BRUNSWICK

A World War II-era B-25 Mitchell bomber took to the skies over

Brunswick on Friday — a legendary aircraft with a local VIP on board. Korean War veteran, Brunswick resident and commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15, George McConnon looked up at the gleaming exterior of the aircraft announcing, “If I died today, I’d go a happy man.”

The bomber Panchito, piloted by Larry Kelley, flew in to Brunswick Executive Airport on Friday morning from Georgetown, Delaware. Bristling with .50 caliber machine guns from nose to tail, the B-25 is best known for its daring aircraft carrier takeoffs in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Japan in 1942.

The Panchito tours the country, performing in air shows as part of the DAV Flight Team and has performed at the Super Bowl, Indy 500, the Preakness and several Arlington burials. The DAV Flight Team is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping disabled veterans.

Panchito hadn’t always had a glamorous life, however. She had been built as a trainer for young airmen, a forest fire plane and an insecticide spreader. Overall, Panchito may have swatted more bugs from the sky than Mitsubishi Zeros, but when Kelley found it rotting at a museum in 1997 he was determined to make it shine once more.

Since Panchito’s restoration, Kelley has logged more than 4,600 flight hours and more than 400 events.

McConnon, 87, came to the tarmac with his new best friend for the day, Kerry Ward, who does marketing and public relations for the DAV Flight Team.

McConnon was drafted into the Army in 1951 and assigned to a tank in Korea where he ate, slept and tended to all bodily functions in the small confines of the vehicle with a crew of five. Serving on the North and South Korea line, McConnon said just sticking your head out of the turret was a life threatening matter.

McConnon approached the aircraft wearing a Korean War veteran cap. McConnon said, “I wear the hat for more than just to show where I fought. I wear it to honor all those who we lost and to hopefully spark a conversation with some folks who need assistance or know someone who needs help.”

“Icebreakers help me determine what is really going on with these folks, especially younger military members and veterans. You get to chatting with someone only to find out they are going through the same ordeal that you did,” McConnon said.

“It is always nice to know you aren’t alone and you have someone to walk with you as you face these difficult times,” McConnon continued. “It is often a challenge with the younger folks as they always want to think they can shake it off, but you can’t just shake off disabilities like PTSD. You need to face them head on. You need help. That is what DAV is here for.”

McConnon sat up in the front of the B-25 as the aircraft sputtered to life with a plume of exhaust. Pistons popped and the engines whined as the fuselage started to shudder as Kelley pushed on the throttle and the bomber began to roll toward the runway.

After a surprisingly short roll down the runway, Panchito was airborne. At a cruising speed of about 230 mph, the noise levels in the aircraft made verbal communication almost impossible. The sound was akin to being in a metal trash can with about 10,000 marbles and rolling down a hill.

Despite the noise, the vintage bomber flew smoothly, gliding low over fields, forest and water. An open window on the rear, side of the aircraft allowed not only breathtaking views but a constant gush of fresh air that blew around the fuselage.

There were turrets to explore and .50 caliber machine guns just behind the wings that were almost too tempting not to play with. Despite the age and upgrades to be more accepting of passengers, this was still a military aircraft — utilitarian, bare bones and singular in the purpose of war.

Kelley shifted the nose down and dove for the deck before gently easing back up for a flawless landing.

McConnon exited the aircraft lighter, younger and standing a bit taller for having just spent about 20 minutes in such cramped quarters. He bade the other passengers farewell as they were taken back to the terminal via golf cart.

McConnon himself stayed behind just a bit with the pilot and flight crew. That said, it was most likely the company of Ward that caused him to linger.

Their mission

THE PANCHITO tours the country, performing in air shows as part of the DAV Flight Team and has performed at the Super Bowl, Indy 500, the Preakness and several Arlington burials. The DAV Flight Team is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping disabled veterans.