Commemorative Air Force

Commemorative Air Force The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through Flight, Exhibition, and Remembran

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) was founded in 1957, a time when the U.S. military was scrapping the fleet of aircraft that had played a decisive part in winning World War II. With the rallying cry “Keep ‘Em Flying”, the initial goal of the CAF was to preserve, in flying condition, at least one example of each aircraft flown by the American Forces from 1939-45. Over the decades that followed, th

e CAF became the world’s largest owner and operator of vintage military aircraft. Today, the organization owns 184 historic planes valued at over $50 million, most of which are in airworthy condition. The airplanes are dispersed among 80 CAF units, located in 26 states. The CAF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with annual revenues in excess of $24 million. Aided by a huge volunteer effort from more than 12,000 members, the CAF’s aircraft and educational programs reach millions of Americans each year. The CAF’s mission is to educate, inspire, and honor through flight and living history experiences.

Though most people remember 4 June 1942 as the day the carriers first tangled at Midway, the first action in the battle ...
06/03/2026

Though most people remember 4 June 1942 as the day the carriers first tangled at Midway, the first action in the battle actually took place on 3 June when, around 0900, the Japanese were discovered by a PBY Catalina from Navy patrol squadron VP-44. The crew, led by Ensign Jewell Harmon (“Jack”) Reid, sighted Admiral Raizo Tanaka’s Midway Occupation Force 700 nautical miles west of the atoll. They mistakenly reported this as the Japanese Main Force.

Based on this report, Midway sent nine B-17s for the first air attack at about 12:30. Three hours later, they found the transport group and dropped their bombs through heavy anti-aircraft fire. The B-17 crews claimed five direct hits, but research after the war suggests that they only scored one near miss.

Early the following morning, the Japanese oil tanker Akebono Maru sustained the first hit of the battle when a torpedo dropped from a PBY struck her around 1:00am. Ironically, this was the only successful air-launched torpedo attack by the US during the entire battle.

On June 3, 1965, NASA astronaut Edward H. White II climbed out of the Gemini IV spacecraft and became the first American...
06/03/2026

On June 3, 1965, NASA astronaut Edward H. White II climbed out of the Gemini IV spacecraft and became the first American to perform a spacewalk, or extravehicular activity (EVA).

The mission, commanded by James McDivitt, launched that morning from Cape Kennedy aboard a Titan II rocket as part of NASA’s Project Gemini program. At the height of the Space Race, the United States was working to catch up with Soviet achievements in space, including Alexei Leonov’s historic first EVA just months earlier. Gemini IV was designed to test whether astronauts could work outside their spacecraft, an ability that would become essential for future Apollo lunar missions.

On their third orbit, White opened Gemini IV’s hatch while orbiting about 120 miles above Earth. Attached to the spacecraft by a 23-foot tether and oxygen umbilical, he floated into space using a hand-held maneuvering unit often called the “zip gun,” which released bursts of oxygen to help him move. White spent about 23 minutes outside the capsule, drifting above the Pacific Ocean at nearly 17,000 miles per hour.

White enjoyed the experience so much that Mission Control had difficulty convincing him to return inside. Simply climbing back into the tiny Gemini capsule required considerable effort. Accounts from NASA and later EVA histories describe him as exhausted by the end of the spacewalk. Further complicating the mission, after White climbed back inside, the capsule's hatch would not seal properly. Commander Jim McDivitt eventually fixed the mechanism manually and got it latched, allowing the mission to continue safely.

Sadly, less than two years after his historic Gemini IV spacewalk, Ed White was killed on January 27, 1967, during the Apollo 1 launch rehearsal fire at Cape Kennedy alongside fellow astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom and Roger Chaffee.

On June 2, 1943, Ensign Nile Kinnick, the 1939 Heisman Trophy winner and University of Iowa football legend, was flying ...
06/02/2026

On June 2, 1943, Ensign Nile Kinnick, the 1939 Heisman Trophy winner and University of Iowa football legend, was flying a routine training mission from USS Lexington (CV-16) in the Gulf of Paria near Venezuela when his Grumman F4F Wildcat developed an oil leak. Unable to safely return to the carrier, Kinnick executed an emergency water landing about four miles from the ship. Rescue boats arrived roughly eight minutes later but found only an oil slick. His body was never recovered.

Kinnick was lost at sea just weeks shy of his 25th birthday.

Though the fifth person to receive the Heisman, Kinnick was the first winner to die. His legacy extended far beyond football, though. A gifted student, class leader, and naval aviator, he embodied a generation that traded stadiums for service during World War II.

In the years after his death, support grew to memorialize him at Iowa. Students voted in November 1945 to rename Iowa Stadium "Nile Kinnick Memorial Stadium," but the proposal stalled, in part because Kinnick's father objected, not wanting his son singled out above the many others who had died in the war. It wasn't until 1972 that the university officially renamed it Kinnick Stadium, making it the only major college football stadium named after a Heisman Trophy winner.

