Get ready for a day of fun, thrills, and “Living History.” This year’s “Wings, Tracks, and Wheels” is shaping up to be our biggest and best yet! Get your tickets now for Saturday, May 3rd or Sunday, May 4th (or both!)
We’re saluting our military heritage with this two-day festival and we’ve got a great assortment of attractions and activities for everyone! Join us as we pay tribute to the courageous soldiers, Marines, sailors, and airmen of the First World War, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Doors to “Wings, Tracks, and Wheels” open at 9:00am and the event ends at 5:00pm.
We’ve got three flying demos each day featuring multiple aircraft taking to the skies.
See the aircraft in which America’s pilots and aviators of World War II learned their mastery of the sky. We’re putting a Stearman PT-17 'Kaydet', Vultee BT-13 'Valiant' and a North American AT-6/SNJ 'Texan' in the air as a tribute to the 200,000 pilots who earned their wings during World War II flying for the U.S. Army Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps.
In this demo flight, we’re flying the Museum’s Grumman F8F 'Bearcat', Douglas SBD 'Dauntless', and General Motors TBM-3E 'Avenger' in the air as a tribute to Naval and Marine Corps aviation of World War II.
In this demo flight, we’re flying the Museum’s Curtiss P-40 “Warhawk,” the North American P-51D “Mustang,” the Lockheed P-38J 'Lightning' and the North American B-25J 'Mitchell' to honor those brave pilots of the Army of World War II.
This year we’ve got a huge assortment of military vehicles joining us in an incredible display. This includes jeeps, trucks, half-tracks, and more from the First World War, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and even Operation Desert Storm.
A special “Parade of Jeep History” demonstration will showcase this remarkable utility vehicle. You’ll see the amazing evolution these vehicles experience as they moved our ground troops throughout the conflicts of the 20th Century.
A huge part of “Wings, Tracks, and Wheels” is our military encampment where historical re-enactors recreate how our soldiers lived in the field. This year’s encampment promises to be our largest yet. Stroll through our “tent city,” see a combat field hospital, a field mess kitchen, and more. Meet and talk with historical re-enactors and learn about the gear and other equipment they utilized. The encampment is a great photo-op for kids of all ages.
Here’s your chance to experience history with a flight in a World War II-era aircraft. We’re excited to be joined by the Cal-Aerofab Flight Academy and the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) to offer rides in several warbirds from the past. You can book a flight in one of the Museum's North American P-51D “Mustangs,” a Douglas C-53 "Skytrooper", a North American T-6 “Texan,” a Stearman PT-17 “Kaydet,” or a Piper L-4 “Cub” (prices vary by aircraft). Rides are offered both days of “Wings, Tracks, and Wheels” or you can book a ride for a future date.
We’re excited to have the multi-talented female sensation, “The Satin Dollz” return for another fantastic tribute to the songs of the 1940s. In an engaging show reminiscent of the music that helped America muster through the rough times of World War II, you’ll appreciate the beautiful harmonies of this talented singing trio as they present their their “Swingtime Serenade.”.
Get your free ear plugs ready as we fire up the Museum’s V-1 Pulse Jet engine for this powerful demo. The V-1 was a secret terror weapon of Germany during World War II. This captured engine has been restored by the Planes of Fame volunteers and we’ll start it up so everyone can hear the sound that tormented southern England in late 1944.
This May marks the 80th anniversary of the end of hostilities in the European Theater of World War II. In addition to our Opening Ceremony to “Wings, Tracks, and Wheels,” “Hangar Talk” will focus on the events that led up to the end of the fighting and the impact that the war in Europe had on world history.
Great news – the SOCAL RC Tank Club is back again with their assortment of radio-controlled tanks. Watch as these tiny tanks do battle with one another using advanced infrared technology to determine hits.
After a brief instruction, guests can take the controls of a tank and maneuver it throughout the village course – but be on the lookout for enemy tanks who might attack at any moment!
Here’s a chance to see history up-close. We are proud to have this display of historical artifacts so visitors to “Wings, Tracks, and Wheels” can pay tribute to the brave men and women of our military services.
We’ve got our Kid’s Zone back featuring an inflatable Obstacle Course plus several hands-on activities for our younger visitors. Kids will learn about basic aviation principles and aircraft construction through these fun activities.
The Museum’s Model Room is once again conducting multiple Model Workshops (limited seats are available plus a nominal charge). Kids can learn about scale model building and will get to take home their very own model built during each workshop (limit one workshop per child).
We’ve got a number of outstanding food options plus our Beer Garden is back. There’s snacks and soft drinks too.
Once again, we’re firing up our World War II-era Sherman Tank for an exciting showcase of this 30-ton monster. Our tank crew will put the Sherman through its paces and demonstrate its turning abilities and sheer power to crush any object. But the big thrill will be when it fires that 75mm cannon! Something you won’t want to miss!
Learn How to Rivet. Explore the over 100 aircraft on display. Plenty of photo opportunities. All of this and more awaits at this year’s “Wings, Tracks, and Wheels.” Get Your Early Bird Tickets Today! A special note to Museum Members – your membership gets you in free, but you must redeem your tickets by clicking on the link above.
And remember, guests to “Wings, Tracks, and Wheels” are encouraged to come dressed in period attire of the 1940s (nothing risqué, offensive, or inappropriate) to feel a part of the event.
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