A large number of British cadets went to an airfield in Mesa, Arizona, to begin primary training in biplanes, and then moved up to single-engine fighter-trainers, such as the AT-6 Texan. The British Royal Air Force organization named the facility Falcon Field, which is still in operation today.
Commemorative Air Force
World War II veteran takes to the air in SBD Dive Bomber 80 years later
World War II veteran Dick Miralles slid into the gunner’s seat of the SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber almost as easily as he did 80 years ago in the South Pacific. Miralles, 98, was reliving his wartime experience in a restored SBD operated by CAF Airbase Georgia in Peachtree City, Georgia. According to Miralles, the flight “was calm compared to what I was used to.”
A short violent life
The Grumman F6F Hellcat entered service in the Pacific Theater in early fall 1943, yet by early fall 1945, it was relegated to second-line duty. “But what an impact it had in those two short years, sweeping the skies of Japanese aircraft and racking up the highest kill ratio of any World War II fighter,” say officials with the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing.
Flying Legends of Victory tour prepares for takeoff
The B-17 “Sentimental Journey” and the B-25 “Maid in the Shade” are preparing to take off on their annual 18-week tour through California, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Oregon.
Rare P-47 Thunderbolt lands in Georgia
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia is acquiring a rare World War II P-47 Thunderbolt as a long-term restoration project.
A Bearcat restoration, from the ground up
The presentation, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will include discussions on the planning, disassembly, and game plan for the reassembly of the high-performance warbird by the Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force.
KRAL looks to the future
Riverside Municipal Airport (KRAL) in Southern California has everything in place to continue growing, from near-perfect weather to robust flight training operations to what some describe as the best cheeseburger in town.
New film about the WASP touring nationwide
The film includes never before seen WASP interviews, state-of-the-art graphics, aerial sequences and historic reenactments. Exhibition of the film takes place throughout the country in the Commemorative Air Force’s Rise Above Traveling Exhibit.
CAF Dixie Wing now CAF Airbase Georgia
The new name is a testament to the “tremendous growth and awarded accomplishments” the Commemorative Air Force’s Dixie Wing has achieved over the last 35 years.