Airbase Arizona Flying Museum
Issue 43 A visit to the Arizona Wing of the CAF in Mesa Arizona
After the U.S. entered World War II at the end of 1941, one of the first enemy engagements was in North Africa in May of 1942, as part of Operation Torch. Later in 1942 British Commanding General Bernard Montgomery defeated Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps at the Second Battle of El Alamein. Eventually, British and U.S. forces formed a pincer movement in Tunisia, and the Germans surrendered in March of 1943.
The final defeat of Rommel didn’t end operations in North Africa. For the rest of World War II, various campaigns were launched from bases there, including the invasion of Italy, and the bombing campaigns against industrial areas of Central Europe. There was a wide variety of other types of missions flown from North Africa during the war, and many of them were classified, clandestine operations. Many of those operations were de-classified and made public in the 1990s.
In the late evening of 13 July, 1943, a Douglas C-47 left El Djem airstrip B in Tunisia. As part of Operation Fustain, the Skytrain dropped British paratroopers south of the town of Catania, in the shadow of Mount Etna. That C-47, serial number 42-23518, later dropped forces into Yugoslavia for missions that remained classified until 1995. One such mission was flown in August of 1944 from Brindisi Airbase, in Italy, to Negobuda in Yugoslavia. After landing, the C-47 offloaded four mules, four saddles, and four Yugoslavian partisans. Their mission, along with other partisans, was to move 75mm guns through the mountains to attack German positions. One of the mules was named “Old number 30”. That same C-47 is now maintained in flying condition at Airbase Arizona in Mesa and is named “Old Number 30”.
-----------------------------------------------------
Located on Falcon Field in Mesa Arizona, the Airbase Arizona Flying Museum was established in 1978. When opened, Airbase Arizona became the 10th official wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).
Like all the Commemorative Air Force locations, Airbase Arizona is a working museum- with a number of aircraft maintained in flying condition. As we have seen at other flying museums, aircraft on display, and how they are located, depends very much on the flight schedule. I usually try to visit museums early in the week, when they are less crowded, to make picture taking more practical. My schedule on this trip dictated that I visit on a Saturday, and that turned out to be fortuitous. The museum was preparing for their Flying Legends of Victory Tour and all hands were busy with preparations. This meant that there were many docents around to answer questions and several aircraft were open for interior inspection.
One of the aircraft being readied for the tour was the B-17, “Sentimental Journey”. The big bomber, serial number 44-83514, was built at the Douglas factory in Long Beach, CA in 1944 as a B-17G. It flew missions in the Pacific during WWII and served in various training roles after the war. The Flying Fortress was eventually sold for surplus and was converted to a fire bomber. The plane was purchased by the CAF in 1978 and donated to become part of the newly formed Airbase Arizona Flying Museum.
Although the museum staff was busy preparing “Sentimental Journey” for flight, they were happy to stop to answer questions and allow visitors to climb inside the historic plane.
Photo, Tom Conophy
The cockpit has been restored very much to original condition.
Walking through the restored interior gives you a look at the configuration of the Flying Fortress and all the equipment it carried. In a small way, you also get the feel of what it was like to be a combat crew member on a B-17- in crowded, and very exposed, conditions.
A unique feature of this plane is the historic record of B-17 crew members and their families who have visited the museum to see a part of their heritage. They are always asked to record their name, and the bomb bay doors are covered with aircrew signatures and a brief part of their story.
The original civilian owner (as a fire bomber) made a visit in 2021.
When you visit be sure to spend some time reading this important, and very interesting bit of history.
The museum is located in two hangars- the Exhibit Hangar and the Maintenance and Restoration Hangar. Depending on the flight schedule, you will see aircraft on the ramp in front of the hangars. There are also a number of markers and artifacts at the main entrance.
The Exhibit Hangar is arranged into eras: World War I, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
This Nieuport 28 is an excellent representative of the World War I era. Like many WWI aircraft in museums, this is a replica, but it was built with historic accuracy. It is full-sized and was built as a flying replica. The paint scheme is that of the 94th Aero Squadron.
