About CAF History

Sasquatch · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 11:56 am

The interesting discussion (in another thread) about the CAF looking for a new superbase had this input from Brad (edited for brevity]:

Brad wrote:

People forget that the CAF and all it entails was conceived and originally operated in a light hearted way. [snip] The CAF had a very serious mission but it was gone about in a fun manner. [snip]...but the light hearted part was also part of the draw.

[snip]...then there is a whole bunch of fun stuff in the history of the CAF [snip]...Jethro Culpepper, Throckmorton T. Beauregard, the Rebel Ball, the Geritol Award, the Order of the Brass Jackass, and the Silver Magnolia Blossom (depending on why and how it was awarded.)

Good input, Brad! This is how I remember the early days of the CAF. It all sounded like so much fun, which is why I'm now a member. So, thank you for those great reminders.

And now for the main point of this thead...

How about someone explaining what all those awards and names meant? Give us a little history lesson, please...I'd love to know more about those early days.

Thanks!

--Tom

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7827

The good ole days when men were men and planes were white. (or close to it)

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7827

According to WIKI, "The CAF's fictitious commander-in-chief was given the name Jethro Culpepper in keeping with the Southern spirit of these mystical flyboys".

While were talking 'old school' CAF ....

Original source and photographer unknown for the above photos.

Sasquatch · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 5:52 pm

Great photos Mark!

--Tom

SaxMan · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 7:01 pm

I would hypothesize that a lot of the informality evaporated when the value of warbirds increased dramatically. In the 1960s, almost anyone could get into the warbird game and pick up whatever old plane was sitting at a nearby airport, or at worst, a few buddies pitched in to purchase a plane. They could fix it up however they could, paint it however they thought and have a dandy time.

Once owning and operating a warbird became serious business, requiring large amounts of capital, the era of the good 'ol boys throwing around some iron on weekends went out with it, too. That may not have been such a bad thing. How many planes and lives were lost because safety standards were not adhered to, if they even existed? With the capital investment required in restoring, owning and operating warbirds, there is now also the expectation that the investment also buys authentecity. Again, that may not be a bad thing.

What has changed is that unless you have a significant amount of money, or have significant aviation connections, being an individual warbird owner and operator is out of reach for most people. That is why organizations like the CAF are so important, as it gives many the opportunity to join into the warbird game without sacrificing an arm and a leg.

I've always found that we tend to look back with rose colored glasses and the "good old days" weren't quite as good as we want to recall them. I welcome the CAF's greater emphasis on education. If we can't get the next generation interested in these airplanes, who is going to take care of them, let alone keep them flying, when we're no longer around to do so?

Robbie Stuart · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 7:17 pm

Mark Allen M wrote:

According to WIKI, "The CAF's fictitious commander-in-chief was given the name Jethro Culpepper in keeping with the Southern spirit of these mystical flyboys".

While were talking 'old school' CAF ....

Original source and photographer unknown for the above photos.

Mark that is great stuff, & I hope you keep digging it up. :drink3:

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7827

Thx Robbie, I'll try my best :wink:

SaxMan wrote:

If we can't get the next generation interested in these airplanes, who is going to take care of them, let alone keep them flying, when we're no longer around to do so?

Although I do agree with the majority of your 'hypothesis' ... IMHO there will quite sure not be a down grade in interest in warbirds in the near or far future. Anything that at a minimum holds it's market value will always be of interest to investors, even to those who have no, or very little, interest in old airplanes. As long as an item continues to climb in value (as is the case with most types of warbirds) there is always going to be great interest. As far as investors who will have an interest in owning a warbird to fly as opposed to simply own?, I believe those years are numbered. If not already the case, you will be seeing more and more private investors in such items as warbirds who have very little to do with operating the airplane and you will begin to see severe restrictions as to what one can do when and if flying a warbird owned by private investors. Unfortunately as has been discussed here before, I see the numbers of warbirds not in decline, nor interest in warbirds on the decline, but more and more warbirds ending up in private non-flyable collections, static museums etc.

