#TBT: Central Texas home to rare World War II P-39 Airacobra rescued from a schoolyard
"It's a quirky little plane. The engine is behind the pilot. You might can see the exhaust sticking out there," said chief mechanic Ray Clausen.
The Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter plane's design was unique but essential during World War II.
The warplane was produced by Bell Aircraft in 1940 for the United States Army Air Forces. It was equipped by the military to kill.
"On the nose, they put a 37-millimeter automatic cannon and two .50 caliber machine guns on the top," said Clausen. "And then there were two .30 calibers in each wing."
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The low-altitude fighter was actually hated by most pilots, but the P-39 plane did have some important moments in the Pacific Theater.
After World War II, the government ordered the warbird to be destroyed.
"The aircraft were pretty much taken down to California and Arizona to be melted down," said Clausen.
Expect for at least one, that ended up in the most unusual spot. A pilot landed at a crop-dusting strip in New Mexico, where the aircraft was abandoned.
"It was towed over into a schoolyard in Hobbs, New Mexico. It was put on jacks to basically stabilize it. And the kids in the schoolyard played on it for years," said Clausen.
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A Commemorative Air Force volunteer saw it years later and bought it from the school principal. It was taken to Texas for restoration.
"It's a unique plane to have anywhere," said Clausen. "There are only three of them flying in the world."
In 1974, the P-39 lovely called 'Miss Connie,' was moved to the Commemorative Air Force's CENTEX Wing hanger at the San Marcos Regional Airport.
As part of the Commemorative Air Force mission, 'Miss Connie' is preserved and maintained by volunteers and the plane takes flight whenever possible.
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"We fly ours as much as possible. We take it to air shows and let people see it," said Clausen.
IF YOU GO:
- Austin Warbird Expo
- Friday, July 1 - Monday, July 4
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport's Signature Flight Support (4321 Emma Browning Ave, Austin, TX 78719)
- TOUR ADMISSION $15 / adults and teens, $5 for children under 12, and $25 for a family up to 5 member
IF YOU GO:
- Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force Hanger
- San Marcos Regional Airport
- 1841 Airport Dr. Building. 2249 San Marcos, TX 78666
- Phone: 512-396-1943
- Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
- No admission but recommended $10 donation to keep their planes flying
EDITOR NOTE: #TBT or Turning Back Time is a series of stories by CBS Austin This Morning Anchor John-Carlos Estrada. The series will focus on history around Central Texas that has an impact on the community. If you want to share a story idea with him – email him (jcestrada@cbsaustin.com) or message him on social media via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.