Commemorative Air Force

Nonprofit organization for preserving aircraft

Commemorative Air Force

Abbreviation| CAF
Formation| 6 September 1961 (1961-09-06)
Location|

* Dallas, Texas

Coordinates| 32°40′38″N 96°51′39″W﻿ / ﻿32.67722°N 96.86083°W﻿ / 32.67722; -96.86083
Membership| 13,000
Website| commemorativeairforce.org

Formerly called

| Confederate Air Force

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF), formerly known as the Confederate Air Force,[1] is an American non-profit organization based in Dallas, Texas, that preserves and shows historical aircraft at airshows, primarily in the U.S. and Canada.

The CAF has about 13,000 members, more than 70 chapters, and more than 170 aircraft,[2] including the world's largest collection of airworthy warbirds.[3]

## History

[edit]

The origin of the Commemorative Air Force is the organization called the "Confederate Air Corps" created by Oscar Harper in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1953.[4][failed verification] Led by the fictional character "Thaddeus P. Throckmorton" and his recruiting officer "Jethro Culpepper", the CAC established several features that later became key characteristics of the CAF: folksy, tongue-in-cheek southern humor; a membership structure based on each member having the equal rank of colonel; and a rallying cry of "Semper, Mint Julep" ("Always Mint Julep").

The P-51D "Red Nose" was the first airplane of the CAF.

In 1957, Lloyd Nolen and four friends purchased a P-51 Mustang called "Red Nose", splitting the $1,500 cost.[5][6] In 1958, the group made their second purchase: two Grumman F8F Bearcats[6] for $805 each. Along with the P-51, this gave the pilots two of the most-advanced piston-engine fighters to see service with the U.S. Army Air Forces and the United States Navy.

In 1960, the CAF began to seriously search for other World War II aircraft. The CAF colonels were shocked to find that the aircraft which played such a major role in winning World War II were being rapidly and systematically scrapped as obsolete with no efforts, not even by the Air Force or Navy, to preserve any for display for future generations. The warbirds that remained airworthy were mostly in private hands modified for air racing or had been converted for commercial use as air freighters and aerial firefighters.

On September 6, 1961, the CAF was chartered as a nonprofit Texas corporation to restore and preserve World War II-era combat aircraft.[7] By the end of the year, the CAF owned nine aircraft. By 1963, the group had achieved their initial goal of acquiring one of each fighter plane operated by U.S. forces during World War II.[6] They held their first airshow on March 10, 1963.[8]

The CAF added the B-29 FIFI in the 1970s.

In 1965, the first museum building was completed at old Rebel Field, Mercedes, Texas. The CAF created a new Rebel Field at Harlingen, Texas, and moved there in 1968,[6] occupying three large buildings including 26,000 square feet (2,400 m2) of museum space. By the end of the decade, the CAF fleet had added medium and heavy bombers such as the North American B-25 Mitchell, B-17, Consolidated B-24 Liberator. In 1971, they bought one of the two airworthy Boeing B-29 Superfortresses, FIFI.

In 1976, the CAF sponsored an air show in Harlingen, Texas in which a B-29 bomber piloted by Paul Tibbets, the pilot who flew the B-29 which bombed Hiroshima during World War II, reenacted the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (including a mock mushroom cloud). This air show prompted the Japanese government to lodge a formal complaint with the United States Embassy, resulting in the U.S. government issuing an apology.[9]

In 1983, the American Airpower Heritage Foundation was founded to financially support the CAF.[6]

The group's accomplishments were recognized in 1989 with a National Aviation Hall of Fame Spirit of Flight Award.[10] That year, Texas Governor William Clements signed a resolution designating the CAF the air force of Texas.[6]

In 1990, the CAF added two corporations.[6] The first was the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, tasked with obtaining and maintaining the CAF's aircraft titles. The second was the American Airpower Heritage Museum, which acquired and maintained the CAF's non-aircraft pieces and static displays.[6] In September 1990, CAF joined a statewide anti-littering campaign (Don't Mess With Texas), filming a low-level, high-speed pass of the B-17 Sentimental Journey on a mock bombing run of a highway-littering pickup truck, as part of a 30-second television spot.[11]

The CAF C-47 That's All, Brother was the plane that led the parachute assault on Normandy during D-Day.

