CAF Warbird Tube

53 Days Without Rescue – The Untold Story of Starvation Island

For 53 brutal days during World War II, a small group of American servicemen fought to survive on a remote Pacific island with almost no food, constant danger, and little hope of rescue. In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, we sit down with bestselling military historian and author John R. Bruning to discuss his gripping book, Fifty-Three Days on Starvation Island: The World War II Battle That Saved Marine Corps Aviation. This episode explores the desperate struggle faced by Marines and aviators during the Guadalcanal campaign, where starvation, disease, exhaustion, and relentless combat became part of daily life. It’s a story not just about war, but about endurance, leadership, sacrifice, and survival against overwhelming odds.  If you enjoy untold World War II history, Pacific Theater stories, Marine Corps aviation history, and firsthand accounts of survival, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. You can watch this show on YouTube at https://youtu.be/lka3sswY9PQ [https://youtu.be/lka3sswY9PQ]. * Aired on: May 8, 2026 * Guest: John R. Bruning * Host: Steve Buss * Producer: Bob Score Jr. * Produced by: Commemorative Air Force [https://commemorativeairforce.org/] Want to learn more about this show and upcoming episodes? Go to, www.cafwarbirdtube.com [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/warbirdtube], for more info.  Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2246849/fan_mail/new] Thanks for watching CAF Warbird Tube — where history takes flight. You can join us live for upcoming broadcasts by registering at www.WarbirdTube.com [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/warbirdtube].  The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is dedicated to Educating, Inspiring, and Honoring through flight and living history experiences. Programs like this help preserve and share the stories of aviation history — and we couldn’t do it without your support. To learn more or get involved, visit www.CommemorativeAirForce.org [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/LandHere]. Thanks for helping us keep history flying.

Bringing a Thunderbolt Back to Life | Inside the CAF’s P-47 Restoration

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the most powerful fighters of World War II—but keeping one flying today is a mission of passion, skill, and persistence. In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, we go behind the scenes of the  Commemorative Air Force’s P-47 restoration project at Airbase Georgia. CAF member Philip Beegle III and warbird pilot Doug Jeanes share what it really takes to bring this iconic aircraft back to life—from challenges in restoration to the deeper meaning of preserving history in motion.  This is more than a rebuild—it’s a commitment to honoring those who flew and maintained these aircraft in wartime. You can watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Gwey_zXoF5U [https://youtu.be/Gwey_zXoF5U]. * Aired on: April 24, 2026 * Guests: Philip Beegle III, Doug Jeanes * Host: Steve Buss * Producer: Leah Block * Produced By: Commemorative Air Force Visit www.CAFwarbirdtube.com [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/warbirdtube] to learn about upcoming shows.  Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2246849/fan_mail/new] Thanks for watching CAF Warbird Tube — where history takes flight. You can join us live for upcoming broadcasts by registering at www.WarbirdTube.com [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/warbirdtube].  The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is dedicated to Educating, Inspiring, and Honoring through flight and living history experiences. Programs like this help preserve and share the stories of aviation history — and we couldn’t do it without your support. To learn more or get involved, visit www.CommemorativeAirForce.org [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/LandHere]. Thanks for helping us keep history flying.

Inside the Massive Effort to Restore a Lancaster Bomber

The Avro Lancaster is one of the most iconic bombers of the Second World War, but keeping one alive today is no small task. In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, host Steve Buss sits down with Don Christopher to take you inside the remarkable Lancaster restoration project underway at the Canadian Aviation Museum.  From tracking down rare original parts to solving major structural challenges, this is a behind-the-scenes look at the work required to preserve one of history’s most important aircraft. If you’re interested in aviation history, aircraft restoration, or the stories behind the machines, this episode offers a rare look at what it takes to keep these legends flying. To watch this video, go to https://youtu.be/d2rtH-Smh2c [https://youtu.be/d2rtH-Smh2c]. * Aired On: April 10, 2026 * Guest: Don Christopher * Host: Steve Buss * Produced by: Bob Score * Producer: Commemorative Air Force  [https://commemorativeairforce.org/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2246849/fan_mail/new] Thanks for watching CAF Warbird Tube — where history takes flight. You can join us live for upcoming broadcasts by registering at www.WarbirdTube.com [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/warbirdtube].  The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is dedicated to Educating, Inspiring, and Honoring through flight and living history experiences. Programs like this help preserve and share the stories of aviation history — and we couldn’t do it without your support. To learn more or get involved, visit www.CommemorativeAirForce.org [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/LandHere]. Thanks for helping us keep history flying.

