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Today, July 4, is the 245th celebration of Independence Day in the USA, a historic celebration. This post is a bit about history, but of a different sort.
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Ghost Squadron is the largest operator of historic aircraft in the world with a fleet of over 175 aircraft and over 13,000 members. Several aircraft in this tour recently traveled to Nashua, NH.
Each year, the CAF Ghost Squadron travels to as many as 20 US cities where at each stop, the public can tour the aircraft cockpit (for a fee) and/or purchase a flight experience.
Last week, the tour's first stop was a 3-day stay in Nashua, NH at Boire Field Airport. From there, the tour was continuing to Niagara Falls, NY; Pontiac, MI; Chicago, Ill; Janesville, WI; Rochester, MN; Sioux Falls, SD; Lincoln, North Platte and Scottsbluff, NE; Denver, CO; Duncan, OK, Denton, Fort Worth, Waco, Dallas, TX; and Blytheville, AK.
It's less than a 3-mile drive from our mill apt to the Nashua airport. We went to see the aircraft, but didn't get up close views. Due to the costly expenses of maintaining and flying these planes, there was a $20/ramp access fee (adults; $10 for ages11-17; free for 10 and under). We opted for views from behind the enclosure (like a number of others) and viewed a featured a B-29 bomber, P-51 Mustang, PT-13 Stearman and other aircraft. Scheduled flights twice daily on 3 of the planes were sold out and ranged from $249 to $1600 for a 20-30 minute flight. More costly than for a short commercial flights, but priceless to many WW II buffs for what's been termed a living history flight.
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Lloyd Nolen Chief of Staff of the “Ghost Squadron" |
Now known as the Commemorative Air Force, the CAF brings military aviation to life. What started as a hobby evolved into a mission not only to preserve history, but preserve an example of every historic aircraft that flew during WW II. This was an undertaking no one else was pursuing or attempting, including the US Air Force and US Navy.
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The Pilot Maker, Boeing PT-13 Stearman |
This ↑ plane by any name is regarded as the primary trainer American aviators in WW II. The Boeing PT-13 Stearman, officially Boeing Model 75, is widely known as the Stearman. The Army designated it the PT, the Navy the N2S, and Canadians called it the Kaydet. The U.S. Army Air Corps first ordered the Model 75 in 1935, a year After the Stearman Aircraft Company of Wichita, KS was acquired by Boeing. This two-seater biplane includes wood-framed wings with fabric covering and a fuselage with welded steel framework, also fabric covered. In 1940, with war looming, production rose with 3,520 aircraft delivered that year; production ended in 1945.
By 1960, the group was searching for more WW II aircraft; but it was apparent that few remained in flying condition. By the end of the war, America had produced nearly 300,000 aircraft. Just 15 years later, almost all these planes were gone, decommissioned and stripped of armament and instruments, most were scrapped or abandoned.
In September 1961, the CAF was chartered as a non-profit Texas corporation to restore and preserve World War II-era combat aircraft. By the end of the year, there were nine aircraft in the CAF fleet.
P-51, Mustang Gunfighter |
In 1965, the first museum building consisting of 26,000 square feet was completed at old Rebel Field, Mercedes, TX. The CAF created a new Rebel Field at Harlingen, TX, moving there in 1968, occupying three large buildings. The CAF fleet continued to grow and include medium and heavy bombers such as the B-29, B-25, B-17 and B-24.
Effective January 2002, the organization was renamed to the Commemorative Air Force by a membership vote. The name change was to better reflect its purpose and goals. More than just a collection of warplanes from the past, the CAF Ghost Squadron, recreates, reminds and reinforces the defining moments in American military aviation history to the general public. The idea is to let them come out and touch the metal, smell the oil, and hear the roar of the engines
After collecting aircraft for almost half a century, the CAF is considered the largest flying museum in the world. Today, it has nearly 13,000 members and a fleet of more than 175 aircraft that represent more than 60 different types — including planes from several foreign countries and military conflicts after WW II. Aircraft are assigned to units across the country. These units, consist of CAF volunteer members, who restore and operate historic aircraft which are viewed by more than 10 million spectators annually.
In the 1970s, the B-29/B-24 Squadron of the CAF was created to support the B-29 Superfortress FIFI, the most advanced bomber of WW II. This iconic bomber, which was designed to fly higher and faster than enemy fighters, was credited with bringing an end to the war.