In 1991, the CAF moved operations to Midland, Texas,[7] where the group opened the CAF Airpower Museum and the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame.

In April 2014, the CAF announced the move of their headquarters and all of the planes associated with the headquarters to Dallas Executive Airport in Dallas, Texas.[7][12][13] The museum and its artifacts (including the nose art collection) were moved to the new headquarters,[14] which it operates as the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center.

In 2015, the CAF acquired the C-47 That's All, Brother, the plane that led the parachute assault on Normandy during D-Day.[15][16]

### Accidents and incidents

[edit]

On September 28, 1995, a Martin B-26 Marauder operated by CAF crashed near Odessa, Texas, killing all five crew members.[17] The NTSB found that the pilot failed to maintain minimum airspeed.[18][19]

On April 14, 2001, the CAF pilot of a Fairchild PT-19A was killed in a crash shortly after takeoff at Midland International Airport; the plane's one passenger survived.[20] The NTSB cited the pilot's "failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall".[21]

On May 14, 2001, both CAF crew members aboard a Vultee BT-13A died in a crash southeast of Odessa, Texas.[22] The NTSB found that the pilot failed to maintain minimum airspeed.[23]

On June 16, 2005, a PT-26 Cornell operated by CAF crashed in Williamson, Georgia, killing both crew members.[18][24] The NTSB found that the pilot "attempted a takeoff with flaps extended."[25]

On November 12, 2022, during the Wings Over Dallas airshow, two planes owned and operated by CAF—a Bell P-63F and the Boeing B-17G Texas Raiders—suffered a mid-air collision that killed six people.[26]

## Membership

[edit]

As of 2020[update], the Commemorative Air Force had more than 13,000 members,[2] in more than 70 regional groups, called wings or detachments, in 27 states and five countries.[27] Several hundred members actively serve as pilots and flight and/or maintenance crew members committed to preserving American combat aviation heritage. The CAF is an all-volunteer organization, made up of members from all backgrounds. Membership is open to everyone age 18 or older, and cadet membership is available for those over 12 years of age. Although a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt group,[27][28] the CAF has received financial incentives from state and local governments to move to Dallas and operate in Midland.[29][30][31][32]

## Organization

[edit]

The American Airpower Heritage Group is the parent organization and is made up of four corporations:[33]

* The Commemorative Air Force, the membership association
* A foundation that controls the financial assets and endowment
* A museum that manages the non-flying artifacts
* A flying museum that operates the flying aircraft

## Name

[edit]

The original name, Confederate Air Force, alluding to the Confederate States of America, started as a joke about the organization's ragtag beginnings. As the collection of warbirds at Central Valley Airport in Mercedes, Texas, started to grow, one member painted the name on the side of the original North American P-51 Mustang Red Nose. The name stuck, and it grew to the point where the airport was renamed Rebel Field, all members were called "colonels" (a tradition which still remains), and it led to the creation of a fictitious leader named Colonel Jethro E. Culpepper. A blood chit written on the backs of flight suits and flight jackets stated, "This is a CAF aviator. If found lost or unconscious, please hide him from Yankees, revive with mint julep and assist him in returning to friendly territory. CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE."

T-6 Texan converted to resemble a Mitsubishi A6M Zero as flown by the Commemorative Air Force's Tora! Tora! Tora! group

In November 2000, the group voted to rename, using the initials "CAF" until a permanent name was selected.[1] Following a 2001 membership vote, the group changed its name to "Commemorative Air Force", effective January 1, 2002.[6] Many felt the name Confederate Air Force was confusing, did not accurately reflect the purpose of the organization, and was detrimental to fundraising efforts.[34] According to CAF chief of staff Ray Kinney, "In many people's minds, the word 'confederacy' brings up the image of slavery and discrimination. We, in no way, are associated with that kind of stuff. So, it gives us, in a way, a black eye."[35]

## Aircraft

[edit]

