This past Saturday, August 31st, 2019, we held our most recent aircraft presentation: World War II beings – the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II.
The focus of our presentation was the the airplane that started a pilot’s training: The SNJ Texan. Here is that presentation recorded and preserved.
Air Show update: Success!
If you were there, then you probably had a blast – and if you missed it, then try to come next year for sure! No one got hurt, the temperatures stayed low, and everyone had fun = success.
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped out – and Thank You to everyone who came out to watch
Here is the video recap hot off the video press!
In remembrance of D-Day, June 6, 1944, the Southern California Wing of CAF celebrated the 75th anniversary of one of the most pivotal events in military history.
Another memorable and safe Memorial Day at CAFSoCal in Camarillo, CA.
Here is one of our cadets, Robert Crawford, playing the violin, and Mike Hodson on the flag.
July 13, 2019 is the day of the Truckee Air Show where the CAF So Cal wing will be selling rides in the Man O’War P-51 Mustang. For more information on the air show, visit their site here: Truckee Air Show 2019
We hope to see you there!
Since we have been adding new presentation videos fairly consistently, we decided to add a permanent home for these videos. You can now access them from the top main menu under AIRCRAFT.
Here is the link as well: Aircraft Presentations
And a very special thank you to all volunteers and staff for your hard work in getting this valuable information down on video for all to experience.
We would like to express our sincerest condolences to the friends and family of David Vopat, the pilot of the Planes of Fame’ Northrop N9MB ‘Flying Wing’, both recently lost in a crash just outside of Chino, CA. Dave was a pilot and mechanic at Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, CA, and played a major role in the preservation and operation of this one-of-a-kind aircraft. More detailed information can be found on their website located here: Tribute to David Vopat
The N-9M was a unique national treasure and the fatal crash has left us deeply saddened. Our thoughts are with the pilot’s family, our Planes of Fame friends and the warbird community at large, all of whom are deeply effected by the sorrow of this loss.
We realize that an unfortunate event like this will raise the question of risk vs. reward, so we are including here a recent post from our social media outlets by one of our own volunteers:
“Why do we do this? Why take on the risks of operating vintage aircraft, sometimes paying that ultimate cost?
Far from being adrenaline junkies pushing the latest energy drink, in our opinion, we do this to follow our passions and seek a connection with the brave men and women of an important part of our collective history. To not do so, would condemn these aircraft to becoming dusty, soulless relics in museums and within pages of history books, soon to be forgotten along with what they stood for and the price that was paid by a generation of people to preserve our freedoms.
It offers little comfort to the larger surviving family of this tragedy, but thank you for doing what you do, may we take some solace from the thought that to follow one’s passions in life is a blessing few can boast. We’ll miss the N9MB and even more, our friend who has traded one set of wings for another.”
Effective April 1, 2019, the price of a 20 minute ride in Our P-51 Man-O-War is $1895. The additional time rides have been adjusted accordingly
This past Sunday February 24th the Modelfest was again held at the Commemorative Air Force, Southern California Wing’s Museum (455 Aviation Drive Camarillo, CA 91010). This annual event is a Model Contest and Swap Meet. There are 43 different categories, 8 of which will be in the junior category.
If you missed out this year, just make plans now for next year. Plans are already in the works for Modelfest 2020 in February 2020.
As always, this event is sponsored by Ventura Hobbies and the Commemorative Air Force.
For more information call Vern Morseman @ 805-658-8138 or view the website at VenturaHobbies.com
Join us for another instalment in the Living History Presentation series.
Hear from our historians, maintenance personnel and pilots about the YAK3 fighter and take your chance to get a closeup view of the cockpit.
Saturday, April 27, 2019
11AM- 2PM
CAF SoCal hangars at the Camarillo airport
Flyer
