Warbirds on Parade, 2014

Every Year around Labor Day, Lancaster Airport, the Commemorative Air Force and the Cold War Air Museum open house for the public to learn about aviation history and see historic aircraft both on display and flying.

At the North end of the field, the Commemorative Air Force, long established in Texas, brings in many of the finest examples of WWII aircraft remaining in flying condition.

Like other historic organizations, the CAF and CWAM now constantly compete with the internet for the hearts and minds of the public. But smart phones and flat screens simply don't compare with the reality of touching and seeing these aircraft in person and talking to the veterans and volunteers that flew them and keep them flying today. 

The event started early with aircraft flying in from around the state and volunteers arriving to help, and soon the public began arriving in hopes of beating the heat of the late afternoon Texas sun.

The B-24 Liberator was a mainstay in the European Theater.

The B-25 saw service in both theaters and achieved fame early in WWII when General Doolittle flew a daring raid with them from an aircraft carrier.

The Douglas A-26 Invader also saw war over the Pacific and in the Cold War following. It has also served extensively in the Forestry service as a fire-bomber.

The Cold War Air Museum is also located on the airport at Lancaster. CWAM has many flying and static aircraft from the post-WWII era. The two Museums compliment and coordinate with each other in support of this annual event.

The Mig-21, a Russian developed fighter, was extensively deployed during the Cold War era by many countries around the world and is still in use by some today.

The museum is thankful to have many fine volunteers working and supporting our events. Many thanks to Tommy and Debbie for their fantastic support!

The Mi-24 Hind, another Cold War aircraft, was also extensively deployed by many countries around the world and is still in use today. Preparation and relocation of aircraft began well before the event and took until well after the posted hours and we thank the many volunteers and supporters for their efforts and old fashioned dedication.

Although fewer people seem to come in person since the advent of the internet, the sights, sounds and smells of in-person reality continue to thrill and excite both young and old. Hopefully this young man is dreaming of a future flying or designing the generations of aircraft to come.

For those who couldn't make it this year, we're glad you could join the thousands that share with us by internet, we hope you can visit us in person next year, and please support your local museums!

Spring Cleaning

As we prepare to take some of the aircraft associated with the Cold War Air Museum to local air shows, we are once again thankful for the support given to the museum by our volunteers.

The Mi-2, which is preparing to go to Corsicanna this weekend for their annual fly-in, is shown getting a well deserved bath. Someone passing by said "Hey, I didn't realize there were white numbers under there".

Thanks guys, we appreciate your work.

It Takes a (Global) Village

Blog and Wiki readership at the Cold War Air Museum has really been growing.


What's been the most thrilling, however, is that a couple of people have taken the time to make an account on the Wiki and added or fixed a few of the pages. Both the blog and the wiki are truly becoming the products of a global village... museum members don't have to be "here" to volunteer, they can do it from another continent.

In particular, we'd like to thank "JUMBO" in Sofia, Bulgaria for adding to the at the MiG-21 page.

And anyone else who'd like to help, please make an account (it's easy, it's free) and add or fix up what you'd like. We use the same software as Wikipedia, so everything is under version control. If you feel that your English might not be good enough, no worries — it's much easier for us to edit a post than it is to find original information. You get it started and we can finish it up.

Anything and everything is appreciated! Thanks!!

A Clean Machine

Volunteers at the museum finished cleaning and polishing several more aircraft this weekend.

One of them was the CJ-6A, museum "Bord LN"

Our student volunteer Rene enjoyed a flight after a hard days work. The aircraft rely shine after these guys work them over and we appreciate their careful work.

Spring Cleaning

Even in hangers, airplanes get dirty. One of our regular chores is cleaning. There is something about a clean airplane that seems to attract dust. Fortunately these volunteers don't wear hobnail boots. Most of the L-29's we brought from Bulgaria were covered in scratches as crewmen climbed on the wings in hobnail boots to refuel them during winter training missions. This particular L-29 was originally an R model from Czechoslovakia.

Sean and Rene cleaning Delta-November

Volunteer Work

All organizations such as ours are dependent on volunteers. We absolutely can't get the job done without them! Here is a big hearty THANK YOU! for all our volunteers.


Our newest volunteer, Isaac is seen sorting the supply of "gummies" (o-rings) that we recently received.



Among our most reliable volunteers, Sean and Rene are shown working on the Mig-21 wing. They are removing leading edge covers for an inspection this weekend.

Skyline High School Students

Aviation students from Skyline High School were out Saturday participating in the CWAM "MiG Mechanic Apprenticeship Program". Ok, we don't really have a MiG Mechanic Apprenticeship Program, but we can use all the help we can get! Sammie was back out to the museum this weekend and brought reinforcements.

The MiG-23 has new engine oil and the panels that were off for assembly are going back on. It's meticulous work... screws for each panel have to be located and matched for type, paint and length. Each screw is given a little dab of oil before going back on so that removing it later will be less of a challenge.