Volunteers Rally to Bring Forgotten WWII Trainer Back to Life
Kansas City, KS (September 24, 2025) – The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Heart of America Wing, feels that preserving history isn’t just about the aircraft — it’s about the people who devote their time, passion, and talent to “Keep ’em Flying.” That spirit was on full display this summer when a small group of volunteers embarked on a remarkable mission: to rescue a long-forgotten British de Havilland Tiger Moth from a dusty hangar in rural Arkansas and give it a second chance at life in the skies.
It all started with a simple message. In May, Hearts of America Wing’s Operations Officer, Brian Von Bevern, received an email asking if he’d seen a Tiger Moth listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace. The ad was posted in Fayetteville, Arkansas — several hours from Brian’s home near Kansas City — but the prospect was too tempting to ignore.
What he found was the kind of story collectors and aviators dream about but rarely experience: a genuine barn find. Hidden in a small hangar on a quiet farm was a World War II-era Australian Air Force Tiger Moth, untouched and forgotten for more than 30 years. Once a trainer that helped shape young pilots for wartime service, the classic biplane had become a time capsule — and an irresistible project for the CAF volunteers determined to restore it.
In September, Brian — joined by fellow unit members Bob Robinson and Rick Schubert — traveled to Arkansas to recover the aircraft. Carefully removing the wings and preparing the fuselage for transport, the team trailered the historic biplane back to the Heart of America Wing’s base hangar. There, a new chapter for the Tiger Moth will begin.
“Our hope is to return her to flying condition so that future generations can enjoy her,” said Schubert, who also serves as adjunct and the wing’s social media editor. “Many members have already offered to help with the restoration. People want to be a part of putting her back in the air.”
For the Heart of America Wing, the Tiger Moth’s discovery is about much more than acquiring another airplane — it’s a symbol of the dedication and teamwork that define the CAF mission. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization, and their contributions extend far beyond the hangar. They dedicate countless hours to restoration projects like this one while also help running educational programs, community events, and outreach initiatives that bring aviation history to life.
That dedication is paying off. Through the hard work of its members, the Hearts of America Wing has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. The group hosts a free, family-friendly Open Hangar Day on the first Saturday of each month, welcoming the public to explore vintage aircraft up close. Thanks to increased volunteer involvement, attendance at these events has surged by more than 800% this year, allowing the Wing to share its mission to Educate, Inspire, and Honor with more people than ever before.
The Tiger Moth will soon join the wing’s growing fleet of classic trainers, including a Stearman and a PT-19. Once restored, it will not only support CAF events and educational programs but also grace the skies over Kansas City on warm summer evenings — a living reminder of the aircraft that prepared countless young aviators for the challenges of war.
“This is one of those storybook finds you hear about but never expect to see,” said Schubert. “It’s exciting to know she’ll fly again, but what’s even more meaningful is the way our members come together to make it happen. That’s what the CAF is all about.”
From a forgotten hangar in Arkansas to a new home in Kansas, the Tiger Moth’s journey is a testament to what passionate volunteers can accomplish. As the Heart of America Wing continues to grow and welcome new members, stories like this one remind us that the past is never truly lost — it just takes dedicated hands to help it soar again.