P-51C Mustang in Tuskegee Airmen markings B-24 "Diamond Lil" from the Commemorative Air Force collection. Airframe was returned to B-24A configuration in 2007.[36] The CAF B-17G Sentimental Journey tours annually from her base at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona.[37] T-6 Texan, named Nella, ready for take-off

As of 2022[update], the CAF owned 179 aircraft, a collection known as the CAF Ghost Squadron.[38] Its aircraft range from the small Stinson L-5 Sentinel and Ryan PT-22 to the giant Boeing B-29 Superfortress; the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress; and the Consolidated Liberator B Mk I/B-24A Liberator AM927. Many of the CAF aircraft are rare; the CAF operates one of only two flying examples of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, and the only remaining flightworthy Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. Others, such as the B-24/LB-30 Liberator; the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero; and the Douglas SBD Dauntless are one of only two or three of that type left flying today. The CAF also operates Axis and Warsaw Pact aircraft such as the MiG 17 Fresco C.

* Aeronca L-3E Defender LIL' Show Me
* Aeronca L-16A - Airbase Arizona
* Aichi D3A Val dive bomber replica (North American SNJ conversion)
* Beechcraft 18/C-45/SNB/JRB
* Beech AT-11 Kansan
* Beechcraft D-18S A-235 \- Airbase Arizona
* Beechcraft UC-45J Navigator "SoNoran Beauty" 51242 \- Central Texas Wing
* C-45 expeditor "Lil Raider"
* C-45 expeditor C/N: 67124
* C-45 expeditor "Spirit of West Texas"
* C-45 expeditor "Yellow Belly"
* C-45 expeditor "Bucket of Bolts"
* Beech T-34A Mentor (A-45)
* T-34 N6849C
* T-34 N802HV
* T-34 N687HV
* T-34 N88RM
* T-34 N5374W
* T-34 N6849C
* Bell P-39Q Airacobra 42-19597 \- Central Texas Wing
* Bell P-63
* Bell P-63A-6-BE Kingcobra 42-68941 \- Airbase Georgia
* Boeing-Stearman PT-17 Kaydet (USN N2S)
* Stearman N2S-4 c/n 75-4894 \- Airbase Arizona
* Stearman N2S c/n 75-8291 \- Utah Wing[39]
* Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
* Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey 44-83514 - Airbase Arizona
* Boeing B-29 Superfortress ''Fifi' 44-62070
* Cessna UC-94/C-165 (Airmaster)
* Cessna UC-78 Bobcat (RCAF Crane) 1632 \- Wright Stuff Squadron
* Cessna UC-78B Bobcat 43-32578 \- Jayhawk Wing
* Cessna T-37B '59-0383' gate guard at Highland Lakes Squadron
* Consolidated B-24A/LB-30/Liberator I/C-87 40-2366 Diamond Lil (ex-RAF AM927)
* Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina BuNo 64092 \- Lake Superior Squadron
* Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina BuNo 64097 \- Lake Superior Squadron
* Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando China Doll 44-78663 \- Southern California Wing
* Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (Kittyhawk and Tomahawk)
* Curtiss P-40N Warhawk c/n 29629 (ex-RCAF 867)
* Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver BuNo 83589 \- Cactus Squadron/West Texas Wing
* De Havilland DH-94 Moth Minor c/n N94DH \- Rio Grande Valley Wing
