Flight Time II, Jon and the CAF Stearman

We've mentioned the close relationship between the Commerative Air Force (CAF), DFW wing and the Cold War Air Museum at Lancaster Airport in the past. This relationship lets us work together to bring visitors to the airport and our museums.

As with our aircraft, maintaining and keeping their aircraft (and the pilots that fly them) current, is a full time job. Jon, one of several Cold War Air Museum directors, who is also a life member of the CAF took this opportunity to exercise his stick and rudder skill in this fine example of flying history that the CAF keeps in top notch condition.

Like us, the CAF has a dedicated and skilled crew of volunteers that take care of their aircraft. We appreciate this great working relationship and invite you to visit their web site and facility when you come visit us.

With thanks and acknowledgment to the CAF for these fine photos.

Mi-24 Static Display gets Main Rotor Blades

The DFW wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) continues to make progress with their static display Mil Mi-24D in "front" of their hangar.

With the main rotor blades now attached, the "beast" looks more and more like its flying brother every week.

This project, which started a little over a year ago, is covered in more detail in the series of posts available by clicking on the "Bord 122" label below.

The CAF Museum is located at the opposite end of the airport from the Cold War Air Museum. Both are open on the weekends and within easy walking (or driving) distance of each other. Check our web sites for directions or detailed times and schedules, then come visit!

Mi-24 "Gate Guardian" work moves forward

The DFW wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has moved their static display Mil Mi-24D to the display pad in "front" of their hangar.

This project, which started a little over a year ago, is covered in more detail in the series of posts available by clicking on the "Bord 122" label below.

The CAF Museum is located at the opposite end of the airport from the Cold War Air Museum. Both are open on the weekends and within easy walking (or driving) distance of each other. Check our web sites for directions or detailed times and schedules, then come visit!

Mil, Mi-24 "Gate Guardian" Update

We've run a series of stories before about the Gate Guardian project here at Lancaster. This airframe, Bord 122,  became available for static display after one of the Mi-24 helicopters on its way to the Cold War Air Museum encountered a bridge (the disassembled helicopter was on the back of a truck at the time), while on its way to its new home.

After a series of events involving shipping companies, insurance companies and salvage bids, our sister museum on the airport, the DFW wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) received this donated airframe. Since then, they have been diligently working to bring the Mil up to display status. The external sheet metal, seen here, has received a number of repairs and the non-working transmission has been remounted and braced to receive a set of blades.

The CAF crew's patched and painted set of blades will be mounted later this summer.

When the exhibit is ready, its new home will be on a reinforced pad outside the CAF museum. The site will be visible from the main road feeding the airport. For more stories about the "Gate Guardian" project, click on the Bord 122 label. below.

Our friend Miguel recently visited the CAF end of the airport and added some photos of their planes to his Flikr page. We are looking forward to better weather so he can continue to add more pictures of both museum's aircraft.

Commemorative Air Force - DFW Wing

Our sister museum on the airport is the DFW wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).

The CAF has historically focused on aircraft of the WWII era. With a hangar full of aircraft on display, the DFW wing is a local attraction and our museums compliment each other in many ways.

Monthly meetings help keep the membership up to date and involved. The DFW unit has been successful at attracting new members and maintaining multiple flying aircraft, even in the present difficult economic times. A number of "CWAM" officers and directors are also active in the CAF and attended their meeting today.

The fun the group has together and the respect they have for each other was evident in the recognition, certificates and awards given out for the 2009 operating year. This handcrafted award is unique. Shirley, the recipient, is one of the many hard working examples of why this group is a success. By the way, we also like to attend their functions because they have food!

Among their many fund raising demands was this new propeller for their recently acquired Stearman. As announced at the meeting, "come see it", most aviation enthusiasts have never seen a NEW propeller for such a vintage aircraft.

The CAF R4D, a military version of the venerable DC3, is very popular at airshows. But keeping these aircraft flying is a constant job and requires constant fund raising. If you are a member of the DFW wing, bear in mind that these fine aircraft and this fine unit deserves your support.

If you are not a member, please consider visiting the CAF and the Cold War Air Museum at the Lancaster Airport. HAVE A FUN DAY with the kids (young or old) and help us continue to display and fly our aircraft, so our children (our future) can see, touch and experience a part of history.

Cold War Air Museum, Visitors Welcome

The Cold War Air Museum is located at Lancaster Airport (KLNC), south of Downtown Dallas, Texas. The Cold War Air Museum is open every Saturday from 10 until 4 and admission is free (tours and special events may be arranged at other times and visitor donations are gladly accepted).

