About Us
Established in 1957
Established in 1957
Established in 1957
It began with a single plane.
Lloyd Nolen and a small group of ex-service pilots from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas pooled their money to purchase a P-51 Mustang in 1957. They formed a loosely defined organization to share the pleasure and expense of maintaining the Mustang.
A short while later, the group added a pair of F8F Bearcats to t
It began with a single plane.
Lloyd Nolen and a small group of ex-service pilots from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas pooled their money to purchase a P-51 Mustang in 1957. They formed a loosely defined organization to share the pleasure and expense of maintaining the Mustang.
A short while later, the group added a pair of F8F Bearcats to the P-51 Mustang. At this point, the mission of the CAF became clear: save an example of every aircraft that flew during World War II ~ a mission no one else was undertaking.
What started as a hobby became an urgent mission to preserve history.
Who are we
Established in 1957
Established in 1957
Commemorative Air Force United KIingdom Wing, is the UK branch of the Commemorative Air Force. The Worlds largest flying Museum, dedicated to the preservation of Historic Warbirds., Headquarters in Dallas Texas.
Commemorative Air Force UK members are active supporters of the main CAF mission, assisting with fundraising and promotion of th
Commemorative Air Force United KIingdom Wing, is the UK branch of the Commemorative Air Force. The Worlds largest flying Museum, dedicated to the preservation of Historic Warbirds., Headquarters in Dallas Texas.
Commemorative Air Force UK members are active supporters of the main CAF mission, assisting with fundraising and promotion of the CAF across the UK.
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is a 501 (c) 3 Texas non-profit organization dedicated to flying and restoring World War II aircraft. The organization's headquarters offices are based in Dallas, Texas, at Dallas Executive Airport. At this time the organization has more than 11,000 members and has a fleet of more than 175 World War II aircraft. CAF United Kingdom is a UK based branch of the Worldwide CAF organisation.
Mission
Established in 1957
Mission
The CAF was founded to acquire, restore and preserve in flying condition a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States, and selected aircraft of other nations, for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations .
More than just a collection of airworthy warplanes fro
The CAF was founded to acquire, restore and preserve in flying condition a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States, and selected aircraft of other nations, for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations .
More than just a collection of airworthy warplanes from the past, the CAF's fleet of historic aircraft, known as the CAF Ghost Squadron, recreate, remind and reinforce the lessons learned from the defining moments in American military aviation history.
Latest News
Official Incorporation
NOV1- 2020 CAF UK has been formally incorporated into the worldwide CAF family as the "Commemorative Airforce United Kingdom Wing". Since our re-establishment of a UK branch we have steadily seen our numbers swell, to around 40 UK members, If you are interested in becoming a CAF Colonel member, and supporting the mission to "Educate-Inspire-Honour," then please don't hesitate to drop us a line. You do not have to be a qualified pilot or aviation mechanic to get involved with supporting the CAF mission.
Replica P51 Cockpit- "One More Time"
We are excited to introduce our latest CAF UK addition. Courtesy of CAF Col Gary Dean, we are please to introduce "One More Time"- the fantastic P51 Cockpit replica. Look out for this great immersive ground experience at a show next year in 2021. Experience what its like to climb into a P51 Mustang, and the virtual reality of flight.
Progress with CAF NAEC
Watch the live stream Update from Dallas Texas- as The Henry B Tippie- National Aviation Education Centre nears completion- This facility will provide a centre of excellence for CAF worldwide mission to "Educate Inspire and Honour"
CAF- Covid 2020
During the Covid 19 Lockdown the CAF United Kingdom has been extremely busy with our online platforms. With no physical airshows and Military shows occurring in UK, and those which do cancelling because of Covid 19 restrictions it has been difficult for us to get out and meet the public fans for CAF. We have therefore concentrated on our online communications on the facebook platform for our devoted fan and supporters.
During the last 6 months CAF United Kingdom has been instrumental in bringing our audience a number of great online resources and events, in association with our fantastic colleagues at Commemorative Airforce HQ in Texas, our great family of CAF Wings and Squadrons and other aviation/ show partners around the world.
If you are not already signed up to follow us on Facebook - please reach out to our CAF UK Facebook pages, where you will find the most up to date information and news for the CAF in the United Kingdom.
