From Normandy to the Bulge | Restoring a Historic WWII C-47 Skytrain

From Normandy to the Bulge | Restoring a Historic WWII C-47 Skytrain

Before dawn on D-Day, C-47 Skytrains filled the skies over Normandy carrying paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions into occupied Europe. Months later, during the Battle of the Bulge, those same aircraft flew desperately needed supplies through brutal winter weather to surrounded Allied troops in the Ardennes.  One of those aircraft still survives. In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, we explore the restoration of C-47A Skytrain 43-15200—better known by its wartime nose art name, “Francis L.” Now undergoing restoration at the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base.  This historic aircraft participated in Operation Overlord and later served during the Battle of the Bulge. Guest Arthur Sullivan takes us behind the scenes of the ambitious restoration effort, including the rebuilding of the aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engines and the painstaking work required to return the aircraft to historically accurate condition.  Recovered from Alaska and now beginning a new chapter in Georgia, “Francis L.” represents more than a surviving aircraft—it is a direct connection to the aircrews and paratroopers who helped change the course of World War II. You can watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/LmN7QFI_KMI [https://youtu.be/LmN7QFI_KMI]. * Aired on: June 12, 2026 * Guest: Arthur Sullivan * Host: Steve Buss * Producer: 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.

B-17 Tail Gunner to POW: The Story of Tailspin

For decades, Gene Moran rarely spoke about what happened in the skies over Germany.  In Tailspin, author John Armbruster brings that story to life—from a catastrophic fall from a shattered B-17 to the harsh realities of life as a prisoner of war. Along the way, the story becomes something more: a shared journey between two men confronting trauma, loss, and the challenge of telling the truth about war.  In this Warbird Tube episode, we talk with Armbruster about the process of uncovering this story and why preserving these voices matters now more than ever. * Aired on: May 29, 2026 * Guest: John Armbruster * Host: Steve Buss * Producer: Bob Score * Produced by: Commemorative Air Force [https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/warbirdtube] 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.

Saving the Halifax: A Race Against Time

More than 6,000 Handley Page Halifax bombers were built during World War II. Today, only a handful remain.  At the Bomber Command Museum of Canada, an extraordinary team of volunteers, historians, and restoration experts is working to bring one of these legendary heavy bombers back from history—piece by piece. Using recovered wreckage, rare original parts, and components sourced from around the world, they are rebuilding a Halifax to honor the crews who flew them into combat over Europe.  But this is more than a Canadian story. During World War II, more than 8,800 Americans crossed the border to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force before the United States officially entered the War.  Many of them flew aboard Halifax bombers during some of the most dangerous missions of the conflict. Thousands never returned.  In this episode of CAF Warbird Tube, we go behind the scenes of one of the most important warbird restoration projects underway today. Discover the history of the Halifax, the international effort to preserve it, and the people dedicating countless hours to ensure these stories are never forgotten. This is not just the restoration of an aircraft—it is the restoration of memory.  Subscribe for more aviation history, warbird stories, and behind-the-scenes access from the Commemorative Air Force.  Aired on: May 22, 2026 Guest: Karl Kjarsgaard Host: Steve Buss Producer: Bob Score Produced by: Commemorative Air Force 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.

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.