"Colonel Culpeper's Flying Circus" ... The old CAF

[Mark Allen M]

As I'm sitting here in a hotel in LA ... ugh!!!, while looking for one thing I found another thing. For those of you who haven't seen this 1981 documentary about The old 'Confederate Air Force'. It's quite entertaining. Enjoy!

Mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WffpEgh3xzU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzTzFtmHkFg

And why not these guys again as well ...

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... -Airacobra

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... ing-a-jeep

[The Inspector]

My first exposure to the CAF was in a mid 60's issue of AIR PROGRESS (a great and much missed airplane rag).

[planenutti]

Having been a Col. myself since the mid-90's it is interesting to see how far the restoration efforts have come over the years (B-17's without top turrets). Also the changes in paint schemes, the Wildcat in USS Ranger colors that became the Wildcat in 'Butch' O'hare's colors that I worked on. It is also sad to see planes flying that have gone west themselves. There is also footage of the P-82 flying which I never got to see. There is also footage that shows the difference from air shows then and now. The folks at MAM might find the clips of 'Chuckie' of interest.
Keep'em ALL Flying

[Lynn Allen]

Sure miss talking with Lefty...

[SaxMan]

My first exposure to the CAF was an issue of "Boy's Life" that came out in late '76 or early '77. From what I've heard, anyone who was in Scouts on any level distinctly remembers that particular issue. They did have one typo -- they mislabelled the F4F as an F6F Wildcat or they called it an F4F Hellcat instead a Wildcat. I can't remember which one...it's been a couple of years.

[FG1D Pilot]

I was there in the film Swearing in with "Tennessee" Ernie Ford. It is fun to see so many Col.s I knew through the years.

[soko121]

Thanks for showing this, have the DVD somewhere, but had not seen it in a while.
look at the sheer numbers of aircraft that made it to Airsho. You cant fly like that any more either. I fondly remember the times at Old Rebel Field also in the early 80's and still miss conversing with Lefty and Lloyd. True Patriots that made a difference. Also a good Segway into Memorial Day weekend and what it means to each of us. Has much changed from Lefty and Lloyd's comments about the status of the county and how people have forgotten what sacrifice was made by those that have gone before us.
I know i have not and am making sure my boys too will always remember....


Simon

[Sasquatch]

My first exposure to the CAF was in a mid 60's issue of AIR PROGRESS (a great and much missed airplane rag).

Same here Inspector. For me, it was a four-issue set of articles in Air Progress about Mike Dillion's P-40 Warhawk (the red one). I had just read "God Is My Copilot" by Robert L. Scott and I was wondering if any old fighter planes still existed (I was under 10 at the time, I think), so I went up to Woolworths, bought a Monogram P-40 model, and then found that first Air Progress issue at the drug store magazine rack. Talk about being in hog heaven! I was hooked on warbirds from that point forward. I loved the irreverence of Air Progress magazine...like you were in a private "man's" club with all the inside jokes about airplanes being like women, etc. Too funny!

--Tom

[T Ricketts]

Thank You for the links Mark. My first Airsho in Harlingen was 1972....I was 12. Great memories of those years and on into the late 80's. The whole warbird scene has changed a lot since then. I remember when the flight from New Zealand arrived one year - That was a party....Now days its a struggle to get one plane to fly across the US or to Canada for one show.

[Robbie Stuart]

I was there in the film Swearing in with "Tennessee" Ernie Ford. It is fun to see so many Col.s I knew through the years.

Me too, was the first time to "The Valley", what an experience. I went down there a week before AIRSHO and helped Walter Wooten with some maintenance issues on various aircraft. I had the once in a lifetime chance to work, & fly with folks that are the legends of the CAF. I was fortunate enough to do it 2 more times....................Long Ago, & Far Away.................I would not take anything in the world for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bipe215]

My first exposure to the CAF was in a mid 60's issue of AIR PROGRESS (a great and much missed airplane rag).

Same here Inspector. For me, it was a four-issue set of articles in Air Progress about Mike Dillion's P-40 Warhawk (the red one). I had just read "God Is My Copilot" by Robert L. Scott and I was wondering if any old fighter planes still existed (I was under 10 at the time, I think), so I went up to Woolworths, bought a Monogram P-40 model, and then found that first Air Progress issue at the drug store magazine rack. Talk about being in hog heaven! I was hooked on warbirds from that point forward. I loved the irreverence of Air Progress magazine...like you were in a private "man's" club with all the inside jokes about airplanes being like women, etc. Too funny!

--Tom

The first thing I looked for was Budd Davisson's or Mike Dillon's pireps. Always well written and great photography.
In fact I sent Budd some old issues that he needed for a Dillon birthday get together a couple of years ago.

Steve