The legendary P-38 aircraft found its way to Santa Rosa's blue skies Saturday for the second time since World War II.
"We didn't realize how many families had members who flew the P-38," said Dave Pinsky, executive director of the Pacific Coast Air Museum. "It means a lot to families to see the planes their grandfathers had flown."
About 20,000 visitors are expected this weekend for the "Wings Over Wine Country" air show, which continues today from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport.
The museum's aviation extravaganza features antique aircraft, old warbirds and modern-day planes on land and in the sky.
One of the show's highlights includes a Legacy Flight, involving a World War II aircraft and a current military plane flying together to close the day's events.
"Our mission is to provide educational opportunities for school children and adults because aviation has meant a great deal to our country," Pinsky said.
Sharon Simons of Santa Rosa and her 4-year-old nephew toured a rescue aircraft used by the United States Coast Guard.
Seeing the insides of the vintage plane gave her an appreciation and understanding of what Coast Guard personnel do, she said.
Her nephew, Ray McDonald Jr., summed it up in four simple words.
"It was pretty cool," he said.
You can reach Staff Writer Tracie Morales at 521-5274 or tracie.morales
@pressdemocrat.com.
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