A-26 aircraft strikes up memories, Sheppard history

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A piece of history made a stop at Sheppard April 27, drawing in crowd and for some stirring up memories from more than 60 years ago. The "Miss Million Airess" an A-26C was parked on a runway ramp to be viewed and toured by several students, veterans, pilots and other Sheppard members.

The aircraft is only one of five of its kind still in flying condition, and that type of aircraft has a very special connection to Sheppard. Thousands of Airmen were trained at Sheppard as engine mechanics for the A-26 in the mid-40s to early-60s.

Seeing the aircraft brought back many memories for Robert Norris, who was in the Army Air Corps and came through basic training at Sheppard in 1943 and served until 1946.

"We would never take much time overhauling the engines when we were in combat, most of the time we would replace the engine because there would be someone firing down at us from the air," he said. "This plane brings back a lot of memories for me. In the front and the back of the plane there would also be machine guns where men would lay down to man the guns. The bombs would be dropped from the bottom compartments."

Kevin Wininger, B-52 armament 3-level course instructor, said the students were seeing a piece of history that is much different than what they work with today.

"The whole aircraft, bomb bay, controls and cockpit are so different," he said. "This gives them a really good idea of how far the technology for aircraft has come."

Million Air Aviation is a company of aviators that fly aircraft around the country for all to see. Roger Woolsey, Million Air Aviation chief executive officer, said the aircraft has a rich history that is important to showcase.

"The A-26 is one of the aircraft that served America the longest and in several different wars, from World War II to Vietnam," Mr. Woolsey said. "It is also quite famous for being known as the opening aircraft for bombing at the Battle of the Bulge. We are able to honor our World War II veterans, Korean veterans and Vietnam veterans by bringing this piece to them.

Mr. Woolsey said it was important to make a stop at Sheppard because of the history with this particular aircraft and the students trained to work on it.

"There are a whole lot of aircraft mechanics that were trained at Sheppard and we really wanted to come by here for that reason," he said. "We are aware that there were aircraft, engine and Air frame mechanics in the 50s and so it was important for us to make this stop, and hopefully give people the chance to see the historical aircraft who haven't seen it in many years, or never before."