“It Was No Big Deal”- Flying Tribute Lands in Missouri
BRANSON MO NEWS: View from the gunnery/nose during low level flight over Missouri – “It Was No Big Deal”- Flying Tribute Lands in MissouriST. LOUIS, MO/October 1, 2017 (STL.News) Last week a shiny B-25 Mitchell ascended to the ramp at Springfield-Branson National Airport. While no formal airshow was taking place, the aircraft had arrived as part of one of many 2017 tours sponsored by the Commemorative Air Force, whose purpose is to honor and give back to our nations World War II veterans while inspiring and educating the next generation. This particular plane, known as ‘Maid in the Shade’ is painted up to pay tribute to the hard-fought missions over Tokyo. The original airframe was built in 1944 while serving nearly a dozen missions over Italy. Thanks to the CAF Arizona Wing, the aircraft has been maintained in high restoration over the last several years and serves as one of many aircraft in the unit’s impressive collection.
B-25J ‘Maid In the Shade’ basks in the sunlight at Springfield-Branson National AirportThe first flight of each stop is known as an ‘Honor Flight’, where local WWII veterans are invited to board the aircraft for a ceremonial flight across the local airspace. Among the three Southern Missouri veterans being honored on a sunny Friday afternoon, was 104 year old Gene Engledow, a career pilot with over 77 years in the sky. Mr. Engledow had the distinctive duty of not only flying B-25’s in WWII, but helped modify the planes in preparation for the famous Doolittle Raid. When asked what transcended his career from his first flight in August of 1936, he merely noted that ‘He liked airplanes’- With a smirk and wink that could raise any crowd. Upon exiting the aircraft, Mr. Engledow cheerily asked if the engine needed spark plugs for future flights.
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