Aviation Enthusiasts to Hold Fund-Raiser

A rare German bomber and other vintage World War II aircraft will take to the skies over Camarillo this week as part of an open house fund-raiser sponsored by the Southern California Wing of the Confederate Air Force.

The open house, which gets underway today at noon at Camarillo Airport, will help raise $1 million to pay for two new museum hangars that will house prized aircraft owned by members of the aviation group.

The open house will start with the arrival of a B-17 bomber and a German He-111 bomber. Air force members will fly these and other World War II-era aircraft at the open house today, Saturday and Sunday. Several vintage planes will also be available for public tours Friday through Wednesday.

“This is a flying museum,” said Confederate Air Force member Bob Dolan. “We want to keep these aircraft where people can actually see them rather than just read about them in history books.”

The Heinkel He-111 bomber on display was the personal transport of the late Spanish dictator Francisco Franco during the war. The B-17 was based in the Pacific and later served as an air-sea rescue craft and to help fight thousands of fires across the country.

But the event is more than a history lesson.

The Confederate Air Force is in need of new hangars.

The existing hangar, which is owned by the city of Camarillo, was built during World War II and is falling apart, said Pat Brown, a spokesman for the aviation group.

“It has been a hard row for us to hoe,” Brown said. “We know that the end could come before we get the money raised.”

Aircraft will be on display at the airport from from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m today through Wednesday. Tours are available for a nominal fee. Call 483-7575 or 482-0064 for more information.