Eager pilots gathered in the hangar of Perrin-Field to be briefed before they headed to their planes for the Texoma Air Race.
Planes of all shapes and sizes took to the skies for the race. And Texomans of all ages gathered on the tarmac to watch them take off, while also learning a little U.S. history.
Mechanic Dennis Meyers says he’s excited to see the planes in action.
“They’re flying pieces of history. I mean, the one behind you is from 1945, this one’s from 1942. And that one’s from 1943. It’s nice seeing all of them flying,” Meyers said.
The “War Birds”, World War II fighter planes, made a special trip to Perrin-Field to commemorate Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 125th birthday. The Texoma Air Race wasn’t just for the spectators and the racers.
Pilots from all over North Texas came out to admire the planes as well. Commemorative Air Force pilot John Willis says he came from Lancaster with one of his students to explore the variety of air crafts.
“The war birds are all very exciting, a nice selection of aircraft here. And the racing aircraft here are pretty exciting,” Willis said.
Willis’s student also joined him for the trip from Lancaster to Denison, expressing a similar excitement for the day’s festivities.
“The races over there, and the many different people from aviation,” Li Lei said.
For a small price Texomans got to board the war birds and take flight.
http://www.kten.com/story/30232681/texoma-air-race-flies-into-north-texas-regional-airport