CAF Warbird Tube
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is proud to produce CAF Warbird Tube. A weekly video podcast that features the people, places, and planes that shaped American history. Each week we host a different guest and different topic to explore as part of the CAF's mission to Educate, Inspire, and Honor. You can learn more about the Commemorative Air Force at www.CommemorativeAirForce.org.
Episodes
Join us for a special episode of CAF Warbird Tube as we dive into the extraordinary life and legacy of Major Richard Bong, America's top fighter ace with 40 official victories, not just of WWII but all aerial conflicts. Our guest, acclaimed author and historian Bruce Gamble, brings his deep expertise to the conversation, sharing rare insights and compelling stories about Bong’s service in the Pacific Theater, his legendary P-3...
Join us on CAF Warbird Tube for a fascinating conversation with Scott Culver, author of Nine Yanks and a Jerk, the gripping true story of a B-24 Liberator crew during World War II. Discover the history behind this remarkable bomber, hear Scott’s insights, and learn more at sonofagunnerb24.com.
Want to watch the video? Go to https://youtu.be/FT0PmW8OPfM
- Aired on: August 13, 2025
- Guest: Scott Culver
- Host: Steve Buss
- Produced By: B...
Join us at EAA AirVenture 2025 as we catch up with the Lewis Air Legends crew of the legendary C-121 Constellation, Bataan. Step inside this award-winning warbird, recognized multiple times by Warbirds of America for its meticulous restoration and stunning appearance. Hear firsthand from the passionate team behind Bataan as they share stories, restoration insights, and why preserving this iconic piece of aviation history matters.
Join us for an inside look at the ongoing restoration of the iconic B-17E Desert Rat, one of the rarest surviving early-model Flying Fortresses. In this episode, we’ll share exciting updates from the restoration team, including the latest milestones, challenges, and what’s next for bringing this historic aircraft back to life. Learn how dedicated volunteers are preserving a key piece of World War II aviation history as the Desert R...
Join us for a special episode of CAF Warbird Tube as we honor the 80th anniversary of the FG-1D Corsair "530," a proud member of Airbase Georgia’s historic fleet. Discover the story of this iconic warbird, from its acquisition to its current assignment at Airbase Georgia and current work with the Navy Legacy Program. We'll explore the Corsair's design, its combat legacy, and the dedicated work that keeps "5...
Join us for a thrilling dive into aviation history as we explore the world’s first operational jet fighter—the Messerschmitt Me 262. Our guest, Keegan Chetwynd, Director of the Military Aviation Museum, will share the story of how the Museum's replica was constructed, what effort was needed to get it back in the air, and how the Museum plans to continue to operate the aircraft into the future. Also discussed will be the flying...
Often referred to as the "Forgotten Battle," the Aleutian Islands Campaign witnessed some of the harshest conditions of World War II. In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, we welcome historian, author, and Alaska historic trip leader Karen Abel to explore the aircraft that braved the treacherous Aleutian skies. From P-38 Lightnings to B-24 Liberators, we’ll discuss the role of these warbirds in one of the most challenging ...
During World War II, a daring group of American women crossed the Atlantic not to fight but to fly. In this episode, we explore the book Spitfires by Becky Aikman—a thrilling account of the women pilots who joined Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary, ferrying Spitfires, Hurricanes, and even bombers across wartime skies. These trailblazers, including legends like Jackie Cochran and Nancy Love, weren’t just defying gravity—they were de...
Learn all about the Royal Air Force’s 100 (Bomber Support) Group, a pioneer in electronic warfare. They worked behind the scenes to protect Allied bombers by jamming enemy radar, confusing night fighters, and conducting clandestine countermeasures across Europe. Join guest Ross Sharp, who reveals how the 100 Group’s daring missions and cutting-edge technology helped turn the tide of the air war over Germany.
- Aired on: May 14, 2...
