It was 1957 when four Texans purchased a P-51 Mustang for $ 2,500 just released from military duties. The Texans were Llyod Nolen,Bill Turnbull,Billy Drawe, Royce Norman and C.W. Butler. Drawe and Butler were farmers and the other were crop-dusters pilots. They went to El Paso, inspected the Mustang which was in pretty good condition beside an issue with the rudder which got fixed later in the week.The Mustang was the mighty RED NOSE now operated by the CAF Dixie Wing. The Confedarate Air Force, which later become the Commemorative Air Force, was born.
Today, the Commemorative Air Force comprises over 11,000 members comprising more than 70 regional groups, called wings or detachments, in 27 states and 4 other countries.The CAF operates 150+ aircraft. Several hundred members actively serve as pilots and flight and/or maintenance crew members committed to preserving American combat aviation heritage. The CAF is an all-volunteer organization, made up of members from all backgrounds. Membership is open to all men and women, age 18 or older. Those who are 12 years of age or older, may join as Cadet members. You need not be a veteran nor a pilot to join the CAF. Privately funded and totally self-supporting, the nonprofit, tax-exempt group is dedicated to preserving the military aviation heritage of World War II.
Below you can watch a documentary from 1981.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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