One of World War II’s most iconic torpedo bombers, the TBM Avenger known as Doris Mae, will mark her 80th anniversary with a special public celebration hosted by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Capital Wing on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The event will take place at Culpeper Regional Airport in Virginia and is open to aviation enthusiasts, veterans, historians, and the general public.
The date carries deep historical significance, as it marks exactly 80 years since Doris Mae rolled off the General Motors assembly line on August 2, 1945. She was officially accepted into service by the U.S. Marine Corps the following day. This anniversary offers a unique opportunity to honor the aircraft’s rich history, as well as the people who built, flew, and maintained TBM Avengers during and after World War II. Originally built under license by General Motors in New Jersey during the final weeks of the war, Doris Mae began her service with the Marine Corps in a postwar training capacity. She later served with the Royal Canadian Navy as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft and was eventually converted into an aerial firefighting platform in Canada. In 2001, the aircraft was acquired by the CAF and brought to the United States.
A full restoration began in 2008 under the stewardship of the CAF Capital Wing. The team worked meticulously to return the aircraft to a wartime configuration, preserving the details and spirit of the TBM’s original mission. Today, Doris Mae flies in the markings of Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 143 (VMTB-143), which operated from the USS Gilbert Islands in 1945. Her distinctive nose art pays tribute to a wartime aircraft flown by 1st Lt. William “Billy” Hay, a Virginian who served in combat operations over Okinawa, Borneo, and the Japanese home islands.
The 80th anniversary celebration will feature a ceremonial presentation by a U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, live 1940s jazz music, complimentary food and refreshments, and a birthday cake in honor of Doris Mae. Noted nose art painter Gary Velasco will make a special appearance, and visitors will have the opportunity to meet members of the aircraft’s restoration team and hear stories from CAF Capital Wing personnel and aviation historians. Representatives from the Civil Air Patrol and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will also be present, and—weather permitting—warbird rides will be available to the public.
The CAF Capital Wing is encouraging participation from across the aviation community, including CAF members nationwide and aircraft owners interested in flying in for the occasion. As one of the few remaining airworthy TBM Avengers in the world, Doris Mae stands as a powerful reminder of the aircraft’s critical role in the final chapters of the Second World War and its continued legacy in aviation heritage. For more information about the event and the Capital Wing’s ongoing efforts, visit www.capitalwingcaf.org.