The 94th was formed at Kelly Field in Texas in August of 1917. The unit was sent to France in September of that year and, as the first American squadron in operation, they adopted the name “Hat in The Ring Squadron.” Some of the pilots had already served in the French “Lafayette Escadrille” and the squadron quickly became successful, receiving much publicity back home. On 14 April 1918, Lt Douglas Campbell scored the first victory by an American unit. Campbell also became the first U.S. trained ace (five victories). The unit had several other well-known pilots including Raoul Lufberry (its first commander) and, perhaps its best-known ace, Eddie Rickenbacker.
When the squadron arrived in France, they had hoped to be equipped with the Allies’ main front-line fighter, the Spad S. XIII. There was a shortage of these planes and, as the French and British were not interested in the newly available Nieuport 28, they were assigned to the arriving American 94th and 95th Squadrons. After several months of working out the bugs (including flying unarmed missions because guns were not available), the Americans showed the French Nieuport to be a very capable fighter.
One of the many things I enjoy about aviation museums is coming across an aircraft that I know little or nothing about. This Grumman Guardian certainly fits that bill. The Grumman Guardian was the first aircraft specifically built as a submarine tracker. First flown at the end of 1945, it did not serve during WWII, which is probably one of the reasons that it is lesser known. Although the Guardian was the largest single-engine carrier aircraft ever built (about five feet longer and 4,000 pounds heavier than the Douglas A-1 Skyraider), it was not big enough to carry equipment for both submarine ‘hunting’ and submarine ‘killing’. Because of this, two versions of the Guardian were built- the AF-2W ‘hunter’, and the AF-2S ‘killer’. The two types often operated in “hunter/killer” pairs.
AF-2W (foreground) and AF-2S Photo courtesy of U.S. Naval Aviation News, November 1972
The Guardian did serve in coastal patrol roles during the Korean War but it was not popular with pilots as it was heavy and underpowered, and suffered from a high accident rate. By 1955, the Guardian was being replaced by the larger and more capable S-2 Tracker, also a Grumman product.
This AF-2S Guardian, BuNo 126731, is displayed to honor Admiral James Stockdale who flew this particular aircraft early in his Naval career. Shot down over North Vietnam in 1965, Admiral Stockdale was the most senior officer held captive in the Hanoi Hilton. He was a prisoner for seven years and he received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during captivity.
Another of the Museum’s aircraft that was being prepared to go on tour is this B-25J Mitchell, “Maid in the Shade”.
This B-25J served at Serraggia Air Base in Sicily in 1944 and flew 15 combat missions over Italy and Yugoslavia. Like other aircraft in the collection, this B-25, serial number 43-35972, is restored to original condition. After WWII, this plane was used as an aerial sprayer and arrived at the Mesa Museum in the early 1980s. The B-25 is accurately painted in the scheme of the 57th Bomb Wing, 437th Squadron, of the Twelfth Air Force, that she wore in Corsica during WWII. Illustrating the attention to detail of this restoration, it took almost 29 years from the time the plane was acquired until she returned to the air in 2009.
B-25 nose gun
Besides aircraft, the Airbase Arizona Flying Museum has an interesting variety of memorabilia and other items on display. From restored aircraft engines, to an Eagle Scout wind tunnel project, these displays can be found throughout the museum.
Although over 20 ships were sunk or damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December, 1941, the USS Arizona is by far the best known. Some of the ships sunk at Pearl Harbor were raised, repaired, and returned to action. The badly damaged Arizona was soon recognized as not repairable and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1942. The main gun turrets were removed and installed on other ships and several were used as a land battery in Hawaii.
In 1962, the Arizona was designated a national shrine and designated a national historic landmark in 1989. A bridge and visitors center were built across the ship and some pieces of the structure were removed during this construction. This piece, which is part of a bulkhead, was underwater for 20 years and then in storage for 57 years. It was approved for transfer to the museum in 2018. The half inch thick artifact is approximately 3’ X 5’ and weighs 450 pounds. It is displayed as a memorial to those who died in the attack.
A rather poignant display is this diorama depicting a young widow. The description that accompanies it says “This scene illustrates the sacrifice of those who, although they did not fight, were forever changed by the war.
