WW II Aircraft Visit NH

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. 

Lloyd Nolen
Chief of Staff of the “Ghost Squadron"

Curious about the organization, I learned that it all started with one man and a single plane in 1957. Unable to fly for the military due to a vision problem, Texas-born Lloyd P. Nolen and a small group of ex-service pilots (WW II and Korean War) from the Rio Grande Valley pooled money to purchase a P-51 Mustang. After vandals painted with the words, Confederate Air Force, on it, the group adopted the name, forming an organization to share the expense of maintaining the plane and then added a pair of F8F Bearcats. The non-profit organization became dedicated to preserving historic combat aircraft with a mission to save an examples of WW II aircraft, one no one else was undertaking.

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.

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

The P-51 Mustang Gunfighter ↑ was one of the most famous and effective fighter aircraft of WW II and was originally designed to fulfill a British requirement in 1940 with the North American Aircraft Corporation contracted to design and build the new fighter. Early versions were powered by 1,100-hp Allison engines; changed to powerful Packard-built Merlin V-1650 in 1943 what allied bombers in Europe needed. The aircraft became known for its long range and high-altitude escort capability. A variant, the P-51D, featured a 360-degree-view bubble canopy, a modified rear fuselage, and six 12.77-mm machine guns. Along with their fighter role, Mustang planes were used for ground attack and reconnaissance. After 1945, over 50 Air Forces worldwide acquired and used the planes for many years, some as recently as the early 1980s.

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.

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

The aircraft flew for over 30 years until 2006 when it was grounded by the chief pilot for a complete power plant re-fit. An extensive four-year restoration included replacing all four engines with new custom built hybrid engines. The plane returned to flying in 2010 and since then has traveled coast to coast attracting crowds at every stop and generating enough revenue to keep the B-29 flying for over 45 years. 

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.