* de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk
* Douglas A-26/B-26 Invader
* Douglas A-26B-35-DL Invader Spirit of Waco 41-39427 \- CAF Invader Squadron
* Douglas A-26C-40-DT Invader Daisy Mae 44-35643 \- Sierra Hotel A-26 Group
* Douglas A-26C Invader Lady Liberty 41-39230 \- Lady Liberty Squadron
* Douglas B-23 Dragon on display at CAF Headquarters
* Douglas DC-3/C-47/C-53/R4D
* Douglas C-47 Skytrain That's All, Brother 42-92847 – Texas Wing
* Douglas C-53D-DO/DC-3A Skytrooper D-Day Doll 42-68830 \- Inland Empire Wing
* Douglas R4D-6/C-47J Skytrain Ready 4 Duty BuNo 50783 \- Dallas/Fort Worth Wing
* Douglas C-47 Skytrain "Old Number 30"
* Douglas C-47 Skytrain "Texas zephyr"
* AC-47 "Spooky"
* Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless BuNo 54532[40]
* ERCO Ercoupe
* Fairchild PT-19, PT-23 and PT-26
* Fairchild PT-19A - Southern California Wing
* Fairchild PT-19A 42-83435 \- Birmingham Escadrille
* Fairchild PT-23A-HO 42-49250 \- Southern California Wing
* Fairchild PT-26 - Wisconsin Wing
* Fairchild Cornell 42-65935 \- Highland Lakes Squadron
* Fairchild UC-61 Argus/Forwarder
* Fairchild F-12R46 Argus \- Southern California Wing
* Fairchild F-12R Argus - High Sky Wing (painted as J2K)
* Fleet 16B Finch c/n 383 \- Rio Grande Valley Wing
* Focke-Wulf Fw 44J Stieglitz RF+GJ \- Rio Grande Valley Wing
* Goodyear FG-1D Corsair 530 BuNo 92468 \- CAF Corsair Sponsor Group, Airbase Georgia
* Grumman AF-2S Guardian BuNo 126731 \- Airbase Arizona
* Grumman Avenger
* Grumman/General Motors TBM-3E Avenger BuNo 53353 \- Missouri Wing
* Grumman/General Motors TBM-3S Avenger BuNo 53503 \- Rocky Mountain Wing
* Grumman/General Motors TBM-3S Avenger BuNo 91426 \- National Capital Squadron
* Grumman/General Motors FM-2 Wildcat BuNo 86819 \- Airbase Arizona
* Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat Minsi III \- Southern California Wing
* Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat BuNo 122674 \- Southern California Wing
* Grumman S-2B Tracker BuNo 136404 \- Old Dominion Squadron (status unknown, crashed 2007)
* Hawker Sea Fury FB.10 c/n 41H-696792 (ex Royal Navy WJ288) - Memphis Squadron
* Interstate L-6 Grasshopper
* Lockheed C-60 Lodestar
* Lockheed Model 18-50 Lodestar c/n 18-2274 \- Hampton Roads, Virginia, painted as 255884
* Lockheed C-60 Lodestar Goodtime Gal 42-56005 c/n 18-2478 \- Houston Wing
* Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon
* Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
* McDonnell Douglas F-4N Phantom II BuNo 153016 \- Airbase Arizona
* Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun German liaison/trainer
* Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15UTI 012 \- Airbase Arizona
* Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15bis 4415 \- Airbase Arizona
* Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 \- Airbase Arizona
* Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PF Fishbed-D 507 \- Airbase Arizona
* Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 22 "Zero" Japanese carrier fighter - Southern California Wing