A young woman has received the personal belongings of her husband; his footlocker is at her feet. The small banner in the window has been changed: the blue star replaced with one of gold, indicating that he has died in service to his country.
Like so many others on the home front, she must pay the price for freedom.”
The flag with the blue star is on the table and, partially out of sight, one with a gold star has been put up in the window. This is where the term “gold star families” comes from.
This view encompasses the Korean and Vietnam War eras. An F-4, one of the primary U.S fighters during Vietnam is on display, as well as two Soviet MiGs- a MiG 15 and a MiG 21.
Entering service in 1949, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was the first successful swept wing fighter. Most likely derived from captured German plans for a Focke-Wulf swept wing aircraft, the MiG-15 was one of the most produced aircraft of all time.
This MiG-15 is an early model, produced in Moscow. The position of the landing light indicates that it was built prior to mid-1951. It was donated to the museum in 2002 and, having been on display outside, it has been restored twice. The plane lacks a data plate and other documentation and so a detailed history is not known. During restoration, evidence of large caliber bullet damage, as well as various patches, indicate that the MiG most likely served in combat.
Let’s finish with a look at the cockpit of the C-47 “Old Number 30” in the opening story.
Like the other flying aircraft in the museum, this C-47 Skytrain (often called a Dakota- the name the RAF gave it) is restored very much to original operating condition. And, like the B-17, museum docents were very generous with their time to allow visitors a unique view of the historic interior.
Airbase Arizona is one of those great museums that have so much to offer that it is impossible to cover thoroughly in a blog. It is a must see if you are in the Phoenix area.
Many thanks to the docents who assisted us during our visit and especially to Mike Mueller, who provided additional background information for this blog and Jim McNamee, who also provided assistance. I can never say often enough how a museum like this can only survive because of the hours of hard work and dedication by the staff, made up mainly of volunteers.
Thanks also to my friend Tom Conophy, who accompanied me and provided several of the photos.
—————————————————————————-
To learn about what to do in the local area, museum hours and costs as well as books to read and other interesting odds and ends, keep reading! At the end you will find a photo gallery of the entire museum.
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wed. – Sat.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
Adults (13+): $15
Seniors (62+): $12
Kids (5-12): $5
Kids under 5: free
Members: free
Active Military: free
Disabled Veterans: free
FLYING IN
The Airbase Arizona Museum is on the southwest corner of Falcon Field (KFFZ). Falcon Field has two paved runways 5100’ (4R/22L) and 3700” (4L/22R). There are RNAV approaches to 4L and 4R. There are several FBOs on the field and you should be able to park near the museum.
SUGGESTED READING
… As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man
I have chalked up many a mile
Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks
And I learned much from both of their styles… Jimmy Buffett (1946-2023). Sail on Jimmy.
With the interesting history of the C-47 at the Airbase Arizona Museum, I thought it would be worthwhile to revisit several previous recommendations that are associated with North Africa and missions to the Balkans.
An excellent, non-fiction, WWII story is Lady Be Good by Dennis E. McClendon. During WWII, a B-24 became lost returning to Libya from a mission over Naples, Italy and was never heard from again. In 1958, the plane was accidentally discovered in the Libyan desert by researchers looking for oil. No sign of the crew was found and their fate remains a mystery. The author theorizes about what happened - aided by a diary kept by one of the crew members. It’s a fascinating read.
The Forgotten 500, by Gregory A. Freeman, is the story of the rescue of some of the many flyers who were shot down over occupied Yugoslavia during WWII. As a covert operation by the OSS (a forerunner of the CIA), the story remained classified until recent years. A very intriguing and interesting read. The stories overlap with some of the missions of the C-47, “Old Number 30”. (Thanks to my son Mark for giving me this book).
Ben Macintyre’s Operation Mincemeat reads like a spy thriller, complete with a “bizarre” plot twist. It is, however, a true story and very possibly was the key factor in the successful invasion of Sicily from North Africa. It is another book that is a result of the declassification that took place in the 90s. Operation Mincemeat was made into a movie- which is not bad- but, as usual, the book is much better.
