Commemorative Air Force Presents
May 26-28, 2006
Wings of Freedom Airshow

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ICAS Marketing Award Recipient 
Wings of Freedom won in small air show category: 1st in web site, 2nd in Program Guide, 2nd in Sponsor Kit, 3rd in TV Commercial.
 
 
Aircraft
Be sure to check out our Aerobatic Shows and find out more about the remote control aircraft.

BT-13 Valiant
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B-13
The "Valiant" was the basic trainer most widely used by the USAAF during WW II. It represented the second of the three stages of pilot training--primary, basic and advanced. Compared with the primary trainers in use at the time, it was considerably more complex. The BT-13 not only had a more powerful engine, it was also faster and heavier.

Nicknamed the "Vibrator" by the pilots who flew it, the BT-13 was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine.
By 1945, the aircraft was being replaced with other advanced models and after the war the aircraft was retired.

(photo credit Tony Evans)

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 155 mph.
Cruising speed: 130 mph.
Range: 880 miles
Service Ceiling: 19,400 ft.
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Aircraft
Here are a few of the aircraft of the CAF

Vultee BT-1A Valiant
Vultee BT-13A Valiant Basic Trainer
All pilots, whether they were destined for fighters or bombers, had to go through the pilot training process. One of the most important aircraft for developing new pilot skills was the BT-13 Valiant, sometimes known as the "Vibrator" ~ not for what it did to you, but to the windows of buildings when it flew by.

Harvard Mk IV
Harvard Mk IV
The most important advanced pilot trainer of World War II was the AT-6 Texan. The aircraft was so good and so popular, that it was used by many different service branches and many different countries. Our aircraft was one of those licensed by Canadian Car and Foundry in Canada where it was known as the "Harvard"
Be sure to check out our Aerobatic Shows and find out more about the remote control aircraft.
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Background image collage and picture of L5 airplane by Tony Evans
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