Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum, Military aviation museum in Mesa, United States

The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum in Mesa displays historical military aircraft, weapons, and wartime artifacts from aviation history. The collection includes restored combat aircraft and bombers that show visitors how aviation evolved during major conflicts.

The museum was established to preserve military aviation history and displays aircraft that served during major conflicts of the 20th century. The collection focuses especially on aircraft from World War II and their role in the air campaigns of that era.

The museum's name honors the Commemorative Air Force, founded on 6 September 1961 and chartered as a nonprofit Texas corporation in Dallas to restore and preserve World War II combat aircraft. The Arizona Wing became its 10th unit. The idea began in 1957, when Lloyd Nolen and a small group of ex-service pilots from the Rio Grande Valley pooled money to buy a P-51 Mustang.

Most aircraft and exhibits sit inside the hangar, while some airworthy planes stand outside on the airfield; the Mechanics Hangar next door is where aircraft are repaired and restored. Before entering, look for the B-29 propeller and the 3-inch Mark 33 deck gun from the USS Guam on the front lawn. The gift shop is inside the hangar.

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain on display, nicknamed "Old Number 30", flew secret missions from Brindisi, Italy, in 1944 carrying spies, supplies and wounded refugees; its story stayed classified for 70 years. The name honors Mule #30, one of four mules flown with partisan commandos to a secret Balkan site.