Tag: Commemorative Air Force

B-24 Diamond Lil flies again

The CAF B-24/B-29 Squadron has announced on its Facebook page that its B-24 “Diamond Lil” returned to the air on October 22 for the first time in over two years. During this time, the bomber’s interior was restored and three of the engines were overhauled. Diamond Lil is one of only two airworthy B-24 Liberators …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2018/10/28/b-24-diamond-lil-flies-again/

C-47 “Blue Bonnet Belle” destroyed in accident

The C-47 Blue Bonnet Belle N47HL (Photo D. Miller (CC BY 2.0))

The C-47 “Blue Bonnet Belle” of the Commemorative Air Force’s Highland Lakes Squadron has been destroyed in an accident as the aircraft was departing for Oshkosh. Of the 13 people on board at the time of the crash, 7 were injured, including one with significant burn injuries who was airlifted to the hospital. The aircraft was totally …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2018/07/22/c-47-blue-bonnet-belle-destroyed-in-accident/

“That’s All, Brother” flies again

The Douglas C-47A Skytrain “That’s All, Brother”, the aircraft that led the aerial invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, has flown again. The aircraft, whose unique history had somewhat been forgotten, hadn’t flown in nearly a decade and was scheduled to be converted to a turboprop by Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Commemorative …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2018/02/02/thats-all-brother-flies-again/

CAF SoCal Wing Yak-3 flies again

After being grounded for 8 years, the Yak-3 of the Commemorative Air Force’s SoCal Wing flew again today. Find out more on the CAF SoCal Wing’s Facebook page or website.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2017/03/09/caf-socal-wing-yak-3-flies-again/

CAF Dixie Wing P-63 Kingcobra flies again!

“After more than 40 years since it’s last flight, 16 years of restoration, being effected by the Mississippi River flood of 1993 and countless man hours by the dedicated volunteers of the CAF Dixie Wing, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing Bell P-63A-6 Kingcobra serial number 42-68941 flew for the first time on Saturday …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2017/02/20/caf-dixie-wing-p-63-kingcobra-flies-again/

“Tuskegee Airmen” P-51C flies again

The P-51C “Tuskegee Airmen” operated by the CAF Red Tail Squadron was damaged eight months ago in a landing accident in Dallas, TX. The aircraft was taken to AirCorps Aviation for repairs and flew again on December 1st with Doug Rozendaal at the controls.Rozeendaal reported that “there were no issues with the test flight and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2016/12/04/tuskegee-airmen-p-51c-flies-again/

Nine P-40 to gather for AVG’s 75th anniversary in September

Nine Curtiss P-40 will attend the 3rd annual CAF Atlanta Warbird Weekend on September 24 & 25 for the 75th anniversary of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the “Flying Tigers”. This will be the largest gathering of P-40 in recent times. The event, hosted by the Dixie Wing, will take place at Dekalb-Peachtree …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2016/07/21/nine-p-40-to-gather-for-avgs-75th-anniversary-in-september/

CAF SoCal PBJ-1J Mitchell flies again after a 23-year restoration

After a 23-year restoration by the Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, “Semper Fi”, the world’s only airworthy PBJ-1J Mitchell, flew again on May 15 in Ventura. Visit the CAF SoCal’s website for more information and photos.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2016/05/23/caf-socal-pbj-1j-mitchell-flies-again-after-a-23-year-restoration/

P-51C Mustang “Tuskegee Airmen” damaged in wheels-up landing

The P-51C Mustang “Tuskegee Airmen” of the Commemorative Air Force’s Red Tail Squadron was damaged in a wheels-up landing yesterday in Dallas. Pilot and Unit Leader Bill Shepard walked away from the accident unhurt. The restaured aircraft made its first flight in 2001 and was used to honour the memory of the Tuskegee airmen. In …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2016/02/04/p-51c-mustang-tuskegee-airmen-damaged-in-wheels-up-landing/

P-39 Airacobra “Miss Connie” returns to the skies

The CAF Central Texas Wing announced yesterday on its Facebook page that its P-39 Airacobra “Miss Connie” flew again, after a lengthy and major maintenance effort. The fighter is to be cleaned and repainted before resuming its airshow displays. “Miss Connie” is a Bell P-39Q Airacobra (serial number 42-19597)  which served in the USAAF during …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2015/03/14/p-39-airacobra-miss-connie-returns-to-the-skies/

B-24 “Diamond Lil” slightly damaged in landing mishap

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Diamond Lil” was slightly damaged in an incident at Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina last Saturday. The aircraft, which is operated by the Commemorative Air Force, was being used for tours and was carrying 16 people. At the end of one of the tours, the crew decided to abort the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2012/05/28/b-24-diamond-lil-slightly-damaged-in-landing-mishap/

OY-1 Sentinel returns to the air

A restored Stinson OY-1 Sentinel returned to the air after a 10-year restoration on January 16 at Franklin Municipal Airport. The aircraft was restored by the Commemorative Air Force Old Dominion Squadron at Franklin Municipal Airport.  The plan was to restore the plane to near-original condition as a Marine Observation Squadron 6 OY-1. Source

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2012/02/05/oy-1-sentinel-returns-to-the-air/

Kate replica makes a belly landing in Arizona

On Monday 26 September at 8:50 AM, the replica of a Japanese B5N “Kate” torpedo-bomber operated by the Tora! Tora! Tora! group of the Commemorative Air Force ran into engine trouble while returning to Texas from an airshow in Bullhead City. With his engine out, pilot Bill Fier immediately picked a cotton field near Thatcher, …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/09/28/kate-replica-makes-a-belly-landing-in-arizona/

West Houston Squadron’s C-60A Lodestar flies again

The West Houston Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force flew its C-60A Lodestar “Goodtime Gal” (s/n 2478) for the first time on August 26 after an eight-year restoration period. The flight crew for the flight was composed of Aubie Pearman (pilot), Stan Bloyer (copilot), Jim Placette (flight engineer) and Stan Turner (observer/scanner). Ulf Brynjestad acted …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/08/28/west-houston-squadrons-c-60a-lodestar-flies-again/