Aircraft
The Piper J-3 Cub was designed to honor British military pilots. The Piper Aircraft Corporation in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, designed a fundraising campaign to help disabled Royal Air Force pilots. They designed the Flitfire and gave the aircraft British military markings. The completed Flitfire planes were raffled off to raise money. The fundraiser was a great success. While the Flitfire never saw active duty in the English skies, it served as a reminder to Americans of the strong ties between the United States and Great Britain.
Jack Krindler of New York won the first J-3 Flitfire, NC1776. Krindler sold the plane to a fixed base operator in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. There the Flitfire served the War Department in the U.S. Civilian Pilot Training Program, although no record exists of the number of fledgling pilots who sat in its cockpit during the war years. After exchanging hands a few more times, the Flitfire was bought by Henderson Aviation in Felton, Delaware with the understanding that it would be returned to its original color and markings. The plane was completely restored.
Today, only 13 of the original 49 Flitfires survive. The NC1776 is the only one in its exact configuration including engine, propeller and three-piece windshield. To add to the distinction of this unique aircraft, the NC1776 was also flown by Orville Wright in 1943!
The Stearman was one of the most widely used training aircraft for the military in the 1940s.
Perfect for aerobatics, the Stearman taught many fighter pilots the combat techniques that were essential to their survival.
The Cessna L-19 is nicknamed "Bird Dog" for good reason. This aircraft’s mission was simple — to seek out enemy positions, order air strikes and assess the damage. Sounds simple enough...however, the Bird Dog and its pilots were in danger of being shot down since these tasks were usually executed while flying at tree-top level!
2222-G Pilots View Road
Asheboro, NC 27204
Phone: (336) 625-0170
Fax: (336) 625-2984