Presentation

The Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the aviation heritage of World War II to the Vietnam War and expanding it through warbird restoration and organisation of airshows. It was founded in 1957 in the United States and its Head Quarters are based in Dallas, Texas.

Its main goal is preserving heritage aircraft through restoration and public presentation, in museums and airshows. While an aircraft displayed in a museum has a story to tell, it does not appeal to the visitors' senses as an airworthy aircraft would. The CAF is actively engaged in airworthy warbird restoration to experience the sights and sounds that our veterans experienced. The CAF currently operates 165 aircraft and has 13,000 members in the world, including France.

The CAF French Wing is the French branch of the organisation and was founded in 1996 by Bernard Delfino and a handful of enthusiasts. Since 2003, it has been operating the Piper J-3 "Spirit of Lewis", which is made available to airshow organisers and participates in ceremonies and commemorations honoring veterans. The French Wing actively honors veterans ny publishing a newsletter, articles, books and videos of veteran interviews. All of its members regularly meet at its airbase in Le Plessis-Belleville in the Oise department near Paris, where its famous annual Fly-In & BBQ is held, gathering warbirds, period vehicles and reenactors.