CAF’s F8F Bearcat Makes Rare Flight at Palm Springs Air Museum

The F8F Bearcat operated by the Commemorstive Air Force SoCal Wing will make a rare flight exhibition at the Palm Springs Air Museum this Saturday, March 29, 2014. The Flight Exhibition will take place following the Commemorative Program, FLYING WITH THE BLUE ANGELS, by Larry Packer. The Blue Angels, the United States Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, was formed in 1946, making it the second oldest formal flying aerobatic team in the world. All team members come from the ranks of regular Navy and United States Marine Corps units. Among his many experiences in world of aviation our featured speaker, LCDR Larry Packer was a member of this highly select squadron. He’ll tell the fascinating story of what it’s like to fly some of our Country’s most expensive hardware. Program sponsors are HN & Frances C. Berger Foundation and the Houston Family Foundation.

The Southern California Wing acquired the “Bearcat” in 1991 when Lefty Gardner flew the airplane from Chino, California to the Camarillo Airport after the airplane had been sitting idle for about eight years. The Wing’s maintenance crew did a complete restoration of this airplane, making it one of the most prestigious airplanes of its kind. All the fluid lines, electrical wiring, and instruments were replaced, and the airplane was given a new blue paint job. After eighteen months of continuous restoration work, the airplane made its first flight in 1993, again with Lefty Gardner at the controls doing the test flight (©Copyright Brian Emch – CAF SoCal).

Additionally to bringing its Bearcat the CAF SoCal Wing , will sell rides in their P-51 Mustang and in their AT-6 Texan.

For more information call (805) 482-0064 or visit Palm Springs Air Museum.