Estrella WarBirds Museum

Glen Thomson
Estrella Warbirds Museum Founder
1930 - 2010

Friday evening, January 8th, 2010, Glen 'Gator' Thomson took his final flight and left the world, as we know it, far behind.

Glen was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan where he lived until graduating from Michigan State Normal College with a Bachelors in Recreation. He moved on to do his graduate studies at UCLA and Long Beach State where he received his Masters in Education.

Although Glen wanted to serve his country in the military, a previous knee injury prevented him from being accepted for military service. He began his working career, first with the Laguna Hills Boys Club, and then as a teacher for Manhattan Beach High School. Glen also spent time as a Real Estate agent while earning his Contractor's Licence for construction work.

At the age of 30, Glen found his passion in aviation when he received his initial pilot's license. He flew his first solo flight after only 9 hours of instruction. His love of flight led to a career with Western Airlines where he served as a Flight Simulator Instructor for Western Airlines pilots.

Glen and his wife Betsy, first purchased property in Paso Robles in 1970 but did not move there full time until four years later. Glen and Betsy established the first commercial pistachio ranch in San Luis Obispo County.

Glen Thomson, along with Gary Corippo had a dream of building an aviation museum in Paso Robles. The two were very instrumental in founding the Estrella Squadron of the Confederate Air Force. Feeling compelled to do more for the community they became the initial founders of the Estrella Warbirds Museum. Last September, Glen helped celebrate the Museum's Twentieth Anniversary.

Glen Thomson was very instrumental in helping to build the museum, and will be sorely missed. His expertise in construction, aviation, power plant maintenance and his willingness to sacrifice both physically and financially, played a key roll in the success of the museum. Several years ago, Glen founded The Gooney Bird Corporation, which had a sole goal of obtaining and restoring a Douglas C-47. He realized that goal at the museum when he recently received license from the FAA to bring the C-47B "Betsy's Biscuit Bomber" to full flight status.

A Celebration of Life honoring Glen Thomson was held Saturday, January 16th, at 2 p.m. in Thomson Hall, Estrella Warbirds Museum, 4251 Dry Creek Road, Paso Robles, California. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in Glen's name be made to the Estrella Warbirds Museum or the charity of your choice.

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Thank you Glen for all that you did for me and for the museum, you were a mentor for me and a good friend to all. Betsy, thank you for sharing Glen with me, the museum and its members. He had so much love for all of us. My association with Glen and the museum was a very special period in my life. I have wonderful memories of so many good times at the museum and the friendships that were developed. Glen developed my interest in flying and kept me involved with periodic flights in his various planes, especially the S-2. I am sure that Glen is circling overhead, looking down at us and smiling with love and approval.

John Himes

1-13-2010. I wanted to offer my condolences about Glen Tompson. I realize that this point in time can not be easy for the museum. I did not know Glen very long. In fact I had only met him about six months ago but there was in this time one thing I came to know for sure about Glen, he was a great man, a hero to his country. Glen was a true patriot who will never be forgotten, for in his many wonderous exciting years at the Estrella War Birds Museum he created for himself a lasting legecy of generosity, knowledge, and above a dedication to our cause that allowed us to become what we are and who we are not just as museum but rather as people as well.

Rest in peace, Glen. Your toils and struggles are over.
You can rest in the arms of your god.
Blake Campbell-Taylor

I remember one day in perticular. My father, Arnold Hermansen and I were at the museum helping out around the grounds while Glen was doing a pre-flight on his beloved S-2 tracker when he unexpectedly asked my dad and I if we wanted to go up with him. Without hesitation, we both said yes. We climbed on inside the aircraft and he asked me if I would like to be his co-pilot. I have never been so excited to do so. Well he fired the engines up and we taxied the plane out. We hit the runway and away we went. We were so happy and I couldn't thank Glen enough for taken us up. I will never forget that day for the rest of my life.

Thank you Glen
God Bless You and Rest in Peace
Kevin Hermansen.