Patty Ann II unveiled
In the words of Kathleen Thornell Bowlings:
My conversation with Gary began on 11/10/2019 with “Hi my name is Gary Peters and I live in Lewiston Idaho. I am part of a small flying aircraft museum…” From there he went on to tell me what the mission of hangar 180 was. A new P 51D had just been acquired from Patty Petrick, and they had researched to find out who this plane could represent.
My father flew a P-51B during WWII, for 6 months. However he had an amazed 17.5 kills and Gary thought he was worthy of the honor of having his plane, the Patty Ann II, be recognized.
Throughout the months that followed we communicated on a regular basis as we got to know one another and the idea of his plane taking to the air once again became a reality. Through the wonders of facebook, I was able to receive regular updates on the progress of the airplane. I heard the roar of the Merlin engine spring to life. I saw the attention to detail as the kill emblems were applied and saw his name for the first time under the pilots canopy.
It was at this time that I realized that my dad was not just my dad, but a part of American history. Because of Gary’s interest in my dad, my own was tapped. Growing up with him, he was quiet about how the war impacted him. I then joined many of the P-51 websites to get a better perspective of the man I called my dad and who others called “Smiling Jack”. Thanks to Gary and Hangar180, I was determined to make the trip to Lewiston to see the plane fly.
We arrived in Lewiston on June 26, 2020 for the July 4th festivities and the unveiling of the plane. My husband was with me. After getting the tour of Hillcrest Aviation, and visiting with Bryce for some picture taking, we headed to the hangar. The doors were down and patriotic music was playing. I kept thinking I had driven so far to see this and how much longer do I have to wait?! Then I heard the sound of the engine and the door slowly rose up to reveal the Patty Ann II as she was taxiing on the apron. Ray Fowler was at the controls. My heart literally burst at that moment and had Gary not been holding on to me, I would have crumples. I was in tears as the thought of me being transported back in time when Jack Thornell flew that plane. It was so emotional. Even today, it fills me with emotion and tears.
I have framed the newspaper article with the plane and Gary and I. I look at it everyday and I am so thankful, a man with a vision and a mission reached out to me and gave me another opportunity to know my father, but in a different way.