Six Retired USAF Warbirds Still Flying With Commemorative

Thousands of retired military aircraft remain airworthy in civilian hands, operating under specific Federal Aviation Administration certifications. The FAA regulates turbine-powered ex-military types over 9,000 pounds and 3,000 pounds of thrust, while most World War II-era piston aircraft fly under Limited or Experimental Exhibition airworthiness certificates. These categories allow surplus military planes to operate safely for exhibition and education, not for carrying paying passengers on demand.

All six aircraft listed trace their origins to the US Army Air Forces and fly today with the nonprofit Commemorative Air Force. Precise fleet counts are difficult to establish, so survivor numbers are based on estimates from enthusiast registers, museum records, and the CAF itself.

The B-25 Mitchell Still Flies Thanks To Its Simple Design

North American's B-25 Mitchell first flew in August 1940. It gained fame in April 1942 during the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo. Simple Flying reports that around 40 of the nearly 9,900 built are still believed to be airworthy. Museums and warbird operators fund their maintenance through public rides.

These surviving Mitchells are more than static displays. A small number perform at airshows, offering a rare glimpse of a World War II medium bomber in operation. The CAF flies at least two, named "Yellow Rose" and "Maid in the Shade." The latter is one of only 34 B-25J models still flying. Both retain their original twin Wright R-2600 engines, each rated at roughly 1,700 horsepower.

The Mitchell served as a low-level strafer and skip bomber across multiple war theaters. It was praised for its ruggedness and ability to absorb battle damage. However, as a twin-engine medium bomber, it never carried the strategic weight of the war's heavier four-engine types.

The B-24 Liberator Is The Rarest Flying Bomber

Consolidated built more than 18,000 B-24 Liberators, making it the most-produced multi-engine aircraft in history. Yet, of roughly 14 complete surviving airframes, only one remains airworthy. That sole flying example is the CAF's Diamond Lil.

This aircraft tours more than 120 cities a year. It has a 110-foot wingspan and is powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines. The Liberator's high-aspect-ratio Davis wing gave it a top speed of 303 miles per hour, faster than the B-17 Flying Fortress. The National WWII Museum of New Orleans documented this performance.

Liberators flew in every theater of World War II. Their twin bomb-bay compartments could carry up to 8,000 pounds of ordnance. Production was distributed across multiple factories, including Ford's massive Willow Run facility, in an extraordinary exercise in American mass production.

The C-47 Skytrain Family: One Of The Tools That Won The War

The military C-47 Skytrain was adapted from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. General Dwight D. Eisenhower later named it one of the tools that won the war, as reported by CBS News. More than 10,000 C-47s were built for the US military alone.

The type hauled troops, towed gliders, dropped paratroopers, and evacuated wounded. The most historically significant survivor may be "That's All, Brother," the lead aircraft of the main Allied airborne assault on Normandy on June 6, 1944. After being lost for years, Air Force historians rediscovered it in 2015.

The CAF restored it to its exact 1944 D-Day configuration. According to the EAA, it returned to the sky in January 2018 and later flew back to Normandy for anniversary commemorations. Thousands of surplus C-47s and DC-3s reentered civilian life after the war, helping rebuild global commercial aviation.

Fewer Than Ten B-17 Flying Fortresses Remain Airworthy

Boeing, Douglas and Lockheed built 12,731 B-17 Flying Fortresses. Simple Flying puts the number still airworthy today at fewer than ten, out of about 45 complete surviving airframes. The B-17 was the backbone of the US Eighth Air Force's daylight bombing campaign over Germany.

The CAF's example, "Sentimental Journey," is a B-17G built in late 1944. It was delivered too late for combat and later served as an air-sea rescue aircraft and fire bomber before its 1978 donation. Restored with original Boeing drawings, it is powered by four Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines.

Each engine is rated at 1,200 horsepower, giving the aircraft a top speed around 300 miles per hour, as documented by the Hill Aerospace Museum. It now tours the country as part of the CAF's Flying Legends of Victory Tour. Its combat importance and survival rarity place it firmly among the most significant warbirds.

The P-51 Mustang Is The Most Common WWII Fighter Still In The Air

North American built more than 15,000 P-51 Mustangs before production ended in 1946. The type remained in frontline service with some air forces into the 1980s. According to the enthusiast registry MustangsMust, it is the most numerous World War II fighter still flying today.

The Mustang's longevity is attributed to its strong design and the availability of parts and support from the warbird community. Many are owned privately and perform regularly at airshows across the United States. The CAF operates several examples, maintaining them for historical demonstration.

Its combination of range, speed, and firepower made it a legendary escort fighter for bomber formations over Europe. The continued operation of these aircraft depends on the specialist restoration and pilot expertise found within organizations like the Commemorative Air Force.