The High Sierra Squadron of the CAF is hosting a unique fundraiser on Friday, June 5, at its hangar at Reno Stead Airpor...
06/02/2026

The High Sierra Squadron of the CAF is hosting a unique fundraiser on Friday, June 5, at its hangar at Reno Stead Airport. To support restoration of its 1941 N3N-3 Navy trainer, known as the “Yellow Peril”, they are hosting a "Paint & Sip" event where guests can create their own artwork of the N3N.

The event invites guests to paint the historic biplane inside the squadron’s hangar while surrounded by warbirds, with proceeds going toward a new engine needed to return the aircraft to flying condition. The squadron will also offer L-19E Bird Dog rides during the event, with ticket options supporting both the restoration project and the unit’s broader aviation outreach efforts.

Read more at https://commemorativeairforce.org/news/paint-and-sip-fundraiser-to-help-restore-historic-navy-biplane

This week's is about a post-WWII jet fighter from Lockheed that was one of the Skunk Works' rare misses: the XF-90.Des...
06/02/2026

This week's is about a post-WWII jet fighter from Lockheed that was one of the Skunk Works' rare misses: the XF-90.

Designed by the Lockheed Skunk Works team under Kelly Johnson and Willis Hawkins, the aircraft was intended to es**rt strategic bombers deep into enemy territory while also possessing the ability to engage enemy fighters. The XF-90 featured a sleek fuselage, sharply pointed nose, 35-degree swept wings, and twin Westinghouse J34 turbojet engines. It was heavily built and incorporated advanced structural techniques and materials that made it exceptionally strong, though also very heavy.

Development of the XF-90 began in response to a 1945 Army Air Forces requirement for an advanced jet pe*******on fighter capable of es**rting bombers over great distances. Lockheed initially explored several concepts, including a delta wing layout, before settling on the final swept wing configuration. The design drew heavily from experience gained with the earlier P-80 Shooting Star but attempted to push performance much further into the transonic regime. Political delays, engine development problems, and the rapid pace of postwar jet advancement complicated the project. Competing directly against the McDonnell XF-88 Voodoo and the North American YF-93, the XF-90 suffered from excessive weight and insufficient engine thrust. Although structurally impressive and technologically ambitious, the aircraft’s performance never fully met Air Force expectations.

The XF-90 made its first flight on 3 June 1949 with Lockheed chief test pilot Tony LeVier at the controls. Flight testing demonstrated that the aircraft was stable and rugged, but also badly underpowered. Early flights often required rocket-assisted takeoff because the non-afterburning engines struggled to lift the aircraft with a practical fuel load. The second prototype, designated XF-90A, introduced afterburning engines. It also became the first Lockheed jet to exceed the speed of sound, though only during a dive.

Despite these achievements, testing confirmed that the XF-90 could not match the performance of its rivals. In September 1950, the Air Force selected the McDonnell XF-88 for further development, and soon afterward, the entire pe*******on fighter concept lost priority as strategic doctrine evolved around faster bombers and dedicated interceptors. As a result, the XF-90 never entered production.

The two XF-90 prototypes met unusual fates. The first, serial 46-687, was sent to the NACA laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio, where its extraordinarily strong airframe was subjected to structural testing until destruction. The second, 46-688, was used in nuclear weapons testing in 1952. Exposed to three atomic blasts at Frenchman Flat, Nevada, the aircraft was heavily damaged and left in the desert for decades. In the early 2000s, the remains were recovered and decontaminated before being transferred to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, where the battered hulk is now displayed largely unrestored.

On 31 May 1967, two USAF Sikorsky HH-3E “Jolly Green Giant” helicopters departed Floyd Bennett Field in New York and fle...
06/01/2026

On 31 May 1967, two USAF Sikorsky HH-3E “Jolly Green Giant” helicopters departed Floyd Bennett Field in New York and flew to the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport in France where they arrived on on 1 Jun 1967, completing the first nonstop helicopter flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

The helicopters, serial numbers 66-13280 and 66-13281, covered approximately 4,271 miles (6,874 kilometers) in 30 hours and 46 minutes. The mission required nine aerial refuelings from Lockheed HC-130P tanker aircraft and demonstrated the extraordinary long range potential of large turbine powered helicopters.

The flight was organized during a period when helicopter technology had advanced rapidly because of military requirements during the Cold War and the Vietnam War. Earlier helicopters lacked the range, reliability, and navigation systems needed for oceanic flight, but the Sikorsky HH-3E represented a major leap forward. Developed from the SH-3 Sea King, the HH-3E featured retractable landing gear, amphibious capability, long range fuel capacity, and an in flight refueling probe. The United States Air Force wanted to demonstrate both the aircraft’s rescue capabilities and the effectiveness of helicopter aerial refueling, which had become increasingly important for combat search and rescue operations.

