On the west side of California’s Van Nuys Airport, it’s like World War II never ended.
Vintage propeller planes once flown by U.S. Navy, Army Air Forces and Royal Air Force pilots are parked wingtip to wingtip along the taxiway. Nearby buildings are painted in camouflage. The sound of swing music sometimes drifts across the tarmac, and olive drab flight jackets are de rigueur.
The planes and buildings belong to Condor Squadron, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring America’s veterans and the public display of the North American AT-6/SNJ Texan — a sturdy two-seater that helped train tens of thousands of military pilots during World War II and the Korean War.
For the complete story by Dan Weikel of the Los Angeles Times, click here.
Photo by Condor Squadron
