Take a flight back in time in a DC-3 or B-25 Bomber
The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engine medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. Allied air forces flew it in every theater of World War II, and it was used by many other air forces after the war, seeing service across four decades.
Aviation enthusiasts who can make it to New Philadelphia in August will have the chance to ride in two planes from the “Golden Age of Aviation.” Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1077 will host a DC-3 and B-25 Bomber from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 25 and 26 at the EAA hangar at 1802 E. High Ave. in New Philadelphia. Admission to watch the living history flights take off and land is free, but rides cost between $75 and $495.
This is the third time the group has hosted the DC-3. The most recent visit of the Douglas Aircraft manufactured plane was in 2015 when 417 passengers took rides 10 at a time. The event was popular enough for the EAA to bring the plane back.
“That is one of the cornerstones of aviation in my opinion,” EAA President Dave Johnson said. “I would give that plane more credit for fathering the airline industry in this country than any other.”
The DC-3 seats 25 passengers, but insurance requirements limit the number per flight to 10. Many have been turned into cargo planes, but this model has never been changed from a passenger ship.
The plane was a common sight around the area in the 1950s when Lake Central Airlines provided regular passenger flights to Tuscarawas and surrounding counties.
Former Ohio Gov. James Rhodes used one for personal transportation that is now stored at Beach City Airport. The plane has appeared in films with John Travolta, Dakota Fanning and EAA member Harrison Ford.
The B-25 was used in the first American attack on Tokyo during World War II. This is the first time the Bomber has made the trip to New Philadelphia. This plane seats fewer than the DC-3.
“They weren’t made for passengers,” Johnson said. “They were made to deliver the goods.”
The group brings these planes here as part of their core mission to educate the public about aviation and as an opportunity to teach history.
“The day will come, and it won’t be long,” Johnson said, “when you’re not going to be able to see these aircraft fly anymore.”
People have come from all over Ohio and further to ride these planes, according to EAA membership chairman Terry Henry. He said some have come from Columbus, Cleveland, Steubenville, Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Ravenna and as far as Concord, North Carolina.
Johnson said Henry was integral in getting the planes to come to the area for this event. “Terry worked harder than anyone else in the chapter to get these guys up here,” he said. “He’s not going to pat himself on the back, but he’s gone through a lot of grief to get them here.”
EAA 1077 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization composed entirely of volunteers who donate their time to numerous causes in the area. The primary goal of the group is “to educate about aviation to both pilots and nonpilots.”
Johnson likes to reach out to those who would like to fly but don’t think they can. He said flying can be as expensive or cheap as an individual chooses to make it and pointed out that he spends less money on it than others spend on golf or restoring classic cars.
There also are those who feel they may not have the technical skills, but Johnson said they don’t need to worry. “If you can walk and chew gum, you can fly an airplane,” he said.
The New Philadelphia area chapter has about 135 members and is known for the twice-a-year pancake breakfast that serves as its chief fundraiser. However, the group does many other things for aviators in the community as well as providing the Wright Flight program for middle-schoolers and Young Eagles program for high-schoolers.
Over the past 15 years about 225 kids have participated in the Wright Flight after-school program that lets them build part of an airplane wing, learn about aviation and even fly a plane with a licensed EAA member.
“We take them out, and they get to fly an airplane for about a half an hour,” Henry said. “And that’s huge. That’s a life changer for these kids.”
EAA has awarded several scholarships to area students interested in aviation-related careers. The group also has hosted Boy Scouts at their hanger to help them earn aviation merit badges and members of the Civil Air Patrol for mock rescues.
Reservations are not required but are encouraged. Those who make a reservation will be given an approximate flight time when their ride will depart and will make the event easier to plan.
Seats aboard the DC-3 are $75 each. Seats on the B-25 range from $395-$495 each.
To reserve a seat on either aircraft, call 330-340-2999.
To learn more about EAA 1077, visit them online at www.1077.eaachapter.org/ or find them on Facebook.