Rob Moverley speaks with Our Ventura TV host, Gary Butterworth, about the Commemorative Air Force.
Moverly is the membership officer of the CAF SoCal Wing based in Camarillo. The organization is the Southern California wing of the Commemorative Air Force, an international body that maintains and flies a substantial collection of historic military aircraft. The SoCal Wing operates a flying museum with about 14 active aircraft.
Volunteer backgrounds and aircraft representations extend beyond the U.S. Air Force to encompass the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and international military forces from various eras.
Unique Aircraft and Maintenance Needs
Moverly serves as the crew chief for a 1944 Supermarine Spitfire Mark 14. He explains that maintaining historic planes—particularly British designs—requires unique considerations compared to typical American fighters. While many American aircraft utilized radial engines, the Spitfire features an inline V12 liquid-cooled Rolls-Royce engine, a pneumatic braking system, and a propeller that rotates in the opposite direction. Due to the historical nature of the fleet, each flying hour requires roughly 10 hours of maintenance.
Flight Operations and Events
The museum regularly operates its fleet, with aircraft flying almost every week. Highlights of their operations include:
- Monthly public rides on a PBJ bomber that accommodates up to seven passengers.
- Individual rides in trainer aircraft.
- Flyovers for community events and participation in regional air shows.
- An annual air show held every August in Camarillo featuring the entire fleet.
Educational Outreach and STEM Cadet Program
To engage younger generations, the museum runs a cadet program aimed at youth aged 11 to 17. Cadets participate in hands-on STEM learning by restoring static aircraft, choosing paint schemes, and attending aviation lectures. Many participants go on to attend military institutions such as the Air Force Academy or pursue aviation careers. The initiative aims to inspire future volunteers, pilots, and mechanics as the existing volunteer base ages.
Hands-On Experiences and Living History
The museum prioritizes experiential learning by encouraging visitors to interact directly with static aircraft. Visitors can sit inside various cockpits, including a MiG-21, a Huey helicopter, and a North American T-6 Texan (Yank). Additionally, four to six times a year, the museum holds Living History presentations featuring guest speakers. Past speakers have included Royal Navy F-35 test pilots, experts on WWII female Spitfire pilots, and MiG-2 adversary pilots.
Passing on the Legacy of Flight
Moverly notes that while younger visitors may have limited initial knowledge of 20th-century military history, seeing and hearing vintage aircraft offers a visceral connection to the past.
TV broadcast week beginning 08/09/26
Producer: George Alger
Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org
Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com