Audie Murphy Day 2013 schedule 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Audie Murphy Display
Charles Rike Memorial Library 203 Orange Street
Courtesy photos
A BT-15 Valiant, left, and a PT-17 Stearman are two of the airplanes that audience members will get to see this year prior to the parade.
Flying high Aircraft remind, reinforce history gone by
Beautiful colors, graceful elegance and a bit of history will be flying overhead during the Audie Murphy Day festivities. Three planes from the Ghost Squadron Commemorative Air Force Dallas/Fort Worth Wing will be joining the festivities this year. Audience members attending the parade will get to see a Vultee BT-15 Valiant, PT-17 Stearman and T-6 as they fly over the downtown square prior to the start of the parade. Unlike prior years where the F-14s could only fly over in one pass, these airplanes will be making multiple passes and flying slower, which will give photographers a chance to enjoy the show. One such aircraft is the BT15 Valiant named Little Noodle. The “noodle” will be flown by Jim Breitenstine. Among the numerous American types of aircraft developed for pilot training during World War II was this aircraft, the beautifully restored BT, or basic trainer, is stored at the DFW Wing hangar at Lancaster Airport. The high-visibility paint and colors on the BT are to help identify student pilots. The DFW Wing BT was built in 1941 and served at several California based until April
1943. This plane was donated to the CAF in 1979 and then joined the DFW Wing in 1989. The plane goes on many special shows throughout the year. Another aircraft that audience members will get to see will be a T-6 trainer. “After some time flying, a pilot would use this aircraft prior to going to their final assignment,” Breitenstine said. The T-6 will be flown by DFW Wing member Marty Case. A PT-17 Stearman will be flown over the downtown square prior to the start of the parade as well. The plane will be flown by DFW Wing member Russ Coonley. “A Stearman was usually the first plane a pilot would fly,” Breitenstine said. For members of the DFW Wing flying old airplanes is what they do best. “We love to fly and have a love of old airplanes,” he said. Most members are retired, some are flying pilots and some are military pilots. “We try to teach younger generations about what their grandfathers did in the second World War,” Breitenstine said. Another airplane that the DFW Wing has is the Stinson L-5 Sentinel named Miss Ziggy, though it is currently out of commission.
This aircraft is painted in the Okinawa scheme with gray on the lower surfaces, green on the upper surfaces and shark’s teeth on the nose. The L-5 Sentinel served in all theaters of World War II. While serving on Okinawa, the 163 Liaison Squadron, using 36 L-5 aircraft, received a commendation from Joseph Stilwell for evacuating 1,212 wounded from makeshift forward strips without accident and without interference with normal duties. This was accomplished despite heavy fire from hostile forces during the period from May 15, 1945, to June 21, 1945. The Commemorative Air Force, according to the website www.commemorativeairforce. org, was founded to acquire, restore and preserve in flying
condition a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States, and selected aircraft of other nations, for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans. Though the group has collected miraculous aircraft of years gone by, the CAF Ghost Squadron also recreates, reminds and reinforces the lessons learned from the defining moments in American military aviation history. The DFW Wing of the CAF is stationed in Lancaster at the Lancaster airport. The DFW Wing hangar is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays noon to 4 p.m. and other days by appointment.
Love airplanes? The DFW Wing Ghost Squadron will be hosting Warbirds on Parade from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 at Lancaster Airport. The event is being hosted to honor veterans and current military personnel. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per car load. There will be warbirds, classic cars, paratroopers, reinactors, helicopters, Cold War and Cavanaugh Museum displays, food, drinks and more displays in the hangar. Airplane rides may be booked for after 4 p.m. that day. For more information contact Russ Coonley at 940466-3672 or via email at coonleyfarms@aol.com.
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7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Registration for veterans First United Methodist Church 206 N. Main Street Refreshments provided by members of FUMC
8 a.m. Merchandise sales begin at FUMC
Hats, T-shirts and videos available
10 a.m. Flyover and Downtown parade begins 10:45 a.m. Program honoring veterans Onion Shed Historical remembrance of Audie Murphy Roll call of local veterans Comments by Retired Air Force pilot Greg Barber
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Historical exhibit Bain-Honaker House College Street
Noon Veterans reception First United Methodist Church Lunch provided by area 4H clubs