CAF Airbase Arizona

Today, as we reflect on Pearl Harbor, we pay special tribute to the USS Arizona (BB-39), a piece of which stands in our museum as a poignant relic showcased among our most cherished artifacts.

In the devastating attack, the ship sank, claiming the lives of over 1,100 crewmen. Powerful images of the ship ablaze stand as enduring symbols of the catalyst that led the U.S. into war. This historic event significantly shaped combat aviation, a pivotal focus within our museum which highlights a century of U.S. military aviation history.

In 1962, the wreck of the Arizona was designated a national shrine. A memorial bridge was constructed to provide public viewing of the site, with portions of the ship's forward structure removed to facilitate this construction. Stored in a U.S. Navy yard in Hawaii, a piece of this removed structure found a new home here in 2018 when the Airbase Arizona Museum secured approval for a permanent exhibit.

We invite you to explore this exhibit, along with all our others, every Thursday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Jaques Cloutier answered our last call for photos in a big way. Rainy days are no fun, but a beautiful day after can make for some awesome photos! When's the last time you saw our Maid in the Shade?

It was in 1936 that the first Army YB-17 took its first flight. Though the Boeing Model 299 prototype had flown more than a year earlier, this was the first of thirteen Y1B-17 service test aircraft. The YB-17 had several improvements over the Model 299, such as a long carburetor intake on top of the engine nacelles, and a set of main landing gear with a single strut rather than the two of the Model 299. What's the biggest difference you can see between the YB-17 and our own Sentimental Journey?

Is there someone on your holiday shopping list who loves history or airplanes? An annual pass to our museum is the gift that keeps on giving all year long. And the best part is that it allows them to bring a guest, so you might be able to talk them into bringing you with them for a visit or two! 😉

Check it out at https://www.azcaf.org/members/annual-museum-pass/

It's that time of year when our thoughts turn to holiday gift shopping, so get a head start on gifts for the aviation lovers on your list in our online PX! Visit https://www.azcaf.org/shop-old/ to find the perfect gift!

Recently, we asked for your best photos of our birds, and you did not disappoint! Here's one from Naomi Walker Hancock that just looks electric... can you top it?

Did you take on too much extra payload this Thanksgiving? 🤣

Seriously though, do you know what that enormous plane on the bottom is?

From all of us here in Mesa to all our American fans, a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday. We are truly thankful for the support of all of our fans everywhere!

If you are looking for a special Thanksgiving menu, may we suggest this one from the USS Arizona in 1917? Is there a better tribute on the day of gratitude?

📸 US Naval History and Heritage Command

As a reminder, we'll be closed Thursday so our volunteers can celebrate Thanksgiving with their families, but we will be open the rest of the holiday weekend, so bring your visiting family by and show them around!

It's a proud day for Arizona. in 1919, Tucson opened the first municipally-owned airport in the United States!

In 1927, commercial flights began with Standard Airlines. At the time, a flight from Tucson to Los Angeles cost $60, or more than $850 in today’s dollars! In April 1928, the airline decided to match the train fare on the route, and airline passenger traffic grew 300 percent.

Famed aviator Charles Lindbergh landed there in September 1927 to dedicate what was then called Davis-Monthan Field, before a crowd of 30,000 people. The first commercial flights would start about two months later.

Did you know Tucson laid claim to such a historical milestone?

Don't forget tonight at 6 is our first C-47 Night Flight and tomorrow is the Arizona Historical Military Transport Association Military Vehicle Show! Click on the name of each event for details!

We recently had to "dump the hangar" for our dance, which meant taking all the aircraft out to make room for the event. It makes the ramp look pretty beefy, doesn't it?!

Of course, everyone knows B-25 operated from the USS Hornet (CV-8) for the Doolittle Raid, but did you know that in 1944, the Navy actually evaluated the B-25 for regular carrier duty?

This photo was taken in 1945 when a North American B-25H Mitchell conducted carrier trials aboard the USS Shangri-La (CV-38). That day also included trials of the Grumman F7F Tigercat and a one-of-a-kind fighter that would seem very familiar to you... do you know what it was?

This , book a flight in one of our two trainers: The SNJ Texan or the N2S Stearman. Which do you prefer: one set of wings or two?

If you love your freedom, thank a vet. ❤️

Everyone wish our Sikorsky H-19 a happy birthday! It was in 1949 at Bloomfield, Connecticut, that YH-19 prototype made its first flight. Do you know what name the Army eventually gave to the H-19?

Don't miss the Arizona Historical Military Transport Association military vehicle show on November 18. A varied collection of military vehicles will grace the Airbase Arizona ramp from 10a-3p. Come out to see a wide variety of ground vehicles and aircraft on display, along with military collectibles, vehicle parts, and more!