The Battle of Okinawa, the last major confrontation of World War II, was one of the largest and bloodiest conflicts in the Pacific Theater. In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, we welcome Christopher Kolakowski, a renowned historian and the Director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, to explore the details of this pivotal battle. From the relentless kamikaze attacks to the fierce ground combat, Kolakowski provides expert insight int...
Maybelle Blair was a women's baseball trailblazer turned airplane manager. After baseball, she had a 37-year career at Northrop Corporation, where she ended up as the highway transportation manager, one of the three female managers the company employed in that period. Professor Emeritus of Women’s Sports History at Marshall University and CEO of the International Women’s Baseball Center, Dr. Kat D. Williams, joins us to tell M...
The daring Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942, was more than just a bold strike on Japan—it had lasting effects on morale, military strategy, and the course of World War II. In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, we’re joined by historian and CAF VP of Education Nathan Huegen to explore the raid’s consequences, from its psychological impact on both sides to its role in shaping future Allied operations in the Pacific.
- Aired On: March...
In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, we welcome John Happ, author of The Navigation Case, to explore the gripping story of the New Guinea Air War. Discover the daring missions, sacrifices, and air superiority that America’s pioneering pilots achieved during one of the most significant campaigns in U.S. Air Force history. With stories drawn from personal artifacts and untold histories, John sheds light on this critical chapter of th...
For over 70 years, the Royal Canadian Air Force Halifax bomber HR 871 lay hidden beneath the Baltic Sea off the Swedish coast—one of many warbirds lost to history. That was until about seven years ago when the Bomber Command Museum of Canada and Halifax 57 Rescue launched a bold mission to recover and restore this legendary aircraft.
Join us on this episode of CAF Warbird Tube as we get an exciting update on the past recoveries and...
Join us for a riveting episode of CAF Warbird Tube as we chat with Steve Church, author of Fighter Combat World War Two: Stories and Tactics 1939-1945. Discover the secrets behind fighter tactics, the art of gunnery, and how pilots used strategy and skill to dominate the skies. From historic dogfights to groundbreaking insights, Church brings these stories to life with vivid detail and expert analysis. A must-listen for aviation en...
In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, Steve Buss will take us deep into the final year of World War II. Join us as we explore the major conflicts in 1945 that brought the war to a dramatic and decisive close. From the brutal battles in Europe to the Pacific campaigns, Steve will break down the key events, strategies, and turning points that shaped the war's end. Along the way, we’ll reflect on the immense sacrifices and lasting...
Join us for an engaging episode of CAF Warbird Tube as we sit down with John Mollison, the renowned aviation artist, historian, and creator of Old Guys and Their Airplanes. Through his distinctive artwork and storytelling, John captures the spirit of aviation history and the extraordinary individuals who shaped it. We'll explore his creative process, his passion for preserving the stories of aviation legends, and how he uses a...
**Warning - This video contains discussions about combat events that took place during World War II, specifically aviators who carried out suicide attacks. Sensitive viewers should be advised.** In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, we explore the haunting legacy of the kamikaze airfields in Kyushu, Japan. These airfields served as the launch points for many of the kamikaze missions during the final months of World War II, where pil...
In this episode, historian Chris Kolakowski of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum joins us to discuss the Battle of the Bulge, one of World War II’s most brutal and decisive clashes. During the frigid winter of 1944, a desperate German offensive ambushed Allied forces in Belgium's dense forests. Kolakowski shares insights into the battle’s strategic impact, the soldiers’ resilience, and the extreme conditions that defined this conf...
**Warning - This video discusses actual combat events during the Vietnam War. Sensitive viewers should be advised.**
- This special episode delves into the legendary AC-47 Spooky Gunship, the latest addition to the Commemorative Air Force fleet and proudly operated by the Gulf Coast Wing. Known for its iconic role in the Vietnam War as the original gunship, the AC-47 “Spooky” brought powerful close air support to protect ground f...
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