2011 CAF Airshow

By Joe Gonzalez

The Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (AKA the Warthog) prepares for landing. (Joe Gonzalez)The annual Commemorative Air Force Airsho was almost cancelled! The amount of liquid sun (rain) on Sat., Oct. 8 was more than the last years total!  The weather-god must have heard the frustration and comments of the many pilots, the audience, the vendors, and the many CAF members in attendance. At noon, the scheduled time for the opening ceremony, the weather took a change for the better!

The Pearl Harbor reenactment, Tora, Tora, Tora, is always a crowd pleaser, and this year had more Tora aircraft than have been seen for several years.  Some of the show’s other highlights included the American Volunteer Group (The Flying Tigers) and the opportunity to see the new Texan II trainer that is now coming into use by the US military.

The CAF’s C-53 Skytrooper (used for cargo and paratroopers). This very aircraft’s rich history included dropping paratroopers over Normandy France on D-Day (June 6, 1944), being used in Operation Market Garden, and supplying the troops during the Battle of the Bulge. (Joe Gonzalez)The Americans Train for War segment included the primary trainers, the L birds (including the L5), and aircraft used for observation. As part of this segment, pilot’s graduated from basic to advanced trainers including the famous T-6 Texan built by North American Aviation (the Navy designation is the SNJ, the British and Canadian’s called them the Harvard). This fully aerobatic aircraft is still widely used.  

The next big step for the new pilot’s career included going to the two- or four-engine bombers, or single- or twin-engine fighter aircraft.  Twin-engine bomber type aircraft included the B-25 Mitchell (named after Billy Mitchell), the A/B 26 Invader from Douglas or the B-26 Marauder from Martin. Four-engine bomber types included the B-17 Flying Fortress from Boeing (also built under license by other aircraft manufactures), the B-24 Liberator from Consolidated Vultee (also built by Ford Motor company at Willow Run), and the Boeing Super Fortress B-29 (about 3,700 Super Fortress’s were constructed).

Curtis SB2C. This aircraft has a well-earned nickname – care to guess what it is? Carrier Launched Torpedo Plane. This is currently the only airworthy example. Less than 10 of these aircraft are still known to exist. (Joe Gonzalez)The Naval War segment of the show, for the Pacific Theater, included several aircraft types. The TBM torpedo carrier launched aircraft and the SB2C (built by Curtis Aircraft) were just a couple. One of the most popular, crowd-pleasing European Theater passes was the B-24 Ploesti wall of fire. This year’s, 500- to 600-foot-wide explosion produced a very large volume of thick black smoke and a lot of heat.

Moving halfway across the globe to the China, Burma, and India (CBI) Theater, was the famous “Flying The Hump.” Aircrews of C-46s, C-47s (cargo aircraft) and other aircraft brought badly needed supplies. The CBI Theater of operations would have been much more difficult without the airlifted supplies.  F8F Bearcat and P-51 demonstrations pleased the crowd.

Each day the flying closed with the missing man formation to honor those who remain on patrol. A grateful nation owes a never-ending debt of thanks to all the brave men and women lost in harms way. 

CAF founder Lloyd P. Nolen had a vision of honoring Americans who’s outstanding service in the air, during times of armed conflict, reflects the highest skill and honor. This year’s inductees to the American Combat Airmen Hall of Fame are the following: 

     1) Colonel Walter Boyne, USAF (retired): Col. Boyne accumulated 5,000 hours of flying aircraft ranging from the T-6 to the B1B Lancer. Included in Col. Boyne’s background is time spent as a nuclear test pilot for the 4925th Nuclear Test Group. After his retirement in 1974 he joined : Color Guard prepares to display the colors during the opening ceremony. (Joe Gonzalez)the National Air & Space Museum serving as acting director in 1981 and became the director in 1983. Col. Boyne is also a well-know author with some 45 books to his credit. Col. Boyne has served as host for several well-known television series and many guest appearances.

     2) Second Lieutenant Orville W. Main: His varied career include the USAF, The Commemorative Air Force, and many parts of the civilian aviation industry. Types of aircraft expertly flown by this aviator range from the B-17 to the 747. 2nd Lt. Main flew 35 combat missions while stationed at Bury St. Edmonds, England with the 331st Bomber squadron. Working for American Airlines included piloting the Boeing 747.

     3) Brigadier General Steve Ritchie: A graduate of the USAF Academy, Gen. Ritchie has flown more than 800 combat hours and more than 4,000 The B-2 Stealth Bomber. Seldom does the public get a look at the topside of this aircraft.(Joe Gonzaleztotal flight hours. Brig. Gen. Ritchie is a very accomplished pilot, businessman, and motivational speaker. He is a national spokesman promoting aviation, America’s free market’s, and national security.

      4) Colonel Harry Spannaus, USAF (retired): An Air Force fighter pilot with 239 combat missions flown during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, he flew many aircraft with just completed major maintenance and modifications, and fully explored the range of their performance. Col. Spannaus received 43 declarations for distinguished and heroic service to his country.

      5) The Ravens Forward Air Control (FAC): The bounty for a Raven during the Vietnam War was $5,000 alive or deceased. The Ravens were part of the secret war in Laos during the Vietnam War. They had only one A CAF Tora Tora Kate, sporting a new paint scheme, takes off for the Tora Tora segment of the show. (Joe Gonzalez)primary objective and that was to provide Tactical Air Support to the indigenous forces of Laos – mainly the Mong Laos. They were also in conflict with the armed forces of North Vietnam.                                   

The Rise Above exhibit, honoring the Tuskegee Airmen made its CAF debut at this show. I had the honor to visit and see this outstanding exhibit and movie. The Saturday show was followed by an Aaron Tippin concert, “Red, White and Loud” with FiFi, the world’s only flying B-29 Super Fortress as the backdrop. This was an awesome sight and performer, and will surely not be forgotten.

For readers who have not been to the Commemorative Air Force Headquarters in Midland, Texas, I strongly encourage you to make the trip. The nationally recognized museum, plus the largest collection of existing and authentic WWII nose art, truly makes the CAF a national treasure.  Having many members and parts (wings, squadrons and detachments) in the USA and in several countries, the CAF truly hosts “The Best Warbird Show in America.” Plan on attending this unique educational show and experience in the fall of 2012. Hope to see all of you there.