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Nearly full view of the large B-29 Superfortress FIFI from behind the fence |
FIFI was acquired by the CAF in the early 1970s after members found her at the U.S. Navy Proving Ground, China Lake, CA, being used as a missile target, Rescued and restored, FIFI introduced the concept of warbird barnstorming. A squadron of volunteers was formed taking the aircraft on tour from city to city to raise enough funding to be self-sustaining.
Closer view of this large B-29 aircraft |
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Photo credit: Gary Daniels for Commemorative Air Force |
The CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron is based at the Dallas Executive Airport ↑ in the Dallas, Fort Worth TX area. CAF members live in every state and 28 foreign countries. In 26 states and four foreign countries, members have formed units to actively support one or more of the classic military aircraft operated by the CAF.
Maintaining and flying these historic aircraft is very costly. The CAF and B-29/B-24 Squadron donot receive any federal or military funding/support. It's a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to honoring American military aviation history through flight, exhibition and remembrance. Visit commemorativeairforce.org for more information.
Enjoy your holiday. It's a wet and chilly day in Nashua, NH.
23 comments:
I used to like the air shows in Savannah, back when Hunter Air Force base was there, now army base. i have seen most of the planes but only in movies. I am betting these are leased out to make movies. beautiful planes and love thier paint jobs
A great post for the 4th of July. If you are ever in the Dayton, Ohio area, the Air Force museum there has lots of similar planes, as well as old Air Force One and space rockets. And it’s free!!!
Nice photos. Happy Independence Day!
That looks like a fun little trip. You saw some cool planes. I'm surprised my husband wasn't interested in this event, but no. Glad you shared some photos with us Dorothy. Have a wonderful and hopefully you're not as wet as we are July 4th. Hugs-Erika
Happy Independence Day! Stay dry!
Loved seeing these ole planes, and hearing about their uses. I've been to at least a couple of museums of this sort, but don't remember where.
I had given no thought to the history of military aircraft. This was enlightening.
That's quite a collection of planes. I live just a few miles from the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, which includes the American Air Museum. It's supposed to be the biggest air museum in Europe. I must admit I rarely go there these days - mainly because it's quite expensive and I used to go there at least once a year when I worked at a nearby school.
Beautiful photos! Such interesting history here. I really like the photo with all the planes and a couple jeeps. Very impressive. Happy Independence Day to you, hugs, Edna B.
Cool planes! Great aircraft histoty snippets!
Beautiful planes!
I hope you're having a good 4th July Beatrice. Excellent history and photos. John mentioned the War Museum at Duxford, not far from where I live, but I haven't been there for years, everywhere seems to be so expensive nowadays.
I like old aircraft. Thanks for giving us the tour. some of these planes were bought by northern operators to use as bush planes so that's where I got to ride in them. We had many DC-3's, We even had them on skis.
I'd be really scared to get into one of those little planes.
But it is fun to look at them. ;)
The planes are looking great and you kept me reading which is good..
Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a great place to visit, you took us on a great tour for which I am thankful. Its not likely that I will get to visit so nice that I can see the planes through your eyes.
What a fantastic post for the 4th Of July! Love the photos.
Happy Independence Day!
Very interesting post and you sure got some great shots. I hope you had a happy 4th!
I love these old airplanes. Thanks for this very informative post!
Wonderful aircraft!
I hope everyone had a terrific 4th of July! Take care. :)
Thanks for sharing all the information about CAF Ghost Squadron. "After collecting aircraft for almost half a century, the CAF is considered the largest flying museum in the world." Certainly sounds like it! Wow!
Glad you got to go to the airport and view this. Even if I could afford a flight, I'd never do it (small space, motion sickness, etc.) but I'm sure it's a real experience for those who can.
~Mary
Great posts and information on these wonderful old planes. Enjoy the rest of your week :)
We don't celebrate the 4th of July here in the UK, well actually we do as it's my older daughter's "Special Day". The day she arrived in our home before we legally adopted her. So we celebrate the day every year.
Wet and chilly? I can't remember that kind of weather ;>) (it's cooled down to almost manageable here in Oregon, but we are *supposed* to have your kind of weather. Crazy times. I cannot comment on the main part of your post because I have to be honest, I just cannot get interested in airplanes and cars except as a means to get somewhere. We've gone to several airshows and there is even an amusement park somewhere in Idaho dedicated to them (with fake plane rides for the kids etc. and daily trick flying flyovers by real ones) but we do that for the other person in this household. (And I'm glad to do it!) LOL, actually I should show him this post and let him write the comment ;>)
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