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Mustang Day At Nut Tree Airport
By Jim Dunn
Representing the Navy fighter aircraft of World War II is Tom Camp’s General Motors built FM-2. Flown at the event by Brain Sanders, the FM-2 Wildcat was the final production version of the Grumman F4F that carried much of the fighting in some of the most difficult early days in the Pacific. (Jim Dunn)On Oct. 9, under a bright-blue California sky the Travis AFB Air Museum, in association with Solano County/Nut Tree Airport, held the second edition of Mustang Day. The event featured examples of both the famous World War II North American P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft and the Ford Motor Company’s popular “Pony” car, the Ford Mustang.
This year, there were a total of five P-51 Mustangs on the ramp for visitors to see close-up. These Mustangs included: Bob Button’s highly modified Reno air racer Voodoo; Ted Contri’s P-51D Rosalie; Terry Tarditi’s P-51D Comfortably Numb; Michael Coutches modified P-51D; and the Nut Tree-based P-51D Sparky, owned by Steve Seghetti.
Inspiration Chino Air Museum: Evolution Of The Mustang
At Planes Of Fame you can view their rare airworthy P-51A 43-6251 named Mrs. Virginia, while A-36A 42-83731 has just been restored to flight for owner Tom Friedkin by Fighter Rebuilders.
The Pylon Place - June 2010
Chino, Madera and PRS Preview:
Planes of Fame Does it Again
By Marilyn Dash
Mustangs and more Mustangs. (Jason Fisher)The Planes of Fame Airshow gets better every year. Each year we turn to each other at the end and say, “That was the best ever, how will they ever outdo that!” But, the following year, they do.
This year was the salute to “The Greatest Generation” and it was quite a salute. Jonna Doolittle Hoppes led panel discussions with the following veterans: Maj. General John “Johnny” Alison (the “father” of Air Force Special Operations, WWII ace, and Korean War veteran); Clarence “Bud” Anderson (P-51 “Old Crow” triple ace in WWII); Col. John Doolittle (WWII and Korean War veteran); Bill Holloman (Tuskegee Airman P-51 pilot); Huie Lamb (P-47 and P-51 pilot); Wilbur Richardson (B-17 ball turret gunner, Purple Heart recipient); William “Bill” Spengler (P-51 “Buzzin Cuzzin”). This panel discussion was broadcast over the speaker system while many of the visitors walked the Airshow grounds to see the aircraft.