It’s my impression that the Confederate Air Force name change was less to do with being PC, and more to do with carrying the organisation forward. Fresh winds and young blood have come along since the re-branding, arguably as a result of getting away from the old boys’ club reputation of the old CAF. It has to be remembered that the old CAF was picking up a very bad reputation, with a very high average age of members and a worryingly high accident rate in some CAF wings. The ‘Cobra Den’ thread over on WIX gives a good impression of the differences between the old and the new standards. The supposedly airworthy P63 has needed some very deep work to make it properly airworthy, for instance the previous engine rebuild was a bit of a joke and all sorts of problems were found (missing piston rings, warped cylinder barrels etc). It’s amazing the thing flew safely in the past.

The CAF has wings all over the US now and as the organisation grows it gets less and less appropriate to highlight the link with the Confederate states, in addition to the Confederate connection potentially putting off docents and volunteers etc from non-Confederate states. In summary, it’s now a more inclusive-looking organisation which can only be good for it’s image.

Long live the new Commemorative Air Force.

There was also the successful attack on the Kembs dam on the Rhine in October 1944, to prevent its being used as a weapon against the approaching allied ground forces.

That’s certainly another special raid worth mentioning. To be slightly pedantic, the Kembs ‘dam’ was actually a moveable barrier rather than a fixed dam, but it was still a significant structure.

It’s called “To the Unknown Man”.

Great little video, it just goes to show how much effort, money and expertise has been lavished on this aircraft to save it from the state of dereliction is was in at Rossington.

Am I right in thinking some of the War Lover B17’s had codes and serials painted on backwards, or was that for 12 O’Clock High?

As far as I’m aware, no further attacks were launched on the dams whilst they were under repair, although the Sorpe was later attacked with Tallboys without significant result.

One Tallboy failed to detonate and had to be made safe by an RAF bomb disposal team in 1958.

http://www.rafbdhistory.co.uk/new_page_5.htm

Just to comment on PeeDee’s pic, I’ve been told that the wrinkles on B52 fuselages are intentional and allow for a certain amount of flex in the fuselage. Apparently the wrinkles are there from new and don’t just develop.

is it still flying?

Yes, that’s Sally B.

I’d just like to add my thanks and appreciation for this thread, it’s always nice to be able to follow what’s going on at Dux, especially if like me you only get to visit once or twice a year.

I’ve no idea of the year I’m afraid but I think this is the Sunderland now with Kermit Weeks, rather than a Sandringham.