On November 12, the Museum will start opening on Sundays again with a very special service for the 23 Royal Air Force cadets who died while training at Falcon Field during WWII. Join us at the Mesa Cemetery at 10:45am: https://www.azcaf.org/event/royal-air-force-cadet-memorial/

We've closed out another successful season of the Flying Legends of Victory Tour for the year, so this we're going back to the start of it with this shot from Chino by superfan McCall Jones. Do you have photos of our B-25 and B-17 out on tour this year? Let's see them in comments and maybe we'll feature yours next!

Last call for our big dance! Tickets will be available at the door tomorrow evening, so come dance the night away with us. The Night in the 40s Big Band Dance features the Sonoran Swing Orchestra and the Uptown Angels. Doors open at 5PM.

On November 2, 1943, some 75 B-25 Mitchells from the Fifth Air Force, escorted by 80 P-38 Lightnings, raided Rabaul, where they encountered newly arrived Japanese carrier aircraft. Nine B-25s and 10 P-38s were shot down, but they shot down 20 Japanese aircraft and sank two merchant ships and a minesweeper on the raid. Did you know the B-25 saw this type of duty in the Pacific?

As we prepare for our Night in the 40s Big Band Dance on Saturday evening, the museum will be closed to the public. We'll be back open on the 8th. If you'd like to join us at the dance, you can get tickets online until Friday or at the door on Saturday!

Dance Tickets: https://www.azcaf.org/2023-big-band-dance/

Our Night in the 40s fall hangar dance is just around the corner! To join us on Saturday, November 4, get your tickets on our website at https://www.azcaf.org/2023-big-band-dance/

Our own B-17 Sentimental Journey will be leading the flyover at the East Valley Veterans Parade at 11am on November 11. Check out the map for the parade route and keep your eyes on the skies just before the parade starts!

It's flying season once again at Airbase Arizona! Our flights on the B-17 for November are already sold out, but you can still book a flight on "The Pilot Maker," our SNJ Texan. For flight times and days, check out https://www.azcaf.org/plane/snjt-6-texan/

It's a pic, yes, but it's also got a grain of truth. Did you know that during WWII, our own Old Number 30 flew several missions to deliver supplies to Yugoslav Partisan forces including artillery and mules?!

The Airbase is part of author Jamie Beckett's "Nostalgia Lost and Found" article at General Aviation News! Check it out at https://bit.ly/491dN0S

Nostalgia lost and found — General Aviation News When you take your next vacation, whether you’re going to the beach, the mountains, the desert, or the prairie, consider doing a search for nostalgic aviation opportunities in the area. The odds are good you’ll find something of interest, as I did on Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona.

Sentimental Journey was a big hit in Southern California this past weekend! Rides and tours were busy and there was a great turnout for the event. Were you there? Let's see YOUR pics!

It was # in 1945 that the US Army Air Forces took possession of the last of 10,174 C-47 Skytrains built by Douglas. Sadly, though the aircraft managed to survive into the new millennium, its last flight was in 1997 for a now-defunct airline in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It sat rotting at an airport in the city of Goma into the 2000s, but by 2015, anything of value in or on the wingless airplane had been looted. An effort to save it failed and in late 2019, it was scrapped at Goma. 😢

Have you ever flown on a C-47 or DC-3? Many still operate today, including our own "Old Number 30!"

A Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress from the 5th Bomb Group/11th Bomb Group, with Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker aboard on a secret mission, went off course and was lost at sea in the central Pacific Ocean in 1942. Rickenbacker was America's top-scoring World War I ace with 26 kills.

After 21 days afloat, he and the surviving crew were rescued by the U.S. Navy OS2U Kingfisher "The Bug," itself a Pearl Harbor survivor. Rickenbacker lost 40 pounds during the ordeal but made a full recovery. He toured some bases in the Pacific, and in December returned to the US with his aide who had by then also recovered.

He arrived in Washington on December 19, exactly two months from the day they had left San Francisco on their fateful mission. Rickenbacker finally made his mission report to War Secretary Stimson and General Hap Arnold. It included practical suggestions for survival equipment—including a sheet to cover rafts and collect rainwater and saltwater distilling kits.

Had you heard this story about Rickenbacker before?

SJ is making headlines in Long Beach! If you're in SoCal, drop by and see her this weekend!

Festival of Flight to showcase historic planes, marking Long Beach Airport’s 100th birthday A B-17 World War II bomber and a C-17 Globemaster will be on display this Saturday.

SJ arrived in Long Beach yesterday for the Festival of Flight this weekend. Built right there at the Douglas Plant in Long Beach, Sentimental Journey is there to pay tribute to Douglas... and to offer rides to those who want to live that history! Book your flight at https://www.azcaf.org/location/long-beach-ca-tour-stop/