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.
Just Flying
This was always a fun thing to do. Flying right seat in the World War II C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”.
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?”.
C-47 Wing Walking
Not actually, but the view from the wing, shooting with a GoPro. The World War II D-Day C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”. For the Palm Springs Air Museum.
My Rotating Beacon Hat Works!
Fly In A C-47
This was just decided yesterday afternoon. So to all my friends you are getting the flight news first…
This Saturday, Nov 25 at the Palm Springs Air Museum there will be flights available on our World War II D-Day C-47 paratrooper aircraft “What’s Up Doc?”! Truly a favorite!
Starting at 10am and hourly as we will fill the seats until last flight at 1pm. Great fun and only $195 per person! Please call in at 760-778-6262 ahead of time to reserve your flight esepcially for the first at 10am Saturday. After that call or please come on in as early as you can. Again call 760-778-6262 and Thanks! You will love it!
And yes I shot this video 🙂
War Bird Flyover
Shooting video from the backseat of the Palm Springs Air Museum T-28 Trojan. Very Fun!
On the way last Saturday morning for a flyover at Veterans Memorial Park in Coachella. Our C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”, our P-51 Mustang “Bunny” and from the Commemorative Air Force in Camarillo, an F6F Hellcat.
Lots more flying coming up at the Air Museum on Veterans Day Nov 11th and for the Craft Beer Festival “Props & Hops” on Nov 18th. Check it all out at the Museum Events page at https://goo.gl/oFKfQN
Radial Engine Concert
To many, the sound of radial engines is a concert! The other day at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Doing a run up on “What’s Up Doc?”, our World War II C-47. The props just came back from being balanced and re-installed. You just can’t get enough of those radial engines!
Lesley Zerebny Memorial Softball Game
The Palm Springs Air Museum was honored to have opened the Lesley Zerebny Memorial Softball Game at sunset last night, Sunday at Big League Dreams Sports Park with a flyby of our World War II C-47 “What’s Up Doc”. I was there to photograph the moment.
The annual Police and Firefighters game was renamed to honor the two fallen Palm Springs Police Officers from last year, Lesley Zerebny and Jose Gilbert Vega, with the proceeds going to the Palm Springs Police Officer’s Memorial Fund. We are very Thankful to have been there to pay our respects.
‘What’s Up Doc?”
The C-47 World War II Transport “What’s Up Doc?” doing some qualifying air time flying overhead yesterday. The tail section and wings are marked with the D-Day Invasion Stripes that identified Allied aircraft. Out of the Palm Springs Air Museum and on the way to the Air Show in El Centro California for this coming weekend.
