying Lessons
I don’t want to say I first took flying lessons a long time ago; but this was my first Cessna flight manual.
Power Wash Your Super Stallion
Fokker
From my photo archives. An airshow in March 2004. The Fokker Triplane was a World War I fighter aircraft. It became famous as the aircraft in which Manfred von Richthofen gained his last 17 victories.
C-47 Overhead
Hellcat, Harriers And Hornets
If you had been at the Palm Springs Air Museum yesterday to see a flying Hellcat you would have had a lot more coming your way. The United States Navy F6F Hellcat was a carrier based plane that destroyed more enemy aircraft during WWII than any other Allied Naval Aircraft. A truly huge and impressive airplane that was plenty to see in flight all by itself. But extra added excitement at the Palm Springs Airport with United States Marine Harriers and United States Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets landing and departing during the day. A very unexpected air show! The Palm Springs Air Museum is a good place to be! 
One Of Only Three Zero’s Still Flying In The World
One of only three World War II Japanese Zero’s still flying in the entire world. In the skies over the Palm Springs Airport courtesy of the Palm Springs Air Museum earlier today. This Zero, owned and operated by the Commemorative Air Force, was delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Group #3. It originally had an air cooled rotary engine producing 1,130 hp and a top speed of 388 mph at almost 20,000 feet. In today’s flight demonstration you could easily see it’s nimble and powerful maneuverability. I also have video which I will post here in the next day or two. Very Fun! Here is the video I shot of the Zero starting up and heading out to taxi. https://vimeo.com/93085158
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