Thu, Jul 01, 2010
ANN E-I-C Note: Get READY For
Oshkosh 2010... because if events like this are any indication
(from LAST YEAR's Oshkosh), then we're in for a heck of a good
time. As we count down to Oshkosh 2010, we're going to sprinkle our
coverage with some of the best of 2009 so that we can
REALLY whet your appetite for this year.. WE CAN'T
WAIT!
Rarely do a group of Warbird restoration enthusiasts get a
chance to honor the brave sacrifice of the veteran pilots for which
their planes represent; yet, that is precisely the extraordinary
opportunity that became a reality for Bob Baker and his
hard-working crew when they brought two legendary WWII pilots, the
Pattillo brothers, to Oshkosh 2009.
Major General Cuthbert “Bill” Pattillo, and his twin
brother, Lieutenant General Charles “Buck” Pattillo
both flew in the 352nd Fighter Group. Born on June 3, 1924,
the inseparable brothers enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in
November of 1942, eventually joining the renowned “Bluenosed
Bastards of Bodney.”
Lt. Gen. “Buck” Pattillo flew 37 combat missions in
his P-51D Mustang, the “Little Rebel,” while his
brother, “Bill” Pattillo, completed 35 combat missions
in his “Sweet and Lovely” P-51D Mustang.
Baker completed “Sweet and Lovely’s”
restoration two years ago. This year, however, was the first
time that the brothers were able to see both planes restored since
flying the P-51s over 65 years ago.
For “Buck” Pattillo, it was a moving reunion; the
last time he saw “Little Rebel” was in 1945 while
stationed in England.
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