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.
Mustang Coming At You
P-51 Mustang “Bunny” landing after Memorial Day 2023 flyovers at the airport in Palm Springs.
P-51 Mustang Landing
“Bunny” a P-51 Mustang landing after Memorial Day 2023 flyovers at the airport in Palm Springs.
P-51 Mustang Engine Run
An after maintenance engine run on the P-51 Mustang “Man O’War” at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Flying Over Snow In A Mustang
Riders in the Palm Springs Air Museum aircraft yesterday had a spectacular view of the snow covered Jan Jacinto Mountains. This is the P-51 Mustang “Bunny”.
Bunny
“Bunny” the P-51 Mustang from the Palm Springs Air Museum going out on a ride flight. The last flight for today before bad weather coming in.
Bunny Takeoff
“Bunny” the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang dedicated to Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Bob Friend in takeoff. Pilot Tom Nightingale.
Flying Yesterday
Some of the flying yesterday at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The P-51D Mustang “Man O’ War”, the C-47 Skytrain “What’s Up Doc?” and a PT-17 Stearman that was owned by Barron Hilton.
Our Reno Racers
At the Reno Air Races a couple of weeks ago. Our Palm Springs Air Museum three aircraft returning from a heat race. P-51 Mustang “Man O’ War”, P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly”, and the P-51 Mustang “Bunny”.
Heritage Flight
At the Reno Air Races 2022, a Heritage Flight with a United States Air Force F-22 Raptor and a World War II P-51 Mustang.
On Bunny
That’s me installing a GoPro inside the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny” at the Reno Air Races 2022. Photo courtesy of my friend Ian Glover (yes same first name).
Returning From The Reno Air Races
Returning this past Monday from the Reno Air Races 2022 to the Palm Springs Air Museum. The P-51 Mustang “Man O’ War” and the P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly”. I was in the P-51 Mustang “Bunny”. All three raced at Reno.
Flyover Dedication
Two T-6 Texan aircraft doing a flyover for the dedication of a United States Post Office honoring Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Robert Friend. Along with these aircraft I was in the Red Tail P-51 Mustang “Bunny” shooting photographs. “Bunny” is in the livery of the Colonel’s Mustang that he flew in World War II. The flyover from the Palm Springs Air Museum. The story of the day in the Orange County Register newspaper at this link… https://tinyurl.com/2p8cesfj
Ride Flights
Palm Springs Air Museum ride flights over the weekend. A T-6 “Texan” trainer and the P-51 Mustang “Bunny”.
July 4 Weekend Flyovers
Flyovers for the July 4th weekend with the Palm Springs Air Museum. I went on one of them for the Independence Day celebration at Lake Arrowhead. On the return we flew over Big Bear Lake and Airport. For the other flyovers I ran the ground operations and shot some photos.
The Bunny Next Door
From the Palm Springs Air Museum; the P-51 Mustang “Bunny” going out for a flyover and I was in the Museum T-28b next to it.
Watching Airshows
This is a good view for watching an airshow. The P-51 Mustang “Bunny” from the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Man O’War Visit And New Home
The P-51 Mustang Man O’War in 2016 visiting the Palm Springs Air Museum. Now it makes it’s home here at the Museum for flights. And we raced it last year at the Reno Air Races.
Mustang Passing On The Right
Doing a flyover with the P-51D Mustang “Bunny” from the Palm Springs Air Museum. I was in a T-28B Trojan also from the Museum.
Facing Off A Mustang
Today, yet again, I faced off a P-51 Mustang and forced it into submission. At the Palm Springs Air Museum.
P-51 Mustangs Flying Back From Reno
Two weeks ago today, flying back from the Reno Air Races 2021 in the P-51 Mustang “Spam Can” with “Wee Willy II” alongside. They placed 3rd and 4th in the Unlimited Silver finals.
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