More Than 20 Classic Aircraft From The Golden Age Of Flying

Tony Caldwell was hosting discovery flights as the finishing touches were put on his latest Caldwell Collection exhibit, which celebrated its grand opening to the public in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday October 4 at Mustang Field at El Reno Regional Airport (KRQO) in El Reno, Oklahoma. The collection features more than 20 vintage airplanes from the Golden Age of aviation.

The grand opening celebration also included exhibits and live restoration demonstrations. The collection includes several Waco biplanes and a Stearman PT-17 trainer, and is housed in a completely restored 1943 World War II hangar.

The grand opening also coincided with the airport’s 6th Annual Fly-In and Community Day that also had discovery flights, live demonstrations of restoration techniques, and close-up exhibits.

Caldwell said, “I’m excited to be able to share my love of vintage aircraft with Canadian County and all of Oklahoma. It’s a privilege to restore these beautiful planes. Everyone has a unique history and special place in the collection.”

The Wacos in the collection were manufactured from 1920 through the end of the 1940s, and led the industry in production of registered aircraft as the best-selling civilian biplane in the U.S. at that time.

The Stearman PT-17 is on loan from Waldo Wright’s Flying Service out of Florida and is piloted by its owner, Waldo “Rob” Wright. He also runs the Waldo Wright Restoration Shop onsite, which is both a workshop and living exhibit where visitors can watch the work being done to restore the vintage airplanes.

The restored 30,000-square-foot hangar housing the workshop also contains a café and a small library.

FMI:  www.thecaldwellcollection.org/