* Mitsubishi "Zero" fighter replica (North American Harvard conversion)
* Morane-Saulnier MS-502 painted as Fieseler Fi 156 Storch s/n 361 \- Delaware Valley Wing
* Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bomber replica (Vultee BT-13 Valiant conversion)
* Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 - West Houston Squadron
* Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 N4009A \- High Sierra Squadron
* North American AT-6 Texan (USN SNJ, RAF Harvard, various models)
* North American Harvard II c/n 81-4099 \- Inland Empire Wing
* North American SNJ-4 Texan c/n 88-13041 \- Buffalo Heritage Squadron
* North American SNJ-4 Texan c/n 88-13517 \- Highland Lakes Squadron
* North American SNJ-4 Texan c/n 88-10177 \- Southern California Wing
* North American SNJ-5 Texan c/n 88-16676/42-84895/BuNo 84865 \- Southern California Wing
* North American SNJ-5 Texan BuNo 90725 \- Airbase Arizona
* North American SNJ-6 Texan BuNo 112180 \- Minnesota Wing
* North American B-25 Mitchell
* North American B-25J-5-NC Yellow Rose 43-27868 \- Central Texas Wing
* North American B-25J-10-NC Maid in the Shade 43-35972 \- Airbase Arizona
* North American B-25J-20-NC Miss Mitchell 44-29869 \- Minnesota Wing
* North American B-25J-30-NC/PBJ-1J Semper Fi 44-30988 \- Southern California Wing
* North American B-25J-30-NC Show Me 44-31385 \- Missouri Wing
* North American B-25J-32-NC Devil Dog 44-86758 \- Devil Dog Squadron
* North American NA-64 Yale (painted as BT-14)
* North American P-51 Mustang
* North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Tuskegee Airmen 42-103645 \- Red Tail Squadron
* North American P-51D-25-NA Mustang Man-O-War 44-72739 \- Southern California Wing
* North American P-51D-25-NA Mustang Red Nose 44-73843 \- Airbase Georgia
* North American T-28 Trojan
* North American F-100F super sabre '56-3990' - static display at Highland Lakes Squadron
* Northrop T-38A talon '60-0594' - static display at Highland Lakes Squadron
* Piper L-4F
* Republic P-47N-5-RE Thunderbolt 44-88548 \- Airbase Georgia (under restoration)
* Ryan PT-22 Recruit
* Ryan PT-22 Recruit 41-1902 \- Minnesota Wing
* Ryan L-17 Navion
* Ryan Navion A N444AC \- Highland Lakes Squadron[41]
* Sikorsky UH-19D-2-Sl Chickasaw 54-1416 helicopter
* Schweizer TG-3A training glider - Airbase Arizona
* Stinson AT-19 Reliant (Royal Navy) - Carolinas Wing
* Stinson 108 (World War II Civil Air Patrol)
* Stinson L-5 Sentinel (USN/Marines OY)
* Stinson L-5E-1-VW/OY-2 Sentinel Carin' Belle 44-18143/BuNo 04013 \- Ohio Valley Wing
* Stinson L-5 Sentinel c/n 76-0272 \- Dallas/Fort Worth Wing
* Stinson L-5 Sentinel Frozen Assets 42-98667 \- Minnesota Wing
* Stinson AT-19 Reliant
* Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe NH749 \- Southern California Wing
* Taylorcraft L-2
* Vultee BT-13/BT-15/SNV
* Vultee BT-13A 41-11538 \- Minnesota Wing
* Vultee BT-13A Valiant
* Vultee BT-13A 41-21178 \- Gulf Coast Wing
* Vought A-7 72-0188 \- static display at Highland lakes wing
* Yakovlev Yak-3UA - Southern California Wing

