Stationed In Albuquerque For Bombardier Training

The Lobo Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, based in Moriarty, New Mexico, is in the process of rebuilding a World War II-era Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan that was used to train bombardier students, and after thousands of those students flew her, the aircraft is being restored to its former glory.

This specific AT-11 was originally based at the Albuquerque Army Airfield during the war.

Ralph Crump, Adjutant Officer of the Lobo Wing said, “This particular aircraft was stationed here in Albuquerque at the Albuquerque Army Airfield. It was the 15th aircraft off the Beechcraft assembly line, and it trained bombardiers here in Albuquerque. That’s one of the reasons why we got this airplane from the CAF, because it has history here.”

During training, each student got five bombs to practice with and were graded on how they performed. Their performance determined whether or not they went on to become a bombardier or proceeded to fly combat aircraft.

David McBride, Leader of the LOBO Wing said, “These airplanes would fly every day with two students, one pilot, and one bombardier instructor. They’d fly from Albuquerque Army Airfield out to what’s now the west mesa and Rio Rancho, and west Albuquerque. That whole area was a bombing range back in World War II.”

The CAF located the aircraft, the first AT-11 it acquired. After tracing the serial number through its logbooks, they determined that it did, in fact, began its service life in Albuquerque in 1942. The Lobo Wing has been working on the restoration since 2002.At this point the engines and props have been rebuilt and are ready to fly.

McBride noted, “Parts are very difficult to come by, and some we had to manufacture. It’s a difficult process to restore such a unique airplane.” All that remains is to finish putting the skin back on and get FAA approval. The Wing says it will be ready to fly sometime in 2026.

FMI:  www.lobowing.org/