PRESS RELEASE                                    Long Island’s Vietnam War veterans will receive the Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal in a solemn ceremony signifying the official end of United States involvement in the Vietnam War.  Conducted by the Long Island Air and Space Forces Association and hosted by the American Airpower Museum, the ceremony takes place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, starting at 11:30 a.m., and honors 30 local veterans who served various branches of the U.S. Military ..read more

PRESS RELEASE Two esteemed Texas-based non-profit organizations, the Battleship Texas Foundation and the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), will jointly commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy, commonly known as D-Day, which took place on June 6, 1944, by sending historic artifacts of Battleship Texas on a present-day mission to Normandy. This summer, the CAF will dispatch aircraft to Europe to partake in commemorative events, paying homage to the significance of this pivotal moment in history. USS Texas with the starboard torpedo blister removed during its recent restoration ..read more

In the annals of military history, few acts of valor and audacity shine as brightly as the Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942. This daring bombing mission, led by Lieutenant Colonel James “Jimmy” Doolittle, struck a resounding blow against Japan during World War II, boosting American morale and setting the stage for subsequent strategic operations. However, behind the legendary raid lies a lesser-known but crucial element: the rigorous training undertaken by the brave aviators, which took place at Eglin Airfield, Florida. A B-25 taking off from the deck of CV 8 Hornet as it sets off with fiftee ..read more

By Adam Estes When the Douglas DC-8 was first flown in 1958, it was just the second American jetliner produced, second only to the Boeing 707, and was among the first narrow-body, four-engine jetliners that opened up travel to the world as no other means of transportation have done before.  Today, however, the DC-8 is a relic of a bygone age in commercial aviation, and only a few examples have survived to become museum pieces.  One of the last operational DC-8s, N817NA, will soon be retired from service nearly forty years after it was acquired by the National Aeronautics and Space Ad ..read more

PRESS RELEASE The B-25 bomber Miss Mitchell from the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Minnesota Wing will be touching down at the Bemidji Regional Airport (BJI) in Minnesota over Father’s Day weekend. The tour stop hosted by EAA Chapter 1397, AirCorps Aviation, and Bemidji Aviation Services will allow members of the public to experience this amazing piece of World War II history up close. History flight experiences will be offered on Saturday and Sunday June 15th-16th. The B-25 Miss Mitchell launches for another mission. [Photo via Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing] The North American B-25 M ..read more

PRESS RELEASE Aviation buffs will have the chance to climb into the hot seats of around a dozen jets, helicopters and other aircraft at the Yorkshire Air Museum (YAM), as the attraction near York prepares for another Open Cockpit Day. The event, which is staged twice a year, allows visitors to sit in the pilot’s seat of aircraft that are normally not accessible to the public. A museum visitor takes a selfie in the YAM’s Douglas Dakota at a past open cockpit event. [Photo via Yorkshire Air Museum] On Saturday April 20th the aircraft on offer will include two of the stars of last year’s major Co ..read more

With a steadfast commitment to preserving its esteemed aviation heritage, the Aeronautica Militare (AM) is taking proactive steps to ensure that its legacy continues to soar. Embracing innovation and forward-thinking initiatives, the Italian Air Force has announced plans to embark on a journey that celebrates its rich history and contributions to aviation. By safeguarding iconic aircraft, fostering educational experiences, and embracing technological advancements, the Italian Air Force is poised to lead the way in honoring its past while inspiring future generations of aviators. One of the h ..read more

By Adam Estes When the Douglas DC-8 was first flown in 1958, it was just the second American jetliner produced, second only to the Boeing 707, and was among the first narrow-body, four-engine jetliners that opened up travel to the world as no other means of transportation have done before.  Today, however, the DC-8 is a relic of a bygone age in commercial aviation, and only a few examples have survived to become museum pieces.  One of the last operational DC-8s, N817NA, will soon be retired from service nearly forty years after it was acquired by the National Aeronautics and Space Ad ..read more

By Charles Scott Williams of the B-29/B-24 Squadron via CAF On The Fly For the past two days, I had the pleasure of working on the B-29 Superfortress FIFI. My assigned task was to help install the carburetor on the #1 engine. This massive contraption for the R3350 engine weighs somewhere in the ballpark of 35 pounds and sits atop the aft portion of the engine. Seems like a simple task. Sit this heavyweight carb on it’s designed position and simply install a few washers and bolts to hold it in place. After that simple task, run the aircraft safety wire through all the bolts to prevent them from ..read more

The first time an aircraft “chased” the totality of a total solar eclipse was in 1973 when the Concorde prototype, loaded with scientists, remained in totality for over an hour as it streaked across northern Africa at more than 1,500mph. In the past seven years, one area or another of the Continental United States has experienced three eclipses- two total and one annular- and thanks to social media and the continuing development of advanced digital cameras of all shapes and sizes, these celestial events have been documented from aircraft ranging from private paragliders and RV-4s to NASA WB-57 ..read more