The successful crossing proved that helicopters could undertake true intercontinental missions without relying on ships or intermediate landing points. It greatly expanded military thinking about long range rescue operations and special missions. The HH-3E went on to achieve a distinguished combat record in Southeast Asia, where its crews rescued hundreds of downed airmen under dangerous conditions. The transatlantic flight also helped establish aerial refueling as a standard capability for many future military helicopters, influencing aircraft such as the Sikorsky MH-53, MH-60 Pave Hawk, and modern special operations rotorcraft.

Join us this week for Before the Spitfire: The Supermarine S.5. Built for the prestigious Schneider Trophy, the S.5 push...
06/01/2026

Join us this week for Before the Spitfire: The Supermarine S.5. Built for the prestigious Schneider Trophy, the S.5 pushed the limits of speed, engineering, and aerodynamics in the late 1920s, and in this episode of Warbird Tube, we explore how this sleek racing aircraft helped lay the groundwork for one of the most iconic fighters of World War II.

To watch LIVE on Wednesday, June 3 at 7 pm Central: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2657975256521218141?source=SoMe

On 1 June 1943, a civilian airliner operating as British Overseas Airways Corporation Flight 777 departed Lisbon, Portug...
06/01/2026

On 1 June 1943, a civilian airliner operating as British Overseas Airways Corporation Flight 777 departed Lisbon, Portugal, bound for Bristol, England, on a route that had previously been considered relatively safe and outside the main war zone. While flying over the Bay of Biscay, the unarmed Douglas DC-3 was attacked by eight German Junkers Ju 88 fighters and shot down with the loss of all 17 people on board. Among the dead was the well-known British actor Leslie Howard, whose presence helped fuel speculation about why the plane had been targeted.

Leslie Howard had been one of Britain’s most prominent actors of the 1930s and early 1940s, known for his refined screen presence and roles in both British and Hollywood films. He achieved international fame for portraying Ashley Wilkes in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind, one of the most celebrated films in cinema history.

During World War II, Howard devoted increasing energy to supporting the British war effort, including producing and appearing in propaganda films designed to boost morale and explain the Allied cause. His 1942 film The First of the Few, about the designer of the Supermarine Spitfire, was a notable example of this work. His death in the downing of Flight 777 caused widespread shock and grief in Britain and beyond, with many viewing him not only as a beloved actor but also as a cultural figure actively engaged in the wartime struggle.

Before he became an acclaimed actor known for roles in *Star Wars*, *Marriage Story*, and *House of Gucci*, Adam Driver ...
05/30/2026

Before he became an acclaimed actor known for roles in *Star Wars*, *Marriage Story*, and *House of Gucci*, Adam Driver served in the United States Marine Corps in the years following the September 11 attacks.

Adam Douglas Driver was born on November 19, 1983, in Fontana, California, but grew up in San Diego and later Mishawaka, Indiana. After graduating from high school, he initially applied to Juilliard but was not accepted. Like many young Americans deeply affected by the events of September 11, 2001, Driver decided to enlist in the military. He joined the United States Marine Corps shortly afterward and was assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines.

Driver served for nearly three years as an 81mm mortar man. During that time, he earned the rank of lance corporal and trained extensively with his unit during the early years of the Global War on Terror. However, before he could deploy overseas, Driver suffered a mountain biking accident that resulted in a fractured sternum. The injury led to a medical discharge from the Marine Corps in 2004.

Although his military career ended earlier than expected, Driver has often spoken about how transformative the experience was. The discipline, structure, and sense of purpose he found in the Marines stayed with him long after leaving active duty.

Reflecting on his service years later, Driver said, ❝I loved being in the Marine Corps, I loved my job in the Marine Corps, and I loved the people I served with. It's one of the best things I've had a chance to do.❞ Following his discharge, he attended the University of Indianapolis for a year before reapplying to Juilliard, where he was accepted into the school’s prestigious drama program.

While at Juilliard, he co-founded Arts in the Armed Forces with his wife Joanne Tucker, a nonprofit organization that brings high-quality theater performances to active-duty service members, veterans, military families, and civilians around the world. The organization was inspired in part by Driver’s own experience transitioning from military life back into civilian society and his belief that the arts can create meaningful connections and understanding.

Driver’s acting career steadily grew through theater, television, and film. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Adam Sackler in HBO’s *Girls* before becoming internationally known as Kylo Ren in the *Star Wars* sequel trilogy. His performances in films such as *Marriage Story*, *Ferrari*, and *Paterson* established him as one of the most respected actors of his generation.

Adam Driver’s path from Marine mortar man to award-winning actor remains one of the more unique military-to-Hollywood stories in recent memory, shaped by both service and a continued commitment to supporting the military community.

Address

PO Box 764769, 5661 Mariner Drive
Dallas, TX
75237

Telephone

+18777677175

Website

http://www.airsho.org/, http://www.cafgiftshop.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Commemorative Air Force posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Commemorative Air Force:

Shortcuts

Share