The airport is also home to the Commemorative Air Force Museum and there are a number of businesses and places of interest nearby. The City, Airport and Museums host a number of events at the airport every year. Check our Current Events page from time to time for special event postings, especially during flying season. Driving directions can be obtained from the local area map page.

The following links may also be of interest to our local and long distance visitors.

The Cold War Air Museum is a member of the North Texas Association of Aviation Museums (NOTAAM). For a list of area museums and links to their web sites, visit the NOTAAM web site.

For information about places of interest and events in the City of Lancaster (a suburb of Dallas), visit the Lancaster Visitor's Information Center.

For information about things to do and see in Dallas, visit the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau.

A partial list of places to stay near the airport includes:

Holiday Inn Express Hotel
Super 8 Motel
MCM Grande Hotel
Spanish Trails Inn
Red Roof Inn

Thanks for visiting our web site. We hope to see you in person soon!

Return of the R4D

Our sister museum on the field, the Commerative Air Force (CAF), DFW wing, recently sent their transport aircraft off for some repairs. Always an attraction, we're glad to see her back.

The Civilian DC-3 type saw extensive service during WWII under several military designations, R4D being the U.S. Navy variant. This aircraft, equipped at the time with depth charges, saw service off the coast of the U.S. as a submarine spotter. The Cold War Air Museum, salutes this aircraft and the men and women of the CAF for their dedication in keeping this increasingly rare piece of history flying.

As the Officers and Directors of the Cold War Air Museum well know, repairs on aircraft always seem to take longer and cost more than expected. The DFW wing is fortunate to have on board one of the most succesful and dedicated fund raising teams in the State.

Charlie Wood, Wing Commander of the DFW squadron shared with us some of his stories from the unit and his fund raising experience. Not only are the dedicated members of this unit on track to pay for the R4D repairs, but another unit in the area is working with Charlie and his team as well, raising major funding for the B29 and B24 groups. All museums are facing critical times in the present economy and many, such as ours are busy learning how to do a better job of reaching out to the public for support.

Charlie is one of the many members of this group who have significant stories to tell about their experience, either in the Military or in Civilian attire. The Cold War Air Museum Blog will be featuring a historical series from those associates who are willing to share their stories in future posts. As stories are added to the blog, they can be aggregated (brought together for viewing) by clicking on the labels below each post.

Event Pictures - more planes (and some cars)

Continuing our coverage of the Commerative Air Force (CAF), DFW wing and Cold War Air Museum 9/05 event.

The Skyraider flew in from the Cavanaugh Museum.

This T28 lives here at the airport.

The B24 can be seen flying over this beautiful T6.

This pair of T6's flew throughout the day.

An An-2,


and an O-2 were among the visitors.

This aerial view shows the B24 about to take-off, its wingspan is wider than the runway.

Another crowd pleaser was the display of military and antique vehicles.

Thanks and picture credits go to Kevin, www.sectorkmedia.com. To aggregate the posts and pictures from this event, click on the 090509 label below.

CAF gets a Stearman

The close relationship between the Commerative Air Force (CAF), DFW wing and the Cold War Air Museum lets us work together to bring vistors to the airport and our museums. It is an exciting day whenever either of us brings a new exhibit on line, especially a historic flying exhibit.

The DFW wing won the competition for sponsership of this fine example of a Stearman trainer. Shown here are a number of the aircraft sponsers as well as other volunteers gathered to greet and receive the plane on its arrival Saturday.

Charlie checks the paperwork and condition of the aircraft, it is perfect.

As anyone who has flown a Stearman will tell you, it has to be flown "all the way to the chocks". As a WWII trainer, it taught thousands of avaiators that a moments inattention can bring disaster. The aircraft will groundloop in a heartbeat.

As a fine example of aviation history, "Niner-three-three" has found an excellent new home with a group that will appreciate her.

Another Career Day at LNC

The Goldenheart Foundation works with the Dallas Schools, especially with the Jr. ROTC programs, to expose them to role models and career opportunities. The Commemorative Air Force, DFW wing and The Cold War Air Museum have helped the organization bring several of these South Dallas events to the Lancaster Airport over the last few years.

As is appropriate, the events always begin with a flag ceremony. This event was estimated at over 700 people, slightly exceeding the career day in May. These events are generally scehduled around the start and end of each school year.

The F4U is a poignant background for the Navy information table. Services, academies and colleges display and recruit at these events.

The Mi-24 in the CAF hangar serves as a backdrop for the Air Force Academy table. While the kids may not know the history of the Mi-24, they understand about air power from all that they have seen on TV and at the movies.

