Wings of War

Plunging through the gray cloud cover, Clay Lacy eased his purple P-51 Mustang onto the tarmac and then taxied toward the collection of vintage aircraft parked near the south end of Camarillo Airport.

He killed the 1,650-horsepower engine, climbed out wearing a pair of black Ray Bans and began talking proudly about the airplane credited with helping the Allies soar to victory during World War II.

Lacy’s Mustang will be one of more than a dozen antique planes made famous in the skies over Europe and the Pacific on display Saturday and Sunday at the 17th annual Camarillo Air Show.

“After the war, General Eisenhower listed seven things that helped win the war,” the gray-haired Van Nuys resident said, caressing the metal belly of the muscular plane. “And the Mustang was one of them.”

Organized by the Experimental Aircraft Assn. with help from the Southern California Wing of the Confederate Air Force, the air show will feature more than 40 aircraft ranging from the 1930s-era spruce racing planes and 50-year-old fighters to state-of-the-art carbon fiber experimental planes built by association members.

Beginning with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., the air show will run until 5 p.m. each day and will include flying demonstrations, lectures on the historical evolution of aircraft, an airplane parts swap meet, seminars on how to build your own plane and a variety of events for children.

“Basically, we’re hoping to give people a better understanding of what flying is all about,” said air show Chairman Gary Stucker. “People who come here are going to learn a lot about flying and a lot about planes.”

In addition to the various single-engine fighters like the British Spitfire, the P-51 and the Sea Fury, two enormous Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transports will fly in, with one buzzing the crowd.

Veterans and members of the Confederate Air Force will also give tours of a restored C-46 Commando transport named “The China Doll,” made famous during World War II for “flying the Hump,” or zigzagging through the Himalayas, transporting much-needed materials from India to China.

For the past 35 years, the Confederate Air Force has been collecting and restoring World War II-era aircraft in an effort to memorialize a part of America’s aircraft history.

“The Confederate Air Force has been so important in bringing these planes back,” Lacy said. “So many of these planes were scrapped or destroyed after the war and it’s a shame there aren’t more left, but at least we’ve got a few.”

Of the more than 15,000 P-51s made during the war, about 200 exist, of which only about 100 still fly, Lacy said.

Members from the Experimental Aircraft Assn. will also exhibit some of their homemade flying creations, a few of which, like the 40-foot-long low-speed glider, look more like insects than aircraft.

“For me it’s like when I was a kid and would build models,” Stucker said of why he chose to build his own plane. “But this is more practical and it’s a lot of fun.”

Event organizers expect between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors. Admission will be $3 for adults and children under 12 will be admitted free.

“People are always telling me what a good time they’ve had,” Stucker said. “For $6, a family can come spend the day and get a real good look at some fine planes.”

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FYI

The 17th annual Camarillo Air Show will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Camarillo Airport on Pleasant Valley Road. Admission for adults is $3 and children under 12 are admitted free. For information, call 483-7575 or 482-0064.

’ After the war, General Eisenhower listed seven things that helped win the war. And the Mustang was one of them.’