Combat Air Museum History


TOPEKA REGIONAL AIRPORT @ FORBES FIELD, TOPEKA, KANSAS



The Combat Air Museum Story The Combat Air Museum was organized in 1976 as a wing of David Tallichet's Yesterday's Air Force - California as Yesterday's Air Force - Kansas Wing. The founding group's interest was aroused by the declining number of WWII operable aircraft. Originally, the core of the display was aircraft from the Yesterday's Air Force large collection of dynamic military aircraft. Most notable was the crown jewel of this collection, the B-24J Liberator bomber, the only one flying in the world at that time. In the beginning, aircraft and memorablia were displayed under an agreement whereby volunteers from the local group would restore and maintain Yesterday's Air Force aircraft in return for the privilege of displaying them in Topeka. In April 1977, the group reorganized under the name of Combat Air Museum and relocated to Hangar #602 at Forbes Field. All donations made to the Society are tax deductible within IRS guidelines.
Forbes Field Figures Significantly in the History of Topeka The Topeka Army Air Field (TAAF) was placed into operation in 1942. Originally, B-24 Liberator bombers operated from the field, but during its history it has been home to a large variety of flying units and aircraft types. The link below is a more detailed history.
A History of Forbes Field
Daniel Hugh Forbes Born June 6, 1920 in Carbondale, KS (about 8 miles south of the Topeka Regional Airport/Forbes Field), Daniel was an only child of Daniel Sr. and Hattie FORBES of Topeka, KS. Daniel graduated from North High School Wichita, KS, then attended Wichita University, Wichita, KS (now Wichita State University) and Kansas State College, Manhattan, KS (now Kansas State University). Forbes joined the US Army 5 June 1941 as an Aviation Cadet. During his career he became one of the pioneers of strategic photo reconnaissance, flying combat missions from bases in North Africa and India piloting the B-17, B-24, and several other aircraft. He continued the photo reconnaissance missions in the Pacific theater, flying the B-29 airframe (re-designated F-13), and continued through the Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests. He married Hazel MOOG of Defiance, OH in March 1948. His last assignment was as a test pilot, Flight Test Center Wright Field, OH. Daniel Hugh Forbes, Jr. was killed during a test flight of a YB-49 (flying wing) aircraft on June 5, 1948 at Muroc Air Force Base in California, later designated Edwards Air Force Base, after the co-pilot on the same fatal mission. The following is a statement found in the official accident report of the Aviation Safety Network: “Crashed owing to catastrophic structural failure during a scheduled test flight. Both outer wing sections separated from the airframe during the pull-out from a dive which was believed to have followed an intentional stall. Pilot Major Daniel Forbes, copilot Captain Glen Edwards, Lt. Edward Lee Swindell and two other aviators killed.” Topeka Air Force Base was renamed Forbes Field on July 16, 1949 after the pilot of the crashed YB-49. Forbes was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his test work with the YB-49 aircraft (see below)


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