To Mark the 75th Anniversary of the end of WW2, CAF along with a host of private warbird owners and operators gathered in Washington DC for the "Arsenal Of Democracy Flyover". This saw the largest gathering of fully operational WW2 Warplanes in one place, ranging from light observation "L Birds", through a multitude of fighters and fighter bomber types, and including the medium and heavy bombers of WW2. The event took more than 2 years of planning and was made possible by the fantastic sponsorship of the Bob Hope Legacy foundation. .
CAF Visit to Bottisham
CAF at the opening of the Bottisham Airfield Museum- A Historic WW2 U.S.A.A.F Fighter station..
CAF Visit Watson Watt Memorial
Development of Radar- Find out about the unknown people behind the development of Radar and the significance of engineer Mr Arnold Wilkins- At the Watson Watt Radar Memorial.
CAF at VAC Flyin
CAF at The Vintage Aircraft Club - Fly in at Turweston Airfield UK.
In September CAF provided a promo stand at the VAC/ LAA fly in meet at Turweston.
CAF remembers VJ Day 75th.
To Commemorate and recognize the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the formal surrender of the Empire of Japan, onboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo bay in 1945, the CAF organised a number of tribute flyover events. Two flyovers in commemoration of the signing of the Japanese surrender in 1945. The Commemorative Air Force Inland Empire Wing's D-Day Doll led a formation of war-birds over Southern California, and the CAF Wildcat flew with the historic warbird flight over the USS Missouri , now stationed at Pearl Harbor Hawaii, adjacent to the USS Arizona Memorial. The Flyover at Oahu, Hawaii, was a joint effort from US War-bird organisations and private operators, under the sponsorship of the
National Co-Chairs - Bob and Elizabeth Dole and Presenting Sponsor – Bob Hope Legacy.
Both CAF flyovers were live streamed to the international audience . To Find out more click link below.
CAF visit Skymaster
On July4th CAF members had the opportunity to visit North Weald Airfield- to see the great work being undertaken by the "Save the Skymaster" preservation group. Check out this important work and the fantastic project to help save one of the most historically significant variants of this historic warbird.
CAF at Sywell Museum
In July 2020 CAF attended the Sywell Aviation Museum, Book and Model sale event. See the "out and about "section for more details:-
CAF at Shuttleworth
In July CAF UK attended the worlds first "Drive In" air show- To Comply with UK Covid 19 restrictions, the great folks at the world renowned "The Shuttleworth Collection" in Bedfordshire UK, staged the worlds premiere "Drive In airshow".
Socially Distant Airshow- "Sun n Fun"
During the Covid Lockdown CAF UK promoted the unique opportunity for Airshow enthusiasts in UK to participate with the online fundrasing efforts of the Socially Distance Airshow. Organised by the Live Airshow TV, and ICAS international Council of Air Shows Foundation. The Commemorative airforce "Tora Tora Tora" featured amongst the online acts presented in this unique online virtual airshow extravaganza. If you havent seen it, check out FB and youtube channles for Live Airshow TV and Sun n Fun... "The Airshow that Never Happened". www.facebook.com/FlyingMagazine/videos/662664107635860/
coming events 2020 season
Unfortunately due to the ongoing situation with Covid 19, we have had a number of events cancelled where CAF UK was scheduled to attend.- Harborough at War, The Victory Show, Wicksteed at War among others.. As the 2020 show and event season unfolds, and we are able to attend shows we will let you know on our FB pages. It'll be great to meet our fans and supporters in person, but of course safety of our members and the general public is our first priority. Please take opportunities to support the CAF and wider warbird/Airshow community with the large number of fundraising activities online, to ensure that these magnificent war birds are ready to take to the air, when restrictions are lifted. If you havent done so already consider joining the Commemorative Airforce, to get involved with the fantastic worldwide community of warbird enthusiasts, preservation and displays, to help keep the stories of the greatest generation from WW2 and the magnificent machines they flew in the air, and telling the stories for future generations- Inspire-Honour-Educate.
Promote current deals
Support the Commemorative Airforce B29/B24 Squadron in their fundraising efforts, to keep B29 FiFi and B24 Diamond Lil in the air. Checkout the great promotional limited edition FiFi "Sneakers" available as part of the fundrasing efforts. caf.formstack.com/forms/b29sneakers
Share the big news
The Commemorative Airforce Education department , and a number of CAF Wings and Squadrons has produced a great series of online webinar presentations, on a wide variety of war-bird topics, ranging from Historical information and presentation, to walk around's of the CAF war-birds, and special events with veterans and distinguished guests. Check out the various CAF Facebook and squadron websites.
Commemorative Airforce Family
CAF Wings and Squadrons
