| Minter Field Air Museum |
Avg. visitor rating:  (196 visitors) |
Exhibits | Reviews | Links |
|
 |
Statement of Purpose:
To
commemorate and document the role of aviation in
the lives of the people of Kern County and
Southern San Joaquin Valley.
Highlights & Collections:
The
Museum is housed in the original fire station
built at Minter Field in 1941. The base was a major basic training facility
where 11,261 pilots received basic training in
BT-13's (Vultee Valiant), UC-78's (Cessna Bamboo
Bomber), and other aircraft.
Minter Field is a center for aircraft restoration,
with several shops that specialize in WWII
aircraft. Pep Duffy's Bird's Nest specializes in
Boeing Stearman and Fairchild trainers.
Warbirds Unlimited is home to 6 time Reno Air Race
Unlimited Champion Bill "Tiger" Destefani and his
modified P-51 Mustang "Strega", and has restored
such aircraft as P-51 Mustangs, British Spitfire,
P-47 Thunderbolt, and Yak-3.
Minter Field also is home to 8 time Reno AT-6
Class Champion, Eddie Van Fossen and his "Miss
T-N-T". P-51 racer Huntress III is also hangared
here.
The Museum houses many artifacts, pictures,
uniforms, aviation headgear, radio gear, Snap
Roll Newsletters, Class books (Echelons), and
many models. Other items include a Norden
bombsite, Congressional Medals of Honor from each
service, and medals from the AVG.
We are currently restoring 3 Minter Field era
aircraft including a BT-13 Vultee Valiant, L-3B
Aeronca Grasshopper, and a T-50 (UC-78) Cessna
Bobcat (Bamboo Bomber). We are also restoring a
Link Trainer to operational status.
We also have a 1939 Plymouth staff car,two period
"Follow-Me" jeeps, and WWII-era fire and fuel
trucks.
Other aircraft on the field include 2 P-51
Mustangs, an AT-6 Texan, PT-13, PT-17 and N2S3
Stearmans, a Fleet PT-26 Cornel, Fairchild 24, a
Ryan PT-22, a Taylorcraft L-2, 2 Stinson L-5
Sentinels, as well as several helicopters.
The Museum has a Gift Shop offering commemorative
items from hats and T-shirts, to pins and custom
pewter belt buckles. Check the website for more
items and a catalog.
Major
Research Fields:
We are a
repository for information regarding Minter Field
Operations and Personnel. We also have many
resources regarding WWII events.
Exhibits & Special Events:
For 16 years (1982-1997), the Museum
sponsored world-class Warbirds in Action
Air Shows
ú Due to the high cost of air shows
and our current renovation and construction
projects, the Warbirds In Action Air Shows have
been put on hiatus.
ú You may see hilights of recent air
shows on our website,
www.MinterFieldAirMuseum.com
ú We hope to have other smaller events
in coming months. Check the Museum phone message
for details.
Hours:
ú
Open Saturdays from
10AM - 2PM
ú Other days by appointment.
ú Leave a message and we will
respond.
Admission & Directions:
ú
Museum admission and
Parking is Free! Donations are accepted.
ú 12 Miles North of Bakersfield on
Highway 99, exit Lerdo Highway, then one mile
West.
Key
Personnel:
ú Board Chairman: John Bogacki
ú Vice-Chairman: Maj. Gen James
Whitehead, USAF Ret.
ú Curator: Dr. David Day
ú Public Relations: Dean Craun
mfam@MinterFieldAirMuseum.com
Reviews / Comments by our visitors
| tatil ice istanbul, Arizona |  http://www.tatilice.com erken rezervasyon konularýnda hizmet 09/13/2012 @ 12:50 [ref: 55284] |
| beautypretty New York, California | A very strong website baidu that can find all kinds of information. Put short word here and derive related message. 09/11/2012 @ 19:31 [ref: 55281] |
| Dean Craun Bakersfield, California | Mr.Daniels obviously didn't take the time to go inside and see the displays in the Museum or talk to any of the staff. The artifacts in the bullpen are waiting for renovation. There is a small group of dedicated volunteers who work all year long on Museum projects, including putting on a world class warbirds air show. Come join us instead of throwing stones. We've got plenty to do. Vist the website: www.minterfieldairmuseum.com 11/24/2007 @ 12:19 [ref: 6526] |
| Jeff Daniells Bakersfield, California |  Sad display of static aircraft slowly going down hill.John Wayne "Jet Pilot" movie prop rotting away, H-34 helicopter sitting in pieces,dirty faded T-33 and Impala Jet sinking in the dirt.Group more focused on fire trucks and hot rod aircraft tugs than what people are really interested in. The focus should be on what's in the yard. Museum has some neat artifacts, but knowbody seems to care. 05/13/2007 @ 16:43 [ref: 5920] |
| RON WHITE Bakersfield, California | WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR? WHERE WERE THE 75 PLANES THAT WERE ADVERTISED? I COUNTED ABOUT 35 MAYBE. I TALKED TO A LOT OF OTHERS THAT FELT AS THOUGH THEY WERE MIS-LED YOU MIGHT SAY! OR LIED TO! CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT BUT THIS YEAR THE SHOW REALLY DID SUCK!!! ON A BRIGHTER NOTE IT CAN ONLY GET BETTER IN THE FUTURE, RIGHT??? 04/22/2007 @ 08:53 [ref: 5857] |
| 12523 , Alabama | 12/14/2006 @ 14:28 [ref: 5495] |
| ktmdude , California | the best i like that they have a lot of planes at the air shows. 11/08/2005 @ 20:52 [ref: 4570] |
| Dean Craun Shafter, California | 20th Warbirds In Action Air Show scheduled for May 14th, 2005. Details on website: www.minterfieldairmuseum.com 04/11/2005 @ 11:40 [ref: 3973] |
| J. Whitehead BAKERSFIELD, California | An update on your displayed information. Museum hours. Fri & Sat 10:00AM - 4:00 PM Sun 1:00 - 5:00PM All other times by appointment. call museum Don Westphal - 661- Chairman of the Board James T. Whitehead Jr. M/Gen USAF (Ret Vice Chairman Dean Craun) 06/12/2004 @ 19:45 [ref: 3205] |
| Dean Craun Shafter, California | The Museum will hold it's 19th Warbirds In Action Air Show on Saturday, May 8th 2004. Our theme is the Planes That Flew The Pacific. We're expecting nearly 100 aircraft: warbirds-fighters, bombers,cargo,trainers,L-birds,jets, and helicopters. For more information about the Museum, see our website as www.minterfieldairmuseum.com We're open Friday&Sat from 10-2,&Sun from 1-5P. Or make an appointment for a special day to visit. Ph: 661-393-0291; e-mail: mfam@minterfieldairmuseum.com 03/10/2004 @ 20:35 [ref: 3007] |
External pages about this museum
| http://www.minterfieldairmuseum.com |
Last updated: 02/14/00.
Send corrections/additions by e-mail to museum-info@brooklyn.cuny.edu