Fly High in a Vintage Warbird Over Phoenix

If you’re an aviation enthusiast who dreams of flying high through the clouds in a WWII plane or simply fascinated by the rigorous restoration process a vintage aircraft endures then you will drool over the large display of bombers, fighters, trainers, gliders, cargo and utility planes at the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force Museum located at Falcon Field Airport (map) in Mesa, Arizona.

A museum of over 30,000 square feet, restored Warbirds, or classic aircraft, and museum exhibits of WWII artifacts and other memorabilia are on display.

According to Wikipedia, vintage Warbird restoration or classic aircraft restoration is the process of taking exotic and complex aircraft from the World War II and postwar era, and performing processes such as maintenance, repairs and refurbishments in order to restore these military aircraft to their original wartime state.

The Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization that started in 1978 with the donation of a 1944 B-17G aircraft later known as the Sentimental Journey.  The most famous pinup of her time, Betty Grable, was featured as the nose art on the plane.  Volunteer members undertook the chores of cleaning, polishing and repainting in WW II markings and honing the aircraft into excellent mechanical condition.

Over the years the plane has undergone general repairs and restorative work for it to tour around the country.  Most recently, over 80,000 people toured the Sentimental Journey as it traveled across the country in summer 2009.

If viewing these magnificent planes just isn’t enough, take a scenic ride in a C-45 WW II transport or a T-6 SNJ, a legendary trainer and view the Superstition, Usery and Red Mountains that surround Falcon Field.  The cost for riding in the C-45 is $295.00 per group (up to four people) and the T-6 SNJ is $275.00 per person.

Photos courtesy of  Arizona Wing of the CAF