A few weeks ago I went out to the Commemorative Air Force Museum in San Marcos for Community Impact Newspaper.
I’ve been to the CAF a couple of times. It’s a really interesting place. They house WWI and mostly WWII airplanes, and best of all, they’re all air-worthy.
Clint Epley (pictured) is in charge of the museum and he knows just about everything there is to know about every aircraft they have on display. That’s him in the large photo above with a Bell P-39Q Airacobra, their most rare airplane. It was getting some minor repairs when we were there, but Epley said it’s one of only two aircraft of it’s kind in the world that are air worthy.
Almost everything about this museum is authentic. The airplanes, of course, have their own history, but some of the mechanics (fewer and fewer these days) who volunteer their time at the CAF flew these airplanes in combat. Even the hanger is WWII era, built with wooden beams.
Annie Drabicky, who wrote the story, was there with me and Epley told us all about every airplane. The B-25 Mitchell Yellow Rose is one of their most popular and largest aircraft.
He showed us how the back of a 1944 OY-1 Sentinal aircraft’s tiny rear compartment transformed in to a place to carry an injured soldier.
He explained all of the work that went in to making sure these airplanes pass inspection.
And he showed us the newest aircraft to join the CAF – a BT-13. It had just been stripped to inspect and repair every piece separately.
The hanger is definitely the highlight of the tour, especially if you can get Epley to be your tour guide, but there’s also a more traditional exhibit area. It includes model planes, military uniforms, cameras used to take aerial surveillance photos, posters and memorabilia, among other things.
If you ever get the chance to go, it’s worth the trip. It’s free, but a $3 donation is recommended. They offer flights too, but those aren’t free. Really, though, it’s a great thing to witness.
Click here to read Annie Drabicky’s story and see more photos.
All photos were taken with a Nikon D700 and a 24-70mm f 2.8 lens. ISO varied. All ambient light with the exception of the Yellow Rose photo, which used an SB-910 hand held.