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Presentation: Zero First Flight – April 13, 2024 11am

First Flight / Zero Presentation, April 13, 2024

April 1st, 1939, Kagamigahara Air Base outside Nagoya, Japan, the first Mitsubishi A6M1 prototype takes to the air with test pilot Katsuzo Shima at the controls. The test flight goes well, with only a slight tendency to vibrate noted, corrected by changing from a two-bladed variable-pitch propeller to a three-bladed constant speed Hamilton-Standard propeller license built under agreement with the US company. Mid-1943, the Solomons, enter the US P-38 Lightning and the Vought F4U Corsair, and things start going south. In between, the Zero rules!

On Saturday April 13th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will conduct a presentation remembering the 85th anniversary of that first flight of the Zero. Come hear about the legendary start and subsequent painful ending of the iconic Imperial Japanese Navy’s A6M Type 00 fighter.

11AM to 2PM Saturday April 13, 2024 – Suggested donation of $15 per person, your support helps “Keep ’em flying!”

2024-03-09T13:05:50-07:00March 9th, 2024|Featured|

Presentation: The U2 Spy Pilot, March 16

Spy Pilot / U-2 Presentation, March 16, 2024

Thank you for coming out to see our recent presentation.

The son of famed U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers presents the facts and dispels misinformation about the Cold War espionage program that turned his father into a Cold War icon, having been shot down in a U-2 spy plane over the Soviet Union in May 1960. On his return to the United States, Powers was exonerated of any wrongdoing while imprisoned in Russia, yet a cloud of controversy lingered until his untimely death in 1977. On Saturday March 16th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport is hosting the son, Francis Gary Powers Jr., who has written a new account of Powers’ life, delving into old audio tapes, letters his father wrote and received while imprisoned in the Soviet Union, the transcript of his father’s debriefing by the CIA, other recently declassified documents about the U-2 program, and interviews with the spy pilot’s contemporaries. Come hear about this and the son’s journey to understand his father, pursuing justice and a measure of peace. Almost sixty years after the fact, this is a fascinating piece of Cold War history.

We are working on the video replay, but for now please check out his website at: http://garypowers.com/

2024-03-25T20:01:46-07:00January 23rd, 2024|News|

Presentation: Vietnam Stories with Dan Petkunas Video Replay

Video Replay: Vietnam Presentation, February 24, 2024

 

Over the course of his twenty-four-year military career, Lt Col Dan Petkunas has received three Distinguished Flying Crosses and eighteen Air Medals. He is a veteran F-4 Phantom Weapons Systems officer with over 200 combat missions in Vietnam. On Saturday February 24th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport hosted Dan for one of his entertaining talks.  In his presentation Dan described the F-4 Phantom and some of his stories from the Vietnam War. He educates and entertains, eliciting audience laughs from his life-threatening situations.  Here is the video replay for your enjoyment:

 

 

2024-03-09T12:58:25-07:00January 3rd, 2024|News|

Presentation – Charlie Plumb Video Replay

Charlie Plumb Presentation – Video Replay

Vietnam vet, fighter pilot, POW.  Now one of the most sought-after achievement speakers of his time, Charlie Plumb’s presentations are as he is: sincere, straightforward, humorous, and tailored to motivate each specific audience he encounters.  On Saturday December 9th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport hosted Charlie for one of his riveting talks.  His insights on how to cope with the difficulties as well as the opportunities in life have a positive impact on those who hear his message, those who read his books, and those who come to know him as a friend.  Thank yo for coming out to hear him speak.

Please enjoy the video replay.

2023-12-14T21:06:45-07:00November 24th, 2023|News|

Presentation Video Replay – The Utilities Unsung Heroes

Utilities Presentation, Video Replay

 

Unsung heroes.  Behind the scenes, unheralded workhorses that played just as pivotal a role in the outcome of World War II as the front-line fighters and bombers.  On Saturday November 4th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport hosted an event focused on three of these noteworthy toilers, the Fairchild F-24 Argus, the North American L-17 Navion, and the Alon YO-55 Aircoupe.  The presentation covered notable aspects and history of these aircraft, remarkable in their own right, and their impact on the war effort.  

Enjoy the replay here:

 

2023-11-24T21:30:14-07:00October 4th, 2023|News|

Primary Trainers Presentation, July 22, 2023 Replay

Primary Trainers Presentation, July 22, 2023 – REPLAY

 

Airpower came into its own as a force of military power in World War II … and proved pivotal. Tens of thousands of young men got their wings and led the charge in what would become an overwhelming force.  How’d the Western Allies do it? On Saturday July 22nd the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will conducted a presentation about the Primary Training program and the Primary Trainer Aircraft that helped set the foundation for Victory. Here is the replay of that presentation.

2023-09-09T12:53:33-07:00June 22nd, 2023|News|

US Attack Aviation Presentation, June 17, 2023 – Video Replay

From the Red Baron to Top Gun … 1916 to the Present sea and air stories by Naval Aviators and Air Force Fighter Pilots, and the men who built their airplanes. On Saturday June 17th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport hosted PhD and retired USAF Brigadier General RG Head who shared research from his latest book about the differences between Air Force and Navy Light Attack aircraft, pilots, and their unique cultures. Dr. Head’s US Attack Aviation book is available for sale on Amazon. 

Here is the video replay of the presentation.

2023-07-09T15:07:14-07:00May 21st, 2023|News|

V-E Day Presentation May 13, 2023 – Video Replay

Thank you to all who came out to see our presentation: V-E Day on May 13, 2023

This May marks the 78th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day, May 8, 1945), celebrating the formal acceptance of Germany’s surrender in World War II.  Little talked about in the German Luftwaffe are the Messerschmidt ME-108 Taifun personnel transport and liaison aircraft and the Fieseler Fi-156 Storch liaison and covert operations aircraft.  

Here is the video replay:

 

2023-07-09T15:31:41-07:00April 16th, 2023|News|

Into Flight Once More – Presentation Video Replay

Thank you all for coming out to our first Presentation for 2023!  

Into Flight Once More: Epic D-Day 75th Anniversary Journey to Normandy

Replay Video Below

The film INTO FLIGHT ONCE MORE brings the history of June 6, 1944 to the present to life through the lens of the C-47 D-Day Squadron and their epic re-creation journey across the North Atlantic to Normandy for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.  On Saturday March 4th the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing at the Camarillo Airport will host a viewing of this inspirational film, which is narrated by Hollywood star and military supporter Gary Sinise.  

 

 

2023-04-16T13:35:09-07:00February 4th, 2023|News|

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