Lone Star Wing

Why Your Help is Important

The Commemorative Air Force, originally known as the Confederate Air Force, began 12 years after the end of World War II with a group of ex-service pilots, who dubbed themselves "Colonels," and two restored WWII American fighters. Flying these planes at military and civilian air shows, the "Colonels" began to generate interest in the aircraft. And an ambitious project began to take shape. Why not build a complete collection of American World War II fighters? Assuming it would be relatively easy to find planes for the proposed collection, the Colonels soon learned that there were neither surplus aircraft nor any organized program, military or civilian, to preserve even single examples of the historic planes of the War. In fact, most had already been destroyed for scrap. Only 15 years after the end of a war in which America had produced nearly 300,000 planes, almost all were gone! After this discovery, the CAF mission became even more ambitious: to find at least one each of the great American fighters of the War, restore them to flying condition and thereby preserve a vital chapter of our military history. In 1961, the CAF was chartered as a non-profit corporation, with the status of an educational museum. As our collection grew, so did our mission: To collect the great American bombers, and then the warplanes flown by allies and enemies. Today, the CAF has a worldwide membership affilitated with nearly 100 Wings, Squadrons and Detachments. Most of these are in the U.S., but there are also CAF units in France, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland along with members in 24 other countries. The flying museum includes more than 150 aircraft representing 61 different types. Many of these are the only known flying survivors, including the LB-30 Liberator, SB2C Helldiver, A6M Zero (one of two flyable examples left) and, of course, the last B-29 Superfortress.

How Your Support Helps

Funds to acquire, restore, maintain and operate these planes come from membership dues, gifts and bequests, gift shop revenue, flight demonstrations, museum admissions and sponsorship of individual aircraft. When ever we make a flight in one of our aircraft, we have to take into account all volunteer support and flight crews, the cost of fuel, tires, oil and other expendibles as well as maintenance and parts. We receive no state or federal funds. All donations are deductible (as tax laws allow). Any individual, company or organization may donate flyable aircraft, components, parts or museum artifacts, as well as underwrite our building fund (or other projects) and sponsor aircraft.

How You Can Help

If you would like to participate in the mission of the CAF, you can become a member ~ perhaps a sponsor of the last Superfortress Fifi or another rare CAF aircraft. You need not be a pilot or a veteran. Men and women of the CAF come from all walks of life, but they share two interests: their love for the great planes of the war years and the priceless opportunity to conserve part of the living history of those years. Become a Member Would you like to become a member of the Commemorative Air Force? As a member, you can also join the Lone Star Wing and become involved in all Wing activities. Visit the Membership Page for more information on becoming a "Colonel" and a Squadron member. Sponsor an Airplane Any individual or corporation can help support these great aircraft by becoming a sponsor of either of our Stearmans with a tax-deductible contribution. Sponsorships in either aircraft range from $350 to $1,500. All sponsorship funds are used directly and only on the aircraft. Donate Funds or Artifacts If you don't want to become a sponsor today, donations of any amounts go a long way to keeping our Stearmans flying for future generations. And the Wing is always looking for parts and artifacts. For more information or to make a donation, please write or email us.