Pete helps answer questions and lets the youngsters take a peek in the cockpit of our L29, a former Soviet jet trainer. While it doesn't seem as if the kids are as interested as "our" generation (of fifty years ago), prior generations did not have the stimulus rich environment of TV, games, movies and the internet that causes them to take so many of our modern marvels for granted.

A few of the kids asked questions and showed interest as we did when we were young. That is why we are here, today.

The Antonov came to the event and while few of the kids took the opportunity to learn of the use and history of this unusual bird throughout the U.S.S.R and China, those of us parked in the sun appreciated the sight of an airplane/exhibit that brings its own shade.

Event Pictures Continued - CAF and B24

Continuing our coverage of the 9/05 event.

The Commerative Air Force (CAF), DFW wing has co-ordinated this annual event for a number of years. The Cold War Air Museum is pleased to work with the CAF to help host this fine event.

The CAF hangar served as the focal point for visitors and displays.

This year's attendance exceeded that of prior years. This aerial shot in the morning shows some of the activity that went on and expanded throughout the day.The Cold War Air Museum relocated their Mi24 Hind helicopter, Mi2 Hoplite helicopter, Mig21 Mongol fighter as well as our L29 and L39 Delfin and Albatross trainers to the CAF ramp for the event. This helped with crowd control and created a dense and interesting series of aircraft displays when combined with the CAF aircraft.

A highlight of the event was the arrival of the B24. With only two currently flying in the U.S., this was a standout event for this show.

There was always a crowd around the B24 and every time it flew, more people arrived.

The B24 flew frequently during the event and the sight and sound was awesome.

Hats off to Charlie who made it all happen. As wing commander of the CAF group and a generally all-around great guy, we appreciate having the opportunity to work with him.

Thanks and picture credits go to Kevin, www.sectorkmedia.com

There will be more posts and pictures coming out on this event with some other posts in-between. To aggregate the posts and pictures from this event, click on the 090509 label below.

Lancaster Airport - Open this Saturday!

Come visit Lancaster Airport!



Saturday, September 5th, the Cold War Air Museum will be participating with aircraft flying and on display along with the Commemorative Air Force DFW wing. The airport will also be hosting other aircraft and events.

Many of our aircraft including the Mig-21 will be on static display next to the CAF hangar so that all activities for the public will be concentrated towards the North end of the field. In addition to the parking areas shown on the link below, there will be additional parking in designated areas on the main ramp during the event.

Check the museum schedule and location page for an aerial view of the airport and parking areas or click here for an area map. Select "get directions" for driving assistance.

Warbirds on Parade coming Sept. 5th

The annual open house at Lancaster Airport is coming soon.



The Cold War Air Museum will be participating with aircraft flying and on display along with the Commemorative Air Force DFW wing. The airport will also be hosting other aircraft and events.

On event days a shuttle tram operates between the two museums, the restaurant and the parking areas. During the Sept. 5th event, there will be additional parking and aircraft displays on the main ramp.

Check the museum schedule and location page for an aerial view of the airport and parking areas or click here for an area map. Select "get directions" for driving assistance.

Test Pilots

Members of the DFW CAF Wing visited us during a test run of their latest transportation equipment. Some things can be explained, but for other things only a picture will do.

Mi24 on display at "Warbirds on Parade"

Previous posts about the Mi-24, "Gate Guardian" have shown it outside, next to the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), DFW wing hanger.

From an event planning standpoint, this years "Warbirds on Parade" event (September 5th) is fast approaching. One of the target action items left in the event planning is relocating and completing the CAF's Mi-24 static display.

Bruce and Jim discuss logistics over some of the parts left to be moved from the Cold War Air Museum hangar as the CAF volunteers rig the transmission for transport.

In order to finish the work, the CAF crew moved the aircraft inside their hangar to get it out from under the hot Texas sun.

Before moving the transmission inside, the bent blade attach fittings were heated and restored to shape so the rotor blades could be remounted. Charlie, the Wing commander gives his signature smile of approval as he checks the work.

Soon, the rotor head and blades will be securely remounted for static display (Not for flight!) and the Mi-24 will be moved back outside to a new display pad between the CAF hangar and the road.

Happy Fathers Day

The Cold War Air Museum and Commemorative Air Force hosted hundreds of visitors at the Father's day open house today. The tram was running almost constantly between the museums. Fathers and Grandfathers, Kids and Grand Kids, Sisters, Mothers, Daughters and Sons. We were
happy to see them all.

Charlie, the CAF-DFW Wing Commander arranged for two B-24 flyovers. An awesome aircraft and an awesome sound. Thanks Charlie, and Thanks B-24 guys!

Both Museums were pleased with the turnout. We hope the picture gallery below helps to share some of the on-site visitor experience with our web visitors.

Happy Fathers Day!