## AIRSHO

[edit]

Formation pass during the 2008 CAF AIRSHO

AIRSHO is a yearly event at Midland International Airport showcasing the CAF's aircraft.[8] Because its aircraft tend to be spread out over large geographic distances, and most Ghost Squadron aircraft rarely fly more than a few hours from their home base, AIRSHO is also an opportunity for CAF members to meet up. Ghost Squadron aircraft usually attend AIRSHO every other year. The CAF AIRSHO is the largest warbird air show in the world, with more than eighty warbirds flying per show.[citation needed]

## Wings and squadrons

[edit]

The CAF has more than 80 wings and squadrons. Starting in 2013, a limited number of larger units may be designated as an "airbase." The first is Airbase Arizona, located at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona and redesignated in June 2013. Most CAF units are in the United States, but there are three outside the country.

### US wings and squadrons

[edit]

* Alabama
* Birmingham – Birmingham Escadrille[42]
* Tanner – Rocket City Wing[42]
* Alaska
* Anchorage – Col Hunt Alaska Wing[42]
* Arkansas
* Little Rock – Razorback Wing[42]
* Arizona
* Mesa – Airbase Arizona at Falcon Field[42]
* California
* Camarillo – Southern California Wing[42]
* Modesto – Central California Valley Squadron[42]
* Riverside – Inland Empire Wing[42]
* Upland – FM-2 Wildcat Sponsor Group[42]
* Colorado
* Broomfield – Mile High Wing[42]
* Grand Junction – Rocky Mountain Wing[42]
* Florida
* DeLand – Florida Wing[42]
* Lakeland – Tampa Bay Wing[42]
* Pensacola – Floribama Wing[42]
* Georgia
* Peachtree City – Airbase Georgia[42]
* Indiana
* Indianapolis – Indiana Wing[42]
* Iowa
* Council Bluffs – Great Plains Wing[42]
* Kansas
* Kansas City – Heart of America Wing[42]
* Wichita – Jayhawk Wing[42]
* Louisiana
* Hammond – Bayou State Escadrille[42]
* New Orleans – Big Easy Wing[42]
* Minnesota
* Red Wing – Red Tail Squadron[42]
* South St. Paul – Minnesota Wing[42]
* Mississippi
* Madison – Mississippi Wing[42]
* Missouri
* St. Charles – Missouri Wing[42]
* Montana
* Bozeman – Big Sky Wing[42]
* Nevada
* Reno – High Sierra Squadron[42]
* New Hampshire
* North Hampton – New England Wing[42]
* New York
* Wappingers Falls – Hudson Valley Wing[42]
* New Mexico
* Albuquerque – Lobo Wing[42]
* Ohio
* Marysville – Buckeye Wing[42]
* Oklahoma
* Enid – Lady Liberty Squadron[42]
* Guymon – Cimmaron Strip Wing[42]
* Oklahoma City – Sierra Hotel Sponsor Group[42]
* Tulsa – Spirit of Tulsa Squadron[42]
* Rhode Island
* Westerly – Sea Control Squadron[42]
* South Dakota
* Sioux Falls – Joe Foss Squadron[42]
* Tennessee
* Lebanon – Music City Wing[42]
* Memphis – Delta Blues Squadron/Memphis Squadron[42]
* Texas
* Aransas Pass – Maxine Flourney 3rd Coast Squadron[42]
* Burnet – Highland Lakes Squadron[42]
* Conroe – Gulf Coast Wing[42]
* Corsicana – Coyote Squadron[42]
* Dallas – P-40 Sponsor Group[42]
* Dallas – Training Squadron One (TRARON)[42]
* Dallas – WASP Squadron[42]
* Dallas – B-29/B-24 Squadron[42]
* Fort Worth – Bucket of Bolts Sponsor Group[42]
* Fort Worth – Invader Squadron[42]
* Gainesville – Ground Forces Detachment[42]
* Georgetown – Devil Dog Squadron[42]
* Granbury – Comanche Peak Sponsor Group[42]
* Houston – Houston Wing[42]
* Lancaster – Dallas/Fort Worth Wing[42]
* Marshall – Lone Star Wing[42]
* Midland – Blastards Detachment[42]
* Midland – High Sky Wing[42]
* Midland – West Texas Wing[42]
* Odessa – Desert Squadron[42]
* Pearland – Tora Sponsor Group[42]
* San Antonio – Tex Hill Wing[42]
* San Marcos – Centex Wing[42]
* Utah
* Heber – Utah Wing[42]
* Virginia
* Culpeper – Capital Wing[42]
* Washington
* Everett – Rainier Squadron[42]
* Richland – Day's Pay[42]
* Wisconsin
* Superior – Lake Superior Squadron[42]
* Waukesha – Wisconsin Wing[42]
* National units
* EOD Detachment[42]
* Marshalling Detachment[42]
* Security Detachment[42]

### International wings and squadrons

[edit]

* France
* Saint-Ange-le-Viel — French Wing[42]
* New Zealand
* Auckland — New Zealand Wing[42]
* Switzerland
* Olten — Swiss Wing[42]

## References

[edit]

### Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Confederate Air Force may rename". Associated Press. November 18, 2000. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
2. ^ a b "OUR HISTORY & MISSION". Commemorative Air Force. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
3. ^ "MEMBERSHIP". Commemorative Air Force. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
4. ^ Morrow, Thomas (February 1, 1956). "Oscar Does a Big Business with Confederate Commissions". Chicago Tribune. p. 6. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
5. ^ "CAF History." Archived July 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: April 3, 2011.
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Leatherwood, Art. "COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE". Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
7. ^ a b c Associated Press (April 29, 2014). "Commemorative Air Force Moving Headquarters to Dallas". NBC. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
8. ^ a b "AIRSHO". Commemorative Air Force. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
9. ^ "U.S. Apologizes to Japan for Show That Re-enacted Hiroshima Attack". The New York Times. October 15, 1976. p. 10\. Archived from the original on July 9, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
10. ^ "Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight Award". National Aviation Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
11. ^ Walton, Bill (March 2, 2020). "WATCH: You Don't Mess With Texas or a B-17G Flying Fortress". Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
12. ^ Collins, Mike (April 29, 2014). "CAF headquarters moving to Dallas Executive". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
13. ^ Gillett, Bud (April 29, 2014). "The Commemorative Air Force Relocates To Oak Cliff". CBS. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
14. ^ Rist, Matthew (December 11, 2014). "CAF Announces Plans to Move Equipment, Museum Artifacts to Dallas". CBS. Archived from the original on December 28, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
15. ^ Bergqvist, Pia. "Return to the Front Line". Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
16. ^ "Mission: Normandy". Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
17. ^ Frye, Cathy (September 29, 1995). "Vintage craft's luck runs out on eve of show". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. p. 1\. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
18. ^ a b "Investigation underway over midair crash at Dallas air show". Boston.com. AP. November 13, 2022. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
19. ^ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: FTW95FA406". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. August 20, 1996. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
20. ^ "Authorities continue investigation of plane crash that killed Midland man". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. April 17, 2001. p. 1B. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
21. ^ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: FTW01FA100". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. April 18, 2003. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
22. ^ Freeman, Scott (May 15, 2001). "Two die in plane crash". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. p. 1\. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
23. ^ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: FTW01FA117". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. August 26, 2002. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
24. ^ Lee, David J. (June 17, 2005). "CAF mourns members lost in Georgia plane crash". Odessa American. Odessa, Texas. p. 1\. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
25. ^ "Aviation Investigation Final Report: ATL05FA098". NTSB.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. January 31, 2006. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
26. ^ Otero, LM; Bleed, Jill (November 13, 2022). "6 killed after vintage aircraft collide at Dallas air show". Boston.com. AP. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
27. ^ a b "New Director of Operations for the CAF". Warbirds News. June 22, 2015. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
28. ^ "CAF_IRS_501c3_letter.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
29. ^ "Texas State Auditor's Office - Summary of Report 15-013". Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
30. ^ Vanderlaan, Jon (February 17, 2015). "Commemorative Air Force Loses State Money". Odessa American. Archived from the original on April 15, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
31. ^ Appleton, Roy (November 3, 2014). "Dallas council panel backs incentives for Commemorative Air Force". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
32. ^ Appleton, Roy (November 12, 2014). "Dallas City Council approves relocation grant to Commemorative Air Force". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
33. ^ "Dallas Executive Airport: Past, Present and Future" (PDF). City of Dallas. Economic Development Committee. November 3, 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
34. ^ "CAF News 2001 Press Release." Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: August 14, 2007.
35. ^ "Confederate Air Force adopts another name". Amarillo.com. AP. December 8, 2001. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
36. ^ "CAF "Diamond Lil" back to B-24A configuration." Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: August 14, 2007.
37. ^ Boeing B-17G "Flying Fortress" Archived May 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
38. ^ "CAF Facts and Information." Archived July 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Commemorative Air Force. Retrieved: July 22, 2007.
39. ^ "CAF Stearman - Commemorative Air Force - Utah Wing". Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
40. ^ Wood, Keith, Flying the Ghost - SBD Dauntless Archived April 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, December 2009, pp.11-14
41. ^ North American L-17 Navion Archived April 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Accessdate:4 April 2014
42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv "CAF Unit Map". Commemorative Air Force. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.

### Bibliography

[edit]

* Hillinger, Charles (November 2, 1979). "Air Force With Time Machines". Los Angeles Times. pp. 1–2\. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
* Ogden, Bob. Aviation Museums & Collections of North America. London: Air-Britain, 2007. ISBN 0-85130-385-4.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Commemorative Air Force at Wikimedia Commons
* Commemorative Air Force official site
* Aerial Visuals Search Commemorative Air Force
* AirNav, FlightAware \- Old Reb Airport information