Valiant Air Command history

Speedy · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:52 pm

So maybe some of the old-timers can fill me in on some history. Many moons ago I read "The Saga of Iron Annie" by Martin Caidin. I can't recall the specifics, but he explained that there was a group of pilots who were part of the Florida Wing of the Confederate Air Force...probably circa 1976 or 77. They loved to go fly and ended up doing more airshows than CAF Headquarters wanted, or were flying 'unsanctioned' shows, or something to that effect...and that ultimately the CAF took away their charter and that the remains of the Florida Wing was the genesis of the current Valiant Air Command.

Does that story sound about right? Anyone around who might have any first-hand stories about that, or can give details?

I think there was only a 'core group' of 10-15 pilots that were the splinter group from the Florida Wing of the CAF. Caidin was one of them. And a guy...I want to say Pete Sherman was his name??? He had a P-38 that he and his wife flew...they were killed when they flew into a thunderstorm or something. Perhaps the Whittington brothers were involved in this group too, since they had a Corsair, Buchon, A-26, etc. about that time. I guess the geek in me is curious if anyone knows who the original members were, what airplanes they flew, and the 'truth' about what happened and why.

Pictures????

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:57 pm

Kinda curious myself about this one too.

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:59 am

Hey Speedy, I wish I could be of assistance, but this was way before my time.......... Alan

67N20 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:27 am

Copies available @ Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/ ... 239&sr=8-1

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:27 am

I'm sure someone out there can give you the true story. What you have written is sort of how I understand it, but if Caiden wrote it, it could have some embellishments.
Jerry

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:50 am

Thats news to me, we were down there in the early 80's with the VAC. Had a great time, I do remember the split and the formation of the Wings of War group but I dont remember hearing any involvement with the CAF.

Dan K · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:51 am

The "History" section at VAC's website reads:

Started by a group of 17 individuals in 1977...

(Well, it's a start. :oops:

)

Gary Norville · **Joined:** Sat Apr 02, 2005 10:13 am **Posts:** 92

The VAC started with a group of people that left the CAF to form their own Warbird Museum Organization due to of all things politics, some of them were George Baker, Harry Doan (D), Doug Clark (D), Conrad Yelvington and Caiden (D) to name a few.

They originally looked at locations in New Smyrna for the museum but ultimatly ended up in Titusville. In recent years the organization has been run by a guy named Loyd Morris, who has really expanded the museum and its aircraft.

The Wings of War (Worms) were another off shoot of the VAC, politics again, but their organization quickly fell apart.

The 80's shows were amazing, between Harry Doan, David Brady, Randall Porter and many others the place was loaded with all types of fighters and bombers and in multiple numbers.

Gary Norville · **Joined:** Sat Apr 02, 2005 10:13 am **Posts:** 92

The VAC started with a group of people that left the CAF to form their own Warbird Museum Organization due to of all things politics, some of them were George Baker, Harry Doan (D), Doug Clark (D), Conrad Yelvington and Caiden (D) to name a few.

They originally looked at locations in New Smyrna for the museum but ultimatly ended up in Titusville. In recent years the organization has been run by a guy named Loyd Morris, who has really expanded the museum and its aircraft.

The Wings of War (Worms) were another off shoot of the VAC, politics again, but their organization quickly fell apart.

The 80's shows were amazing, between Harry Doan, David Brady, Randall Porter and many others the place was loaded with all types of fighters and bombers and in multiple numbers.

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:02 pm

Loved those 80's Shows!
Really good times!
Jerry

Speedy · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:14 pm

Gary Norville wrote:

The 80's shows were amazing, between Harry Doan, David Brady, Randall Porter and many others the place was loaded with all types of fighters and bombers and in multiple numbers.

Yes, that is kind of my memory too...amazing shows at TICO to open the 'season'. Madera faded away in the late 80's as well. As did Breckenridge, and, and, and, and......

T J Johansen · **Posted:** Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:18 am

Speedy wrote:

Madera faded away in the late 80's as well. As did Breckenridge, and, and, and, and......

Just my luck. I went to Madera in 90 and Breckenridge in 91. They were but a shadow of themselves... :cry:

And after having read the airshow reports in Air Classics throughout the 80s I was not a happy man.

T J

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:48 am

T J Johansen wrote:

Speedy wrote:

Madera faded away in the late 80's as well. As did Breckenridge, and, and, and, and......

Just my luck. I went to Madera in 90 and Breckenridge in 91. They were but a shadow of themselves... :cry:

And after having read the airshow reports in Air Classics throughout the 80s I was not a happy man.

T J

Sounds very much like what I encountered at the Wings of Eagles shows from 99 to around 03 I believe.

Warbird Information Exchange

Valiant Air Command history

Who is online