Time to meet plane number nine in our #12Planes campaign: the smallest plane ever to be Air Force One, the Aero Commander L-26B of the Commemorative Air Force - Tampa Bay Wing, known as "Ike's Bird." Before jets and helicopters became symbols of presidential travel, President Dwight D. Eisenhower relied on a small fleet of six Aero Commander L-26Bs. Ike's Bird is the only remaining airworthy example from that fleet. This little twin-engine aircraft carried the President, Vice President, and Firs

The CAF’s Restoration Grant Fund is one of the most powerful forces behind getting historic aircraft back where they belong: in the sky. Thanks to this program, over 70% of the CAF fleet is airworthy, supported by more than $200,000 in grants fueling critical restoration work. Since 2008, the fund has helped bring 55 vintage aircraft back to life, allowing communities nationwide to see, hear, and feel history in flight. 💙 Give $25 or more today and receive a special CAF holiday ornament as our

#TrainerTuesday seems a perfect day to introduce you to plane #4 in our #12Planes of Christmas: the SNJ Texan. The Texan was known as "The Pilot Maker" as thousands of Allied pilots completed their flight training in this advanced trainer. This particular Texan is a Navy SNJ-5 operated by the CAF Gulf Coast Wing in Conroe, Texas. This SNJ trained hundreds of Navy and Marine Corps pilots at NAS Pensacola. Today, the CAF Gulf Coast Wing’s SNJ-5 continues that mission, thrilling crowds and training

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