Museum Exhibits and Events at the Arizona Wing CAF

Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aircraft Museum
2017 N. Greenfield Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85215

480-924-1940

Admission Prices
Ages 14-Adult $7.00
Ages 6-13 $3.00
Ages 5 & under Free

Upcoming Events - Plan to attend these upcoming events at the Arizona Wing Museum

	Opening April 5, 2008 Days Gone By Photo Exhibit Arizona Wing Museum The Aircraft of the boneyard and the pilots who flew them. A photographic and Short Oral History of the Pilots, Flight Engineers and Crew of the USAF.
	Saturday April 5 and Sunday April 6 - Southwest Military Transportation Show. Military Vehicle Show, Static Aircraft Display, Swap Meet, Food, Collectibles, Parts, Vendors, Vehicle Display and Judging. Transporation Flyer

New Exhibits on display

On Saturday, February 9, 2008 opened a new exhibit titled “Triumph Over Adversity.” It is dedicated to the Black pioneers of aviation and to the officers and enlisted personnel of the Tuskegee Airmen who served during WWII. This is in recognition of the positive experience, the outstanding record of accomplishment and the superb behavior of all black airmen, especially those of the 91st Fighter Squadron, the 322nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group (collectively known as the Tuskegee Airmen) who were important factors in the initiation of social change to achieve racial equality in America. The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Thurston Gaines, an original Tuskegee Airmen and a resident of Glendale, Arizona. Also present as special guests will be members of the Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Photos of the exhibt and dedicatrion

November 11, 2007, Veterans Day exhibit dedicated to the B-17 Flying Fortress “Chow Hound” that was lost in action during WWII. The exhibit contains one of the props and section of the wing panel, a model of “Chow Hound,” a full sized tail of the bomber, and photos and posters honoring the crew members that were recovered in 2004 and hisotry of the 91st Bomb Group. Press Release story of Chow Hound and recovery Photos of the exhibt and dedicatrion

New exhibit honors Maj. George Preddy, the leading P-51 ace of WW II was developed around memorabilia provided by the Preddy Foundation. Also on dispaly are the “Brain Buckets” (a.k.a. airmen’s headgear).

Schweizer TG-3A Glider finished restoration hung at Arizona Wing Museum

8th Air force Wall mural added to Arizona Wing Museum. The European theater of operations mural traces the missions of the 8th Air force and range of fighter escort. Map icons show where various industrial targets were located, fighter fields, heavily defended areas, Axis and Allied Countries, POW camps and data on the 8th Air force. The mural measures 17ft x 10ft.

SE5a Aircraft received by the Museum at the Arizona Wing

On 24 April, 2005, the museum at the Arizona Wing of the Commemorate Air Force received their latest acquisition; a 3/4 scale replica of the WWI fighter, the Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a. The aircraft, once flown to airshows and events all over the west and midwest by Forest "Doggie" Kline, was donated in ceremony by Doggie's family and friends. The aircraft made its last flight from the aircraft's current location. Special guest speakers, antiques aircraft, and a special flying escort for the new aircraft were part of the ceremony.

Along with the many artifacts and displays that you can view at the Arizona Wing we also offer special exhibits through the year.

Students get a close look at the inside of the Ball Turret during a school field trip.

Memorabilia and artifacts make up a large part of any museum. This is no less the case at the Arizona Wing hangar/museum where exhibits are displayed ranging from the “Home Front” to the “Front Lines.” There will always be aircraft available for you to see, feel, smell and hear on occasion, as they come to life. But to an even greater degree, the displays of the equipment that were used so long ago will give you a sense of what it was like to fight a World War in the 1940’s. Here you will see some of the equipment the pilot used to help him guide his craft through war torn skies; how the navigator was able to plot a course to the target and back; the materials used by the bombardier and the top secret

A2 Flight Jackets

Norden Bombsight; the display of the transmitters, receivers and materials used by the radio operator to keep the aircraft in radio communication, or jam the enemy defenses; the weapons and ammunition used by the gunners to protect their airplane from hostile aircraft; the photo reconnaissance cameras and equipment that showed the target location, and any previous damage to the target that was so vital to planning the next mission; the first aid kits that helped save so many lives; the evasion and survival equipment that was carried by each crew member, just in case…

The war was also being fought back in the good ol’ USA, but it was a war of shortages, rationing and manufacturing. The “Home Front” displays will show you the rationed coupon books, spotter cards and Rosie-the-Riveter memorabilia that will give you a feel for what it was like at home back then.

The many uniforms that are on display will give you an idea of the “look” of the soldier in WW II: from the army nurse, to the Air Corp pilot and even the rabbit-lined flight suit of the Japanese aviator, a heavy sheepskin flight suit worn by the high altitude bomber crews, as well as light weight gear worn by the Navy in the South Pacific.

Many of these artifacts have been donated to the Arizona Wing by veterans and their families wanting to see them displayed to the public. School children that are too young to know much about this time are now able to see and feel this part of our history through school field trips.