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So far Lucien Pillai has created 7 blog entries.

Presentation Jan 24th 2026 – Crosby’s Curse

Set in the Southwest Pacific in WWII, they were young boys, flying untested B-24 Liberators into battle off dirt runways after a few short weeks of training against a tenacious enemy. Nothing in their training prepared them for what they would face in the skies over New Guinea. On Saturday January 24th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will host author Russell Low as he guides us through his story celebrating the brave and selfless men who fought in one particular B-24 Liberator. Known as “Crosby’s Curse,” this B-24 of the 90th Bomb Group of the 5th Air Force flew into battle in the skies over the Southwest Pacific in the early darkest days of the war.  Weather, operations, and maintenance permitting, CAF SoCal will fly one of our warbirds for you. So, come join us on January 24th to hear author Russell Low honor these men who flew for their country and for their namesake, Bing Crosby.

2025-12-27T15:38:46-07:00December 15th, 2025|Event, Featured, News|
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Presentation Nov 8th 2025 – Mass Production

During World War II, American manufacturers produced massive amounts of material and supplies for the U.S. military and our allies. The Lionel toy train company started producing items for warships. Ford Motor Company produced B-24 bombers. Packard built Merlin engines. On Saturday November 8th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will conduct a presentation on American mass production in support of the war effort, focusing on building and staffing the massive factories that would produce war-winning equipment.  Weather, operations, and maintenance permitting, CAF SoCal will fly one of their warbirds for you.

CAF SoCal’s iconic, flyable aircraft will also be on display, like the venerable Supermarine Spitfire, the agile Mitsubishi A6M Zero, and the Zero’s nemesis the F6F Hellcat.  For the adventurous, rides for hire will be available in several different vintage military aircraft.  Light snacks will also be on hand for those wishing a quick bite.

So, mark your calendars to hear logistics expert John Lowe give us insights into how America became the WWII Arsenal of Democracy..  Saturday November 8th, 11:00am at the Commemorative Air Force museum at the Camarillo Airport, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, California.  For more information visit the CAF website at cafsocal.com.  Experience living history.

2025-11-15T14:16:53-07:00October 20th, 2025|Event, Featured, News|
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CANCELED B-17 Sentimental Journey September 22-29, 2025

 

EVENT CANCELED
CAF Airbase Arizona
B-17 Sentimental Journey
Visiting CAF SoCal September 22nd – 29th, 2025

NOTE: Public viewing only during special museum hours.
Wed 9/24 – Thu 9/25: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Fri 9/26 – Sun 9/28: 09:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Sentimental Journey, a Douglas B-17G Flying Fortress will be visiting our museum from September 22nd through September 29th.  You will have an opportunity to see this beautiful historical aircraft up close, and they will also offer rides. Sentimental Journey is one of only 3 B-17s in the world still flying today.

Pricing: 

$475 USD per waist compartment seat (6 available)
$850 USD per Bombardier/Navigator Seat(2 available)
* Limited availability, book today to guarantee your once in a lifetime experience.

During this special event our museum will be open as follows:

Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM:

  • Ground tours only, no flights.

Friday through Sunday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM:

  • Scheduled flights: 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 12:00 PM
  • Ground tours: 2:00 PM till 5:00 PM (Museum doors close at 4:00 PM)

Museum Admission: (includes a ground tour)
$20 per person
$35 for a family of 4
NO charge for paid riders and their family. (Friday – Sunday only)

IMPORTANT: If you purchased a ride on the B-17, please arrive one (1) hour before your scheduled flight time.
Flight times: 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM.

Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona, Flying Legends of Victory Tour. Rides subject to change/cancellation from weather, mechanical/other factors. Waiver must be signed.
2025-11-15T14:53:58-07:00September 15th, 2025|Uncategorized|
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POSTPONED – Bearcat Restoration Update September 13th, 2025

We regrettably had to postpone this event until 2026. Please check back next year when we post our Living History event schedule.

