Estrella Warbirds Museum
Celebrating 30 Years!

Proud to be home of the

Woodland Auto Display

HOURS:
Thur., Fri., Sat., Sun. &
Legal Monday Holidays:
President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day:
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

ADMISSION:
Pricing and Special Group Tours (Minimum of 10 or more): Full Information Here



805 238-9317

4251 Dry Creek Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446

Thomas Akers

Thomas Akers
Entrepeneur,
Arerospace Engineer

June Dinner

Thomas Akers is an entrepreneur and aerospace engineer who has specializes in the development of unmanned aircraft and weapon systems for military missions. Currently, Thomas leads a team of 35 engineers, technicians, and support staff at Zone 5 Technologies developing innovative aircraft which support our servicemen and women around the world. Zone 5 currently supports multiple government customers including the Special Operations Command, Air Force Research Lab, Navy Air Warfare Center-Weapons Directorate, and Air Force Special Operations Command.

Thomas moved to the Central Coast in 1997 to attend Cal Poly and he has called the San Luis Obispo area home ever since. He is a current Tempelton resident with his amazing wife Jen and his daughter Kayden.

In April of this year, Thomas kicked off the Estrella Warbirds Youth STEM group and is wrapped up the pilot phase in May. The STEM group is focused on creating a challenging and rewarding environment for youth in 8th through 12th grades to pursue STEM in the context of aviation and aerospace.

Thomas will be speaking about his experiences in aerospace and unmanned systems and the EWM STEM group.


Youth Career Day, March 18th 2023

Youth Aviation Career Day, 2023
Youth Aviation Career Day, 2023
Youth Aviation Career Day, 2023
Youth Aviation Career Day, 2023
Youth Aviation Career Day, 2023
Youth Aviation Career Day, 2023

Here are some pictures of the EWM Youth Group Career Day on March 18th. Special thanks to Brad Eaton and Mary Allmon for putting this together. Activities included speakers: F-18 pilot, ACI-Cuesta Aviation Maintenance Technician program coordinator and former Blue Angels Lead Pilot, C-5 pilot and Delta Airlines Captan, PHD aerospace engineer & pilot, Cal Poly Aerospace Engineer and drone aerospace company founder, plus information regarding the Youth Aviation Club activities at Estrella Warbirds Museum. The action shot is Janice Nelson cutting pizza to help benefit the youth group activities. As you can see, the room was filled with supporters!

New From Woodland Auto Display

Ken Clapp Annex

We are making progress on the Ken Clapp Annex. Recently donated items include numerous race car driver, Johnny Boyd items.

Johnny was from Fresno, Calif and made his mark in Midget racing post WW II. This eventually led him to racing at the Indy 500 with his good friend, Bill Vukovich Sr.. Numerous items include his Bay Cities Racing Assn., BCRA, champion's ring, trophies, scrap books etc..

Another donation is the lifetime photo collection of prolific Southern California racing photographer, Earl Stubbs. This collection includes literally thousands of 35 mm negatives that cover most forms of auto racing at most of the tracks in Southern California from the 1970's until approx. 2010. These will be available to the public for scanning, copying etc.

Future plans call for rotating tributes to many who dedicated their passions to vintage racing, and the vehicles which played a major role is the history of automotive racing. The first two vehicles featured will be the 1937 Midget (Old Ironsides) driven by Bill Vukovich whose career took him all the way to the Indy 500, and #88, originally built by Art "Shorty" Scovil in 1930 and later updated in 1947. This Sprint Car (originally called "Big Cars") was raced over the years by numerous owners and drivers quite successfully at the various Northern California tracks. Of the many standout drivers, three progressed to compete at the Indianapolis 500!

1930 Big Car/Sprint Car #18
1930 Big Car/Sprint Car #18
1930 Big Car/Sprint Car #18
1930 Big Car/Sprint Car #18
1930 Big Car/Sprint Car #18