Coming in for landing
Published 9:15 am Tuesday, September 23, 2014
WWII Airplanes like the one shown above will be flying into Dowagiac Sunday. (Submitted photo)
Vintage WWII fighters taking part in Sunday’s airport fly-in
More than 70 years worth of history will touch down at the Dowagiac Municipal Airport this weekend, as 20 World War II- era airplanes will participate in the returning fly-in event Sunday.
A P-51 Mustang fighter plane, named “Gunfighter,” will lead a precession of fellow American warplanes, along with general-purpose aircraft piloted by members of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, from 7-11 a.m. The public is invited to check out the aircraft and their operators that morning, and will be able to enjoy a pancake breakfast provided by members of the Dowagiac Lions Club.
The vintage aircraft will be flying in from the Elkhart region, where they will be performing for an airshow that weekend, said airport manager Oscar Azevedo.
“The reason we’re bringing these ‘warbirds’ in is not only to honor our veterans, but to promote the preservation of these aircraft,” Azevedo said. “I think people would see a living display of the planes rather than see them in a museum.”
“Gunfighter” is one of the world’s most famous P-51’s still in service, appearing at airshows around the country. It was originally in service with the famed Eighth Air Force in England during the final months of World War II, in 1945. The aircraft was later transferred to the Air National Guard before being sold for civilian use in 1956.
The plane is one 140 Mustangs still in existence, Azevedo said.
“These planes are living history,” he said. “These are the machines that won the war. These are the machines that thousands of people were responsible for manufacturing, maintaining or piloting during the war.”
This is the first time in several years that the annual EAA fly-in will be held out at the airport. In addition to seeing the planes in action, attendees will be able to visit the hangers and speak with the pilots, Azevedo said.
“This is a rare opportunity to see World War II era airplanes, not just in flight but up close,” Azevedo said.
Admittance to the airport for the event is free.
