The fascination had to start somewhere ...

[Mark Allen M]

... mine started with the old Confederate Air Force stuff. Especially their Hellcat. Loved this old scheme. Saw these photos for sale on ebay and reminded me of where it all started for me. As much as some people like to bag on the CAF for one reason or another, I'm grateful they gave me the bug. It's been fun ever since.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291801784695?rmvSB=truel
No date or location given that I can see.

[Mark Allen M]

The good ole days when the CAF was the Confederate Air Force ... and to me that group title has nothing to do with any nonsense other than it's the groups founding title that seemed harmless. But I get it why they felt the need to change it to what it is today. The decision was honorable and respectful. It's as simple as that ..... Go!!! CAF and keep up the great work. It's not easy.

A few more color slides from back when men were men and that wore cowboy hats and funky uniforms ...

[Sasquatch]

Outstanding, Mark; thanks for posting that tribute. When I was a kid, the Confederate Air Force was the coolest (and just about the only) thing going for warbirds, and they made a similar impression on me at the time. (early '60's). Like you mentioned, the "Confederate" part of the name had nothing to do with human rights issues and was, in fact, quite humorous...suggesting that happily rogue former service and rebellious Texan types were quietly building their own air force to keep the Yankees at bay. Air Progress magazine articles of the time about the group highlighted this humorous aspect, pointing out that at air shows on military bases the rebels were always scrounging for airplane parts and usable bits from active service folks, etc., all somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but also probably not too far from the truth...and getting help like that from service men and women in positions that allowed for that. The name change helped them survive in an era of distinctly different tone in the public discourse, but I also believe the CAF is a force for good in this country and in the warbird movement. They've certainly been great for me over the years, and in large part account for my own interest in warbirds and military history, and for that I'm very grateful to the CAF! They truly "keep 'em flying!"

-Tom

[Mark Allen M]

Some more rebels with a cause ...

[Mark Allen M]

I believe these photos were taken around 1979 at harlingen tx
Loved the P-38's that hung out with the rebels ...

[p51]

I can't say where my interest in warplanes came from. Generally, though, I'm interested in all manners on military hardware, so I guess it came from that. But I'm also interested in railroads, and I can't point to anything specific that started that interest, either. My Dad was an electrical mechanic for the USAF on F-86Ds in the late 50s and never had much interest in airplanes. So, beats me where it comes from...

Outstanding, Mark; thanks for posting that tribute. When I was a kid, the Confederate Air Force was the coolest (and just about the only) thing going for warbirds, and they made a similar impression on me at the time. (early '60's). Like you mentioned, the "Confederate" part of the name had nothing to do with human rights issues and was, in fact, quite humorous...suggesting that happily rogue former service and rebellious Texan types were quietly building their own air force to keep the Yankees at bay.

Growing up in Florida, I saw the joke from the first time I ever heard of them. We didn't get much CAF stuff coming out this way, but every now and then we'd see a plane coming in to the local airport. There was a 'good old boy' vibe to the group that I guess couldn't have sustained itself in this PC age.

Last edited by p51 on Tue Jul 12, 2016 5:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Lynn Allen]

Isn't that Gen/Col Reg in the F-6 in the first couple of pictures??

[Randy Wilson]

Lynn - yes it is a younger Reg but it is an F6F!

Randy

[b29flteng]

The B-25 pictured, "I See No Problem" (N3161G), was the warbird I started my airshow career with. I was about 16 years old when I started to help with the restoration and flew on it as crew chief from about 1975-1978 when it was sold.

Thanks for the memories!

[b29flteng]

The Colonel flying the TBM appears to be Dr./Col. Robert Wick.

[Mark Allen M]

Another favorite ...

[Mark Allen M]

So who did you's state this gent is again?

[Mark Allen M]

Three more lovely B-25's from 1979. assuming these were at Harlingen.


North American B-25 N9456Z 327638 (1979)


North American B-25 N3156G 458885 (1979)


North American B-25 N201L (1979)

[Dave Downs]

CAF Harligen, 1980. my first encounter with warbirds other than what is saw flying around the family farm in the late '40s and early '50s (mostly Corsairs and Hellcats)

[CoastieJohn]

Heck with the PC-ism. I like the name Confederate Air Force....Florida guy sends.