History in Flight

Rare warbirds star in a California airshow.

  • By Linda Shiner
  • AirSpaceMag.com, May 11, 2010
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Frank Mormillo/ Planes of Fame Air Museum


Among the most distinctive Curtiss P-40 Warhawks that flew in World War II were those of the 325th Fighter Group, based originally in North Africa and later in Italy. From their airplane’s paint scheme, the group’s squadrons became known as the “Checkertail Clan.” The museum’s P-40, painted in the checkertail markings, is actually a P-40N that served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the war. The museum acquired it from a company that fitted the aircraft with an apparatus to sprinkle chemicals into clouds on weather-modification flights.


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Comments (5)

is that a yak 9 flying with the b-25?

Aside from closing my eyes and just dreaming about flying any one of these beauties, the only thought that comes to mind is : Wish I could be there. Anybody who is going,
enjoy it for all of us who can't make it. Someday I AM
gong to Chino. PP

Hello,
Your show looks amazing and a friend and I would like to drive over from Phoenix next year to see it. Unfortunately we did not discover it until today or we would have come this time around. Would it be possible for you to email me when you know the dates of the 2011 show. EDITORS' REPLY: You need to contact the organizers of the show for that information.

The Planes of Fame airshow is usually the third weekend of May. This years show was outstanding as usual. The museum is worth visiting any time of the year if you are a fan of WWII era planes. They also have other interesting displays of pre-WWII and post-WWII aircraft, and holds special events the first Saturday of each month.

wow! this is amazing

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