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 Kingdom 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
Commemorative Air Force United Kingdom 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
HRH Prince Philip Duke Of Edinburgh
CAF UK Wing express our deepest condolences at todays sad news of the passing of HRH Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh. Honorary CAF Colonel RIP Your Royal Highness.
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.
rIBBON cUTTING FOR THE CAF NAEC
The CAF "Henry B Tippie National Aviation Education Centre- find out about the momentous achievement and formal ribbon cutting for this brand new CAF facility.
Feb 2021- Visit AIRSHIP HERITAGE
CAF UK Wing members visit the historic Cardington Airship Hangers- Find out about this historic British "Lighter Than Air" heritage site and the history it played in airship development.
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.
JAN 2021- VINCENT J SPeranza- commemorative watch
CAF UK Wing is pleased to announce our partnership with Praesidus watches to bring you the limited edition WW2 Commemorative watch. Celebrating the service of WW2, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment- 101 Airborne Division veteran- "Vincent J Speranza."
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.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and support our UK Mission to "Educate-Inspire-Honour" the achievements of the greatest generation from WW2. Your generous donation will directly fund CAF UK Wing in our UK based projects and mission.
Commemorative Airforce Family
CAF Wings and Squadrons