Kyleb · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 7:58 pm

SaxMan wrote:

I would hypothesize that a lot of the informality evaporated when the value of warbirds increased dramatically. In the 1960s, almost anyone could get into the warbird game and pick up whatever old plane was sitting at a nearby airport, or at worst, a few buddies pitched in to purchase a plane. They could fix it up however they could, paint it however they thought and have a dandy time.

Once owning and operating a warbird became serious business, requiring large amounts of capital, the era of the good 'ol boys throwing around some iron on weekends went out with it, too.

The other thing to remember is that in the '60's these were relatively new airplanes - 15-20 years old, there were lots of NOS parts for everything, and prices were cheap. So, not much wore out, and even if it did, the parts were available and cheap. Beyond that, the airplanes weren't worth much, so fixing them with baling wire and duct tape wasn't out of the question.

As you implied, it is a whole new ballgame today.

Sasquatch · **Posted:** Mon May 20, 2013 10:51 am

Sasquatch wrote:

[snip]...then there is a whole bunch of fun stuff in the history of the CAF [snip]...Jethro Culpepper, Throckmorton T. Beauregard, the Rebel Ball, the Geritol Award, the Order of the Brass Jackass, and the Silver Magnolia Blossom (depending on why and how it was awarded.)

Good discussion, guys, and thanks again for posting those great shots, Mark.

But what about all those early awards? Does anyone know what they were given for?

How about someone explaining what those awards and names meant? Give us a little history lesson, please...I'd love to know more about those early days.

Thanks!

-Tom

Robbie Stuart · **Posted:** Mon May 20, 2013 11:40 am

I will give you an example of qualifications for "The Brass Jackass Award", for example if you are flying an SNJ in the air show "Trainer Flyby", & you are having to carry a lot of power to keep with everyone else, then you might be a Jackass with your landing gear still down, & what really sucks is if you are the guy in the backseat and the intercom is broke, & you can't pull the gear up from back there, only put it down! IIRC this particular pilot did it TWICE. Only once with me in the back, never flew with him again. :shock:

Robbie

K5DH · **Posted:** Mon May 20, 2013 12:19 pm

Well, I'll be... Col. Culpepper is from my home town!

Randy Wilson · **Posted:** Mon May 20, 2013 3:56 pm

If any of you are members of the CAF, just log into the members only section of the website and locate under CAF Regulations, CAFR 900-1 Awards and Decorations. Here is the text for the Brass Jackass:

"Award of the Order of the Brass Jackass - awarded to the CAF Officer who has demonstrated the single most ridiculous or irresponsible act of judgment or skill while serving in any capacity with the CAF. There will be only one Brass Jackass, which will pass from the holder to the next Officer demonstrating superior qualifications for the award. Each officer's name shall be inscribed on the award."

Randy

Speedy · **Posted:** Mon May 20, 2013 6:44 pm

Randy Wilson wrote:

If any of you are members of the CAF, just log into the members only section of the website and locate under CAF Regulations, CAFR 900-1 Awards and Decorations. Here is the text for the Brass Jackass:

"Award of the Order of the Brass Jackass - awarded to the CAF Officer who has demonstrated the single most ridiculous or irresponsible act of judgment or skill while serving in any capacity with the CAF. There will be only one Brass Jackass, which will pass from the holder to the next Officer demonstrating superior qualifications for the award. Each officer's name shall be inscribed on the award."

Randy

So, uh.....did Whittington get it for flying the Buchon into the ground while hot-dogging?

Taylor Stevenson · **Posted:** Mon May 20, 2013 8:34 pm

Randy Wilson wrote:

If any of you are members of the CAF, just log into the members only section of the website and locate under CAF Regulations, CAFR 900-1 Awards and Decorations. Here is the text for the Brass Jackass:

"Award of the Order of the Brass Jackass - awarded to the CAF Officer who has demonstrated the single most ridiculous or irresponsible act of judgment or skill while serving in any capacity with the CAF. There will be only one Brass Jackass, which will pass from the holder to the next Officer demonstrating superior qualifications for the award. Each officer's name shall be inscribed on the award."

Randy

And if you look at the names inscribed upon the great statue of the Brass Jackass, you'll find the names of some of the best pilots in the CAF.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

Man, if only I could be that good!

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