Flying into the past in a restored warbird
Dave Shiffer, left, and Terry Senger served as pilot and co-pilot of the 74-year-old plane. Shiffer also serves as executive director of the Champaign Aviation Museum at Grimes Field in Urbana, Ohio, where the B-25 and other warbirds are housed.
Aviation enthusiasts who made it to New Philadelphia on Aug. 25 and 26 had the opportunity to ride in two planes from the “Golden Age of Aviation.” For some it was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1077 hosted the “Champaign Gal,” a twin-engine B-25 bomber, and the “Whiskey 7,” a C-47 that carried paratroopers to Normandy on D-Day.
Admission to watch the living history flights take off and land was free, but rides cost between $75 and $495.
Even with the steep price to ride, enthusiasts came from all over to experience the brief flights that took them about 2,000 feet above Tuscarawas County. More than 100 reservations were placed, according to EAA membership chairman Terry Henry.
“The reason we host our pancake breakfasts fly-ins and other fundraisers is so we can bring planes like these in for people to get a chance to see them up close,” Henry said.
Henry joined members of the media for a 35-minute flight on Friday afternoon under perfect weather conditions. “I’ve been a pilot for 50 years,” Henry said. “What makes me emotional about flights like this is thinking about the 18- to 20-year-olds who sat in these seats years before us as they experienced war far away from home.”
Lt. Col. Robert McCluggage was one such young man. Today at 93, the retired Air Force veteran was on hand to see the "Champaign Gal" up close but unfortunately was not able to take a flight.
A native of Salem, McCluggage, who now resides in a nursing home in Canton, piloted planes in the Pacific Theater during WWII when he was just 19. After the war he was a highway patrolman in Steubenville. He returned to the service to fly 33 missions during the Korean conflict. He flew B-25s to Guam during the Vietnam War.
After his 28-year military career, McCluggage attended college and became a teacher. He worked at West Branch High School near Sebring for 16 years.
McCluggage was asked if he believed the restored "Champaign Gal" was airworthy. “Heck yeah. It’s got two engines,” he said. “They both won’t quit at once.”
Unlike more modern engines, the radial engines that power the B-25 pop and smoke, which is normal, according to Dave Shiffer, who along with Terry Senger served as pilot and co-pilot of the 74-year-old aircraft. Shiffer also serves as executive director of the Champaign Aviation Museum at Grimes Field in Urbana, Ohio, where the B-25 and other warbirds are housed.
“It never gets old,” Shiffer said. “Every time we take her up it is special.”
With limited seating, passengers aboard the "Champaign Gal" could remove their seatbelts once they reached cruising altitude. In order to reach the nose or the tail of the plane, passengers had to crawl. The panoramic views of the Tuscarawas Valley made it worthwhile.
For one passenger it was her first time flying in an airplane of any kind.
In an effort to continue the unique programming open to the public, the local EAA chapter will hold a pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 at Harry Clever Airport, 1802 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia.
The breakfast will include pancakes, fresh eggs, sausage, juice and coffee. All are welcome.
To learn more about EAA 1077, visit them online at www.1077.eaachapter.org/ or find them on Facebook.