After a successful Warbird Showcase in early July, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Capital Wing is hosting a “Wings and Wheels” show at the Culpeper Regional Airport from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 15 and adding an additional “Warbirds Rides Showcase” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 16, 2020.
The events, which entry is free to the public, car show entries are available for $25 presale or $30 day-of-event. Additionally, there is a unique opportunity to have your car photographed with the WWII TBM Avenger “Doris Mae” for $40 and spots are limited.
The car show is open to all makes and models of vehicles with check-in beginning at 9 a.m. and gates opening at 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Judging will begin at 2 p.m. and winners announced at 3 p.m. with the awarding of prizes in 10 categories.
Car show entries can be purchased in advance by visiting Eventbrite and searching “Culpeper Wings and Wheels” or at the following link: https://culpeper_wings_wheels_2020.eventbrite.com
Aircraft rides in the WWII TBM-3E ‘Avenger’ “Doris Mae,” L-5 ‘Sentinel’ “Gayle Ann,” and an N2S-4 ‘Stearman’ are available for sale on August 16 but are selling out quickly. After initially posting a one-day event to the CAF Capital Wings Facebook page advertising rides for August 15, all available seats sold out in only three days after the event had been viewed by more than 11,000 people in the National Capital Region.
To purchase aircraft rides, visit: https://forms.gle/nzHcNfDUhr32PKhf9
A seat in the L-5 ‘Sentinel’ costs $89 for a 20-minute ride and $109 for 30 minutes, while rides in the N2S-4 ‘Stearman’ for 20 minutes costs $169 and $249 for 30 minutes. Each of these aircraft is limited to one rider at a time. The TBM ‘Avenger’ seats two riders at a time, in either the observer position or rear turret seat, at the cost of $899 for the “greenhouse” observer seat (behind the pilot) or $549 for the gun turret seat. Additionally, the TBM ‘Avenger’ can be purchased by one person for $1,349 for a 45-minute flight.
For frequently asked questions regarding flight requirements, check-in times, cancellations and changes, please visit the Eventbrite link or contact the Capital Wing Operations at (540) 402-1818.
There will also be opportunities for the public to participate in Science, Technology, Education and Math (STEM) events, experience a hands-on Martin B-26 ‘Marauder’ gunners’ turret, hear historical lectures on the wings various aircraft, and view World War II relics in the museum.
Also appearing at the Wings and Wheels Show will be the ‘Cruisin for Heroes,’ a local classic car group that’s dedicated to supporting the Fisher House Foundation. The Fisher House Foundation is a non-profit organization that builds comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital. The homes are located on military bases and VA medical centers around the world.
Recognizing the lack of large airshows this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the CAF Capital Wing wanted to allow residents in the National Capital Region to get out of the house for a day of WWII Warbirds flying overhead while taking in the sights of antiques, classics, exotics, and modern-day vehicles. This is the second event for the CAF Capital Wing, whose mission is to honor those who have served, educate the public, and inspire the next generation of aviators.
The next CAF Capital Wing Warbird Showcase stop will be at Hanover County Municipal Airport in Ashland, VA, Aug. 22-23, 2020. Advanced Warbird rides can be purchased at https://forms.gle/3rybZNU2xf7sYaQk7.
COVID-19 Statement: The CAF Capital Wing continues to monitor the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic and takes the necessary actions to safeguard our volunteers’ health while preserving our ability to operate safely. We ask all attendees to adhere to Virginia state mandates, comply with the statewide face-covering requirement in indoor public spaces (hangar and museum spaces), and invite attendees to consider wearing a face mask for their safety and safety others while outdoors.
About the Commemorative Air Force: The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Dallas and is the world’s largest flying military aircraft museum with more than 175 vintage military aircraft and 11,000 members across the United States. For more than 60 years, the CAF has been dedicated to honoring American military aviation through flight, exhibition, education and remembrance. The non-profit organization maintains airplanes in flying condition, allowing the public to experience first-hand the sights and sounds of America’s military aviation history. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org.
