News

The PBJ will be at Sacramento from September 26th to October 3rd. It will be part of the B-29 tour during that time.  You can schedule a ride while it is on tour by going to the Air power History Tour Page.

Enjoy the ride!!

As most of you know the Mustang’s engine is being repaired.  Our latest estimate of when it will be flying is now December 1.

All of our Fighters, save the Mustang (Engine Repair) have left for Reno.  They will return next Monday the 19th of September.

We are busy prepping the PBJ for an expected 1330HRS departure today, September 3rd, from Camarillo for a flyover at 1400HRS over LA Fleet Week in San Pedro. 

Come to the museum to see her take off and return to base, or just look up if you are in her flight path and you hear those sweet radial engines purr overhead.

We couldn’t be more proud of this warbird and its crew!

Here’s a report from Dan Newcomb along with a couple of images from the flyover:

This Labor day weekend ends the first L.A. Fleet Week ever. I found it hard to believe and somewhat sad that Los Angeles had never had a Fleet Week considering that before the war the Pacific Fleet battleships were home ported in Long Beach and that the navy had docks and other facilities in San Pedro for decades.

This flight was a sentimental journey for me. I grew up in this area and I worked at Douglas Aircraft just to the north. As we flew along the cliffs of Palos Verdes I remembered “Marine Land of the Pacific” now long gone and the derelict hulk of the ex-Liberty ship S.S. Dominator when it ran aground in ’61. When I was a kid the Navy was a big deal in the port. Destroyers, carriers, mine sweepers, and subs were based there. Just about every weekend there was a ship open for tours. Sailors were everywhere down town and at the Pike. The Long Beach Naval Shipyard was one of the biggest employers in the area. I even took my Private Pilot check ride over Long Beach Harbor 40 years ago.

We were due over the target at 1400hrs. Hohls was flying left seat and he blew it! He was 55 seconds early! With Fort MacArthur and Point Fermin off our left wing we turned north and headed up the main channel to over fly the battleship Iowa. Since the Navy left Long Beach in 1991 what used to be a home for the Pacific Fleet has been obliterated. The 17,000 employees and 38 ships based there at the time are history. The docks and piers and infrastructure is now one of the largest container ports in the world and the largest in North America. What used to be one of the biggest ships in the world, the battleship USS Iowa, is dwarfed by some of the container ships. As we made several passes over the harbor coming in low over the water, bomb bay open, I couldn’t help but think of the Doolittle Raid. I thought of this harbor during WWII and what was produced here for the war effort. My thoughts were of dedication and hard work and sacrifice made in a just cause. I reflected on how much has changed over all these years. How America has changed. After our multi-pass performance we turned south and headed out to sea like a phantom from that long gone epic moment in our nations past. A loud, blue, twin engine, attention getting flying reminder of a time when a nation stood together for the greater good. As we flew back to Camarillo I felt very satisfied and proud to have been able to take part in this special and long over due event. Flying low over the water along the beach at Malibu I saw…well that’s another story!

San Pedro California. LA Fleet Week 2016 PBJ flyover

Birdseye view of USS Iowa from aboard the PBJ during LA Fleet Week 2016 flyover

George Sands sent in these breath taking images from the rear gunner position aboard the PBJ during the overflight:

Long Beach as seen from the PBJ rear gunner position – photo by George Sands

Battleship row at San Pedro! -George Sands

Thanks to PBJ crewman Russ Babbitt for sending in this video of the view from the nose of the PBJ during the flight over San Pedro:

This means that it will be unavailable for rides at Camarillo until the tour is over.  If you have any questions call the museum (805) 482-0064

CAFSoCal members and friends may be interested to read an excerpt of an Email sent in to us from a recent Warbird Ride participant.

Just like to say a big thank you to all for such an amazing flight and day with the Socal CAF at Camarillo.
The family enjoyed the experience of the Airshow and long may it continue. A special thanks to Al Kepler my impromptu flight instructor and pilot.
I will make every effort to return in the not too distant future I wished we didn’t live so far away ….
Regards,

Peter H.

As you can see from the video below, Peter came a long way for his flight experience, and judging by the note we received, it was well worth the effort!

Thanks Peter!

All of the necessary parts have arrived at the engine re-builder.  We are expecting the engine to be completed and  delivered to us by the end of September.  After the installation of the engine and some test flying, we are expecting the Mustang to be available by November 1st.

The PT-19 will be unavailable for rides until November 1st.  It is down for planned maintenance.  You can still buy a ride and give the ride certificate to that special person on that special day (Birthday, Anniversary, etc.).  They can then call to schedule the ride for some time after the plane is due back in the air

Now Hear this….

The MilVet Expo (MVE) is a free annual event to introduce Active Military, Veterans and their families to emergency services, benefits, VA, counseling, legal help and family friendly fun available in Ventura County.

VCMilC, consisting of over 180 agencies who serve Ventura County Military, Veterans and their families offers a variety of free programs and events with the overall goal to improve services to the military community of Ventura County.

MVE is open to all branches of the military and veterans and highlights the many free programs, opportunities, agencies and employers who assist the military and veteran community.

Saturday
August 27, 2016
0945-1400
camarillo community center

The 2016 Wings Over Camarillo Airshow is in the books and what an airshow it turned out to be!

First – a great heap of thanks to ALL our numerous and tireless volunteers. Without you guys and gals this event would not have been possible. From ground crews, to PX volunteers, PA announcers, raffle sales folks, aircraft tour guides, FOD picker-uppers…. truly too many positions and people to mention. Thanks to all!!

In addition to being an awesome airshow, the event was a day of firsts for the CAF SoCal wing:

Two brand new aircraft made their flying debut at an airshow after their restoration process. Hats off to the PBJ and Fairchild F24 personnel.

The PBJ carried its first load of paid rides at the airshow! First of many to come, no doubt!

The weather was perfect, the aircraft were perfect (and spotless!), the food was great and the comradery was priceless! We hope you didn’t miss it. If you did, here’s a gallery of photos from the show, with more and videos to be added soon.

See you at Wings Over Camarillo 2017!!!

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A short video with a few snippets of the airshow:

Flight video from aboard the Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero:

Flight video from aboard the L29 Delfin Jet: