Photographer: Stan A. Williams

After World War II, a handful of former service pilots put their wartime flying experience to use as crop-duster pilots in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. But when a group of them paid $2,500 for a surplus P-51D Mustang in 1957, the seed was planted for the growth of the nation's finest and most complete collection of flyable WWII combat aircraft.

When these dedicated pilots found that virtually all of the nearly 300,000 aircraft that had been produced during the war had been destroyed, they vowed to try to preserve at least one of each type so that future generations would understand and appreciate the importance and accomplishments of American airpower.

The museum remains dedicated to acquisition, restoration and preservation in flying condition of these vintage military aircraft. The CAF maintains an impressive array of World War II planes including foreign aircraft. The museum also owns the world's largest collection of aviation nose art, now housed in a new, 6,000-square foot gallery featuring 33 original nose art panels. Major flying demonstration is "Airsho," usually held the first full weekend in October.

Approximately 14-20 of the 142 aircraft in the CAF are on display at any one time, with aircraft changed quarterly. On display could be combat stalwarts such as P-40 Warhawk, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-51 Mustang, P-39 Aircobra, P-63 King Cobra, P-82 Twin Mustang, F4F Wildcat, F6F Hellcat, F8F Bearcat, F4U Corsair, and German Heinkel HE-111. Other flyable planes include B-24 Liberator, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-29 Super-fortress, A-26 Invader, B-25 Mitchell, C-47 Skytrain, and several trainers. Admission fee.