In 2018, the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport began a comprehensive ground-up restoration on its Grumman F8F Bearcat. Stalled due to COVID, the restoration team resumed the project in 2021. The group is meticulously restoring this aircraft to ensure it meets historical accuracy and airworthiness standards. Now, in the critical phase of reassembly and painting, they are nearing the end of their restoration project. On Saturday, September 13th, CAF SoCal will conduct a presentation updating attendees on the progress of the intensive restoration and the road to returning the Bearcat to airshows and flyovers, where it has always been a crowd favorite due to its impressive speed, powerful engine noise, and aerobatic maneuvers.

CAF SoCal’s other iconic, flyable aircraft will also be on display, like the venerable Supermarine Spitfire, the agile Mitsubishi A6M Zero, and the Zero’s nemesis, the F6F Hellcat.  For the adventurous, rides for hire will be available in several different vintage military aircraft.  Light snacks will also be available for those seeking a quick bite.

So, mark your calendars to hear (and see!) the progress of this remarkable restoration in anticipation of soon seeing the Bearcat in flight alongside CAF SoCal’s F6F Hellcat, A6M3 Zero, and PBJ (B-25) Mitchell, a breathtaking tribute to Naval aviation history.

This event will take place on Saturday, September 13th, 2025, starting at 11:00 AM at the Commemorative Air Force aviation museum located at the Camarillo Airport, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, California.  Come and experience living history firsthand!

A suggested donation of $15 per adult will be requested at the door.  Thank you for supporting our nonprofit museum.

2025-08-23T18:04:45-07:00July 20th, 2025|Event, Featured, News|
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Presentation Jun 28th 2025 – Game of Drones

Living History Presentation

Game of Drones
by Rich Martindell

Saturday, June 28th, 2025

Author Rich Martindell, a former Air Force fighter pilot, transitioned to “fly” MQ-9 Reaper drones, and captured in his book Game of Drones, his experiences and impressions along the way. The Wing hosted Rich, who compared his experiences of flying the F-4 and F-15 in the Air Force with flying the MQ-9 on military missions as a civilian contract pilot. Rich addressed the differences between flying manned and unmanned aircraft in military operations as well as the reasons drone operators can suffer PTSD when flying from the safe confines of a control van miles out of harm’s way. Watch the entire presentation by clicking on the video link above.

2025-11-20T14:41:15-07:00June 20th, 2025|Event, Featured, News|
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Presentation: Shot Down, April 26, 2025

Come out and join us for our next presentation:  Shot Down by Steve Snyder

 

Author and speaker Steve Snyder’s father, Howard Snyder, was a B-17 pilot stationed in England during World War II.  On February 8, 1944, his plane was Shot Down over the French/Belgium border after a mission to bomb Frankfurt, Germany. On Saturday November 9th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will host Steve Snyder, who will reveal the true story of events leading up to and after that harrowing day.  Of the B-17’s ten-man crew, some died, some ended up in prison camps, and some evaded capture. The event will conclude, weather, operations, and maintenance permitting, with CAF SoCal flying their T6 Texan SNJ “290” for you. Join us to hear author Steve Snyder take us through the travails of the B-17 Susan Ruth, Shot Down.

Location: CAFSoCal Museum at 11am on Saturday – suggested donation: $15.00 per person – Thank You!  Your donation helps us “Keep ’em flying!”

 

2025-04-01T17:25:11-07:00March 29th, 2025|Featured|
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© 1981 – Copyright Commemorative Air Force, Inc. except as otherwise marked. All rights reserved. The Commemorative Air Force of Southern California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and while admission to the museum is always free, donations help us preserve aviation history.

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CONTACT

Hours: Thursday – Saturday 10am to 4pm, and Sundays 12pm to 4pm.

Phone – (805) 482-0064

Public Information Officer – Lucien Pillai (805) 300-4580
455 Aviation Drive Camarillo, CA 93010
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