Falcon Field was established in September 1941 as a military base during World War II to train British Royal Air Force and U.S. Army Air Corps pilots. In honor of all of the brave men and women who were worked and trained here, we have begun installation of historic photographic wraps of the early days of Falcon Field onto some airport hangars and facilities. There are currently 16 historical wraps that honor the role that Falcon Field played in training pilots during World War II. These images are reminders of the sacrifices made by so many during World War II to protect our freedom, and we invite the public to view them. Many of the wraps can be viewed from Falcon Drive and from the Falcon Field Airport terminal parking lot.

Tower Airside (North Side)

The mission seemed straightforward enough. Simply enlarge the chosen photograph of a World War II flying cadet who trained at Falcon Field and attach it to the north side of the air traffic control tower. The application process is a photo printing technique on sticky vinyl called a “wrap”. However, it was discovered that enlarging a grainy 3” tall by 1” wide photo to 38’ tall and 18’ wide, and still having it recognizable, was nearly impossible. It was said that it would have been easier to enlarge a postage stamp to the size of Rhode Island.

Undaunted, the project team reached out to numerous experts in the digital photo-imagery profession involving companies or individuals from across the entire country including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Grand Canyon University; Seattle, WA; San Francisco, CA; Santa Maria, CA; and the GIS team at the City of Mesa's Engineering Department.

The final product is the result of hours of computer processing, numerous emails, telephone calls and personal outreach to those who were able to provide technical assistance.

Tower Land Side (South Side)

The newest wrap was recently installed on the south side of the air traffic control tower. It features a woman mechanic applying cleaning solution to a T-6 aircraft engine. This wrap was selected to highlight the vital role that women played in the war effort as well as the many positions they hold in aviation today.

Other Falcon Field Building Wraps

Cadets pose for a picture after their graduation ceremony.

Hangar NN (Can be seen from Falcon Drive)

(Left Picture) Advanced phase instructors are offering preflight briefings to cadets. (Right Picture) Some of the cadets at Falcon Field were able to play extras in the Hollywood production "Thunderbirds." This is a promotional photo they took for the film.

Located between the airport terminal and the air traffic control tower

After a cadet completed his first solo mission, he would celebrate by getting tossed into the Falcon Field swimming pool by the other cadets.

Located on the east wall of the restroom building at Falcon Field Park

Cadet pilots training in Boeing Stearman Model 75 "Kaydets" over Mesa.

Located on the Empire Hangar (Can be seen from Fighter Aces Drive and Falcon Field Park)

The T-6 trainer, called the "Texan" by Americans, and called the "Harvard" by British cadets, was the most popular training aircraft during the World War II era.

Hangar GG (Can be seen from Falcon Drive)

Cadets prepare for a training session at Falcon Field.

Hangar O

T-6 "Texans" flown by cadet pilots.

Hangar L