The WWII Airborne Demonstration Team, a group of volunteer professional parachutists dedicated to recognizing and honoring World War II veterans, recently selected Bartlesville Airport to house one of the team’s most prized possessions — a 1941 Douglas DC-3, a propeller-driven aircraft used in the airline industry in the 1930s and in WWII in the 1940s.
The team brought the aircraft to Bartlesville last Thursday afternoon, on Veterans Day, and volunteered to fly over the American Legion’s Veterans Day Parade on Saturday morning. The move “added a special highlight to honor all services members,” City of Bartlesville Airport Director Mike Richardson said this week.
“We couldn’t be more excited that the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team has selected Bartlesville Airport to house this historic aircraft,” Richardson said, noting the airplane was previously housed at a former U.S. Army Air Base in Frederick, Okla., where another of the team’s aircraft will remain. “They previously had two aircraft at the Frederick location, including the DC-3, but were looking to relocate one just in case something happened to the facility that could result in damage to one of the aircraft. They were particularly interested in staying in close proximity to Tulsa, so we invited them to come to Bartlesville. They liked what they saw and moved the DC-3 into Hangar 8 last week.”
Based in Frederick, the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team performs air shows and educates the public about the role of WWII aircraft and paratroops in addition to operating a Parachute School, a nine-day course held three times annually. According to the team’s website, enrollment in the basic course is full until 2024.
“There is a lot of passion to preserve a living history with this organization,” Richardson said. “The service they bring to World War II veterans through their demonstrations, air shows and other activities is really remarkable. We’re honored to have them in Bartlesville.”
The City Council approved a lease agreement for Hangar 8 last month. The agreement is a win-win for the team and the City alike, Richardson said.
“This is a great fit for the group and for us,” he said. “Having the DC-3 here is not only exciting for local aviation fans, serious and not-so-serious alike, it’s also good for the City of Bartlesville in terms of the hangar lease revenue, aviation exposure and fuel sales. The DC-3 holds approximately 800 gallons (100LL) Avgas total, in four separate tanks. That alone is a boon for Bartlesville.”
Richardson said area residents are bound to see the DC-3 on a somewhat regular basis, as the group plans to fly the plane approximately once a month.
“We look forward to seeing this WWII era aircraft flying in and out of our local airport,” he said. “It really is a cool piece of history. Even 80 years later, people are still getting the chance to experience what it was like to parachute from a DC-3 static line the way many of our veterans did. What an adventurous way to honor our vets.”