MESA, Ariz. – On Saturday, April 2, 2011, The Commemorative Air Force will provide an exhibit to illustrate Falcon Field’s origin as a training base for British Royal Air Force (RAF) and U.S. Army Air Corps pilots during World War II. Veterans who trained and instructed at Falcon Field during the war will be present to share their memories about the past. Also Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS) will share their experiences when in 1942, the United States was faced with a severe shortage of pilots, and leaders gambled on an experimental program to help fill the void: Train women to fly military aircraft so male pilots could be released for combat duty overseas. These WWII Veterans will be at 4636 East Fighter Aces Drive (located just north of McKellips Road between Greenfield Road and Higley Road) at Falcon Field Airport for the Falcon Field Open House .
The City of Mesa is hosting the third annual Falcon Field Open House on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Falcon Field Airport. The Open House will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The following are the WWII Veterans at the Commemorative Air Force
Ms. Geri Nyman, Phoenix, AZ; WWII Womens Airforce Service pilot (WASP);
Ms. Lee Doerr, Scottsdale, AZ; WWII Womens Airforce Service Pilot (WASP);
Mr. Horace Griffen, Casa Grande, AZ; Cadet Pilot Instructor, #4 British Flying Training School;
Mr. Ken Beeby, Tempe, AZ; RAF Cadet, Course 11, #4 British Flying Training School;
Mr. Dennis Barber, Desert Hot Springs, CA; Cadet, Course 26, #4 British Flying Training School;
Mr. Dick Cooper, Mesa, AZ; RAF Cadet, Course 24, #4 British Flying Training School;
Mr. Donald Flower, Medford, OR; RAF Cadet, Course 25, #4 British Flying Training School
Mr. Herman Laabs, Mesa, AZ; WWII C-47 pilot; participated in the D-Day invasion and Operation Market Garden dropping paratroopers and pulling gliders; oldest CAF Arizona Wing volunteer at 93 years of age.
This year’s Open House celebrates Falcon Field Airport’s 70th anniversary and continues its annual theme of “Runways, Roads and Rails” featuring a variety of transportation displays using Falcon Field Airport as the backdrop for the event.
The Open House will feature static aircraft displays consisting of helicopters, vintage war birds, experimental aircraft and general aviation planes. Boeing, MD Helicopters and the Mesa Police Department will have helicopters on display, along with the Mesa Fire Department’s airport fire truck.
A classic car show, military vehicle display, model railroads and a radio-control aircraft display will round out the multi-modal transportation exhibits. There will also be cultural, community and local business displays to visit along with food and nostalgic music.
Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum located at Falcon Field will be flying their WWII B-17 Bomber name ‘Sentimental Journey’ at 11:00 a.m. Their aircraft and museum will be on display and open to the public.
The bombers and trainers are maintained and operated as a flying museum and memorial by the all-volunteer non-profit Commemorative Air Force, Arizona Wing Aviation Museum based in Mesa, AZ at Falcon Field Airport. The Arizona Wing members restored the 1944 WWII B-17 Flying Fortress “Sentimental Journey” which is the most fully restored B-17 flying today. There are roughly 8 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world. The B-25 Mitchell Bomber “Maid in the Shade” is a veteran with 18 combat missions flying out of Corsica during WWII. The restoration to bring “Maid in the Shade” back to flying condition took 28 years and was completed last May. The SNJ trainer and L-16 were the types of aircraft that trained pilots at Falcon Field during WWII. The Arizona Wing Aviation Museum and its restored aircraft and artifacts span over 90 years of aviation history.
B-17 flights are available for $425.00 waist section and nose seat are available for an upgraded price. You can make a reservation on the B-17 by calling 602-448-9415 or by visiting the gift shop.
B-25 flights are available on “Maid in the Shade” for $395 per person for the waist section and behind the flight deck are available for an upgraded price. You can make a reservation on the B-25 by calling 480-322-5503 or by visiting the gift shop.
SNJ and L-16 flights are available on the SNJ for $275.00 per person and $95.00 on the L616. You can make a reservation on the SNJ or L-16 by calling 602-448-2350 or by visiting the gift shop.
Admission cost for the Commemorative Air Force Museum on April 2, 2011:
Ages 13-Adult $10.00, Ages 12 and under are Free. The museum is located at 2017 N. Greenfield Rd, Mesa, AZ at Falcon Field Airport.
About the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum:
The Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum maintains and flies several WWII aircraft including the Boeing B-17 “Sentimental Journey.” The Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum operates the aviation museum located at Falcon Field airport, Mesa, AZ (
http://www.azcaf.org)
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