Parts, for example, are becoming difficult to find. Mr. Stitt says making repairs often means cannibalizing decommissioned aircraft. The group even bought the tire molds for a B-17 when they had trouble finding tires for the plane. The Warbirds are lending a hand with the restoration of a B-17 Flying Fortress, My Gal Sal, spearheaded by area businessman Bob Ready. When completed, the aircraft will be part of a memorial at the airport.
People attending the air show can get a peek at the on-going restoration work.
It came in crates and crates. They have been working on the plane for a year, and they have another two years to go. The Flying Fortress was the workhorse of World War II, dropping more than a half-million tons of bombs on European targets. Ms. Popp says this particular plane was one of the several recovered during an expedition to Greenland. Warbird pilot Phillip Rountree of Boone County says he flies his plane as a way to show respect for and pay homage to the veteran flyers and their great sacrifices.