Cheryl Goodwin submitted this photo with a note: “On final for Runway 26 at Joslin Field/Magic Valley Regional Airport (KTWTF) in Twin Falls, Idaho, in the Commemorative Air Force’s fabulous B-17 ‘Sentimental Journey’ during her Flying Legends of Victory Summer tour 2023.”
Commemorative Air Force
Restored Tuskegee Airmen PT-19 returns to the skies
“This historic aircraft, originally used to train Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, had flown for Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia for many years, but the leadership team decided it was time to take it apart and inspect, restore, and repaint it,” said Airbase Leader Joel Perkins.
The 12 Planes of Christmas
Pilots can pick their favorite aircraft among the 12 and donate exclusively to that project or donate directly to the organization’s Restoration Grant Fund, a dollar-for-dollar match program created to help aircraft projects with the most need get back into the air faster, CAF officials explain.
Commemorative Air Force soars to new heights with Pinto jet
The jet has been assigned to a newly established Super Pinto Sponsor Group, which will be based at the CAF hangar in Memphis. Group members noted the aircraft will divide its time between Memphis, Pensacola, and Dallas. The group also hopes to be able to start offering living history flights in the Pinto in 2024.
Picture of the Day: Winter maintenance
John Schmidt submitted this photo and note: “Commemorative Air Force members Ron Bombeck, crew chief Dan Bombeck, and pilot Jeff Knutson inspect the Pratt and Whitney R-985 on the nose of the Minnesota Wing’s Oshkosh-award-winning BT-13 in the hangar at South St. Paul Airport (KSGS). Winter maintenance has begun, and it’s an excellent time to see the warbirds, with inspection panels off, as crews of volunteers prepare the airplanes for another air show season.”
Picture of the Day: The opportunity of a lifetime
Steve Rush submitted this photo and note: “The Commemorative Air Force left its B-17 ‘Sentimental Journey’ on the ramp at Arlington Municipal Airport (KAWO) in Washington, one Saturday, and I just couldn’t pass up the photo opportunity of a lifetime to get my RV-8 in the same photo.”
World War II pilot surprised with visit from P-51
Officials with the Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia flew its P-51 Mustang fighter to Florida recently to help surprise a World War II veteran and former P-51 pilot who was celebrating his 100th birthday.
Video: Warbirds and Wheels
Smitty Smith of FunPlacesToFly.com just uploaded a video to YouTube shot at the Commemorative Air Force Warbirds and Wheels aviation event in Lancaster, Texas. The video, which features warbirds, experimentals, and other general aviation airplanes, does not include music, so you can hear all the wonderful engine sounds as the planes takeoff, land, and taxi.
Bittersweet end for the last B-17s in the Air Force
Radio-controlled B-17s were first used to bomb Germany, but after World War II, the Air Force found several other uses for the drones, known as QB-17, including taking radioactive samples, water ditching tests, and testing antiaircraft missiles.