WRIGHT BROTHERS STORIES
Note- this is a new section of the blog- a look at some of the many lesser-known Wright Brothers Stories. Two sections have been removed to make way- “Where to Eat” and “Local Attractions.” With the help of the internet, these are pretty easy to find, but if a museum recommends anything special, I will still include that information. (Airbase Arizona has sections on their website listing both local restaurants and attractions).
Sitting off the southern end of Manhattan, Governors Island has a long history that goes back to the first Dutch settlers in New York. Since those early years, the island has been the site of a number of military encampments. In the early 20th century, the Army began adding to the size of the island, using material excavated from the building of the New York subway system. This work was completed in 1909 and the first use of the new space was as an airstrip. By this time, the Wright Brothers had sold their planes to the Army as well as making a number of sales in Europe and they had finally become world famous. In September of 1909, Wilbur took the Wright Flyer to Governors Island to participate in a huge festival celebrating the 300th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage, as well as the 100th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s steam ship.
On September 29th, Wilbur flew west from Governors Island, over the Statue of Liberty, and back. As this was the Wright’s first over-water flight, Wilbur had attached a canoe to the bottom of the plane, in the event he would have to land in the river. On October 4th, in strong and gusty winds, Wilbur flew from Governors Island over the west side of Manhattan, up the Hudson River, to Grant’s Tomb and back. Tens of thousands of people lined the river cheering and waving. A number of US and British Naval ships were in the harbor as well as over 1,000 civilian vessels. Wilbur flew low over them and guns were fired in salute. Including people watching from Manhattan sky scrapers, it was estimated that a million people saw the flight of Wilbur Wright. A longer flight, planned for the next day, was cancelled due to an engine problem (or, possibly, because the stoic Wilbur had been badly startled by the guns firing at him!). The plane was then transported to College Park, MD to begin the training of Army pilots.
Governors Island Memorial Photo courtesy of Angela Bruno
In 1954 an aviation preservation group, The Early Birds, erected a memorial to the Wright Brothers on Governors Island. This bronze prop was cast from an actual propeller that was on the 1909 Wright Military Flyer. The Early Birds was founded in 1928 and membership was limited to the 598 pioneering aviators (including, of course, the Wright Brothers) who flew a balloon, glider, or plane prior to December 17th, 1916. The group was disbanded in 1998 when the last living member, George D. Grundy Jr, passed away.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bruno
MUSEUM WEBSITE
Airbase Arizona Flying Museum:
Commemorative Air Force:
https://commemorativeairforce.org/
UP NEXT
Dare County Airport Museum – Part 2.
MUSEUMS ARE WHERE YOU FIND THEM
This segment is dedicated to finding interesting aviation artifacts that are in public view- but not in an aviation museum. If you see one send a photo!
Candy Bomber over the Wright Brothers Memorial
In a previous blog, I published these photos of the C-54 “Candy Bomber”. The plane was a flying museum dedicated to the Berlin Airlift (although the plane was painted in Air Force colors, it was originally a Navy R5D-4- BuNo 90414. The Douglas Skymaster, as part of VR-3, did participate in the Berlin Airlift). Gail Halvorsen, the original “Candy Bomber”, who dropped candy to the children of Berlin on his Berlin Airlift missions, travelled with the plane and each year they visited the Outer Banks. Halvorsen died in 2022, at the age of 101, but I was lucky to get to see and hear him several times at Dare County Airport.
Gail Halvorsen, in the maroon shirt, at Dare County Airport in 2019. The lady to his left is Karen Edmond, who was a young girl in Berlin during WWII and was a recipient of the candy drops
The plane, unfortunately, was heavily damaged by a tornado in 2020 and deemed irreparable. The fuselage, though, was rescued from being broken up and will soon become part of The Aviator Brewing Company in North Carolina. My friend Doug Campbell recently visited the brewery and CEO Mark Doble gave him the full tour. Doug has written a great article about the history of the C-54, which has been added to the Aviation History Museums’ website. Click here to read it.
PHOTO GALLERY
Click any photo to enlarge
Issue 43, Copyright©2023, Pilot House Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Except where noted, all photos by the author