P-51 and other planes take to skies for Burnet Bluebonnet Airshow
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
BURNET — Cowden Ward Jr. grew up in West Texas, where he watched Disney’s “Pecos Bill” and developed a love for flying — especially classic warbirds such as the North American P-51 Mustang.“I don’t know what it is about them,” Ward said of the sleek World War II fighter plane. He held his hand up about waist level. “Since I was about that tall, I knew I wanted to fly, and one day, I wanted to fly a Mustang.”
Ward, a member of Freedom Flyers in Burnet, a group that provides aviation learning opportunities to youth and veterans and offers medical flights, has been a pilot for many years. One of his dreams was to own a P-51 Mustang. Several years ago, he began an earnest search for one.
After a couple of tries, Ward recalled the day he stopped at one more hangar.
“They opened the hangar doors, and there was this Mustang with ‘Pecos Bill’ on it,” he said. “I knew I had to bring it back to Texas.”
He’s added a dash more of Texas to the plane with a burn-orange nose, but, basically, the Mustang looks much like it would have flying over the skies of Europe during World War II. This particular plane, however, probably never saw action during the war because it was built in 1945 and eventually became part of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
But that doesn’t change what it is.
“This is a living, breathing piece of history that you can see, hear and smell,” Ward said. “I love aviation. I’ve always loved flying. And this is the epitome of aviation: the P-51.”
Ward’s Mustang, which he houses at the Freedom Flyers hangar in Burnet, will be one of several World War II-era planes on display April 13 for the Bluebonnet Airshow at the Burnet Municipal Airport, located on U.S. 281, from noon to 4 p.m. Gates open at 10 a.m. for the event.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors 60 or older, $10 for military members with identification, $5 for students 6-17 years and free for youth 5 and younger.
Along with Ward’s Mustang, people can check out other aircraft, such as a B-17 Flying Fortress, a second P-51 Mustang, a T-6 Texan, a PT-26 Trainer and many more.
Of course, the Highland Lakes Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force, which hosts the aviation extravaganza, will show several of its planes, including “Bluebonnet Belle,” a C-47 Skytrain.
The show also includes modern aircraft, including a MiG-17 Russian jet, a Pitts Special and a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter. Several aerobatic flights will take place as well as a parachuting demonstration.
Ward’s P-51 has become somewhat of a Burnet icon. People hear about the plane and stop at the Freedom Flyers hangar just to see it. Even when he flies it to another town, airport or airfield, people take notice.
“If I fly in in this,” Ward said, pointing to the P-51, “people just show up with cameras. If I fly in in one of the other planes, like the Baron (55), nobody even notices.”
Along with the Mustang, Freedom Flyers has a Navy SNJ, which is a World War II trainer. The U.S. Army Air Corp called its version the AT-6.
“The SNJ or T-6 is an advanced trainer,” Ward said. “Before you could fly a Mustang, you first had to learn in one of these.”
After purchasing his Mustang, Ward soon found out the same held true today. Before jumping into his Mustang, his instructor first had him get some time in a AT-6 or the SNJ.
It was all worth it though.
“The P-51 is just an incredible plane to fly,” he said. “It flies wonderful, it’s so true.”
“Pecos Bill” has a role with Freedom Flyers, beyond turning heads. The Mustang is part of the organization’s veterans flights. Ward said Freedom Flyers flies World War II and other veterans in the Mustang or the SNJ at no cost, just for the experience.
“We also offer (flights) to charity organizations as a fundraiser,” Ward said. “They can auction the flight off, and it usually turns out to be a big item for them.”
Freedom Flyers also provides educational programs for youth, such as the Young Eagles, and other learning opportunities. The organization’s hangar includes classroom space where youth groups, such as Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts or others, can come and learn about the basics of aviation.
The group also offer humanitarian flights (not with the P-51) for people who need air transportation for medical needs.
The P-51, though, has a special place in the hangar and the hearts of those who see it.
“I can’t explain why we’re so drawn to (WWII) planes,” Ward said. “I know I am, and a lot of other people are. This plane, well, it’s just a meaningful piece of history to have in your hangar.”
For more information on the airshow, go to www.bluebonnetairshow.com. For more information on the Freedom Flyers, go to www.freedomflyers.org.
daniel@thepicayune.com