A Memory Owed: Telling the Untold Stories of Bomber Command

In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, filmmaker Zoë Lewin and writer-director Martin Hemingway-Moseley take us inside their award-winning short film A Memory Owed (2025), a deeply personal story that bridges two worlds. Set between a perilous 1944 RAF Bomber Command night mission and a present-day meeting between a 91-year-old veteran and his young caregiver, the film explores how the past continues to shape the present. Inspired in part by Lewin’s own family history, A Memory Owed captures the emotional reality behind wartime service—moving beyond aircraft and missions to focus on memory, loss, and human connection. In this conversation, Lewin and Hemingway-Moseley share how the story came together, the historical research behind the film, and the creative decisions that brought authenticity to both timelines. This episode offers a thoughtful look at the legacy of Bomber Command and the enduring power of storytelling to preserve voices that might otherwise be lost. You can watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/u4ZVWMXsqbw [https://youtu.be/u4ZVWMXsqbw]. * Aired on: April 3, 2026 * Guests: Filmmaker Zoë Lewin and writer-director Martin Hemingway-Moseley * Host: Steve Buss * Producer: Bob Score  * Produced by: Commemorative Air Force [https://commemorativeairforce.org/home] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2246849/fan_mail/new] Thanks for watching CAF Warbird Tube — where history takes flight. You can join us live for upcoming broadcasts by registering at www.WarbirdTube.com [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/warbirdtube].  The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is dedicated to Educating, Inspiring, and Honoring through flight and living history experiences. Programs like this help preserve and share the stories of aviation history — and we couldn’t do it without your support. To learn more or get involved, visit www.CommemorativeAirForce.org [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/LandHere]. Thanks for helping us keep history flying.

Country Music Star & Warbird Pilot Aaron Tippin

Country music star Aaron Tippin is widely known for patriotic hits like “You’ve Got to Stand for Something” and “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly.” But beyond the stage, Tippin is also a passionate aviator with a deep appreciation for historic aircraft and the stories they represent.  In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, Tippin joins the conversation to talk about his lifelong connection to aviation, his experience flying warbirds, and why preserving historic aircraft remains an important mission.  The discussion also explores Tippin’s new single, “American Sky,” a song that reflects on the meaning of freedom, heritage, and the generations who served to defend it. The themes behind the music connect naturally with the mission of the Commemorative Air Force, which works to keep historic military aircraft flying so that future generations can experience aviation history firsthand.  From the cockpit to the recording studio, Tippin shares how aviation and music have both shaped his life and why honoring veterans and American history continues to inspire his work.  Go to https://www.aarontippin.com/ [https://www.aarontippin.com/] to learn more about upcoming shows, music, and info on his new album release. You can watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/XiC-66HWZ3U [https://youtu.be/XiC-66HWZ3U]. * Aired on: March 25, 2025 * Guest: Aaron Tippin * Host: Steve Buss * Editor: Bob Score * Produced by: Commemorative Air Force [https://commemorativeairforce.org/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2246849/fan_mail/new] Thanks for watching CAF Warbird Tube — where history takes flight. You can join us live for upcoming broadcasts by registering at www.WarbirdTube.com [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/warbirdtube].  The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is dedicated to Educating, Inspiring, and Honoring through flight and living history experiences. Programs like this help preserve and share the stories of aviation history — and we couldn’t do it without your support. To learn more or get involved, visit www.CommemorativeAirForce.org [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/LandHere]. Thanks for helping us keep history flying.