Vintage post WWII-era "Swift" plane owners land in Cottage Grove
COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (KMTR) - Pilots from across the nation have landed in Cottage Grove this weekend to celebrate a particular vintage aircraft with military roots.
The Northwest "Swift" Airplane fly-in is happening at the Cottage Grove Airport this weekend of July 7th and 8th, 2012. More than a dozen Globe Aircraft Corp. made “Swift” plane owners are taking part.
The "Swift" was made in the 1940s’ from left over World War II fighter plane parts. Most of the planes have been restored and customized by their various owners with new modifications like landing gear doors, finer flight instruments, new plane propellers and more.
Donald Thompson from Salem is one of the airplane owners taking part. Thompson has owner his Swift for about 36 years. He likens flying the plane to driving a Corvette, calling it a sports car in the air.
"People want to see these airplanes? We're not afraid to show them off and talk about them," Thompson told NewsSource 16 on Saturday.
"(It’s) A lot of friendships, you work together. I need a part, I call somebody, I need advice, somebody has usually fixed that problem before - so they can give you advice on how to fix it so it's a close-knit community, we're all aviators and we just love these airplanes,” said Thompson.
The Swift planes will be on display through the weekend, continues at the Cottage Grove Airport from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 8th, 2012. The event is free. The airport is accessible from E. Palmer Road or Airport Road which are off of Row River Road, across from the Wal-Mart.
