Pacific Prowler to stalk Jasper skies

Courtesy photo by Hugh Montgomery THE PACIFIC PROWLER has starred in many Hollywood movies. She will fly in to Bell Field April 5-6 for the Air Show.

A movie star is coming to Jasper April 5-6. She's appeared in more than 80 films, some recent and some dating to perhaps your grandparents' days. She's still as spry as when she appeared in For Whom the Bell Tolls more than 60 years ago.

The Pacific Prowler II will be one of many vintage military aircraft that fly in for the Jasper Air Show the first weekend in April. The show includes a static display of modern and vintage planes, and an afternoon air show that includes fly bys, parachute jumpers, and a remote control demonstration.

The original Pacific Prowler flew more than 120 missions over the Pacific during World War II, and then served n the new U.S. Air Force until 1958. In 1962 she was purchased by Tallmantz Aviation and appeared in more than 80 movies, including Flight of the Phoenix, Catch 22, Around the World in 80 days, and Memphis Belle.

Local organizations like the Jasper County Emergency Corps are lining up volunteers to help with parking and crowds at the show at Jasper County Bell Field Airport.

The event draws participants from all over. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days. The air show begins around noon on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Barksdale Air Force Base will make a fly by on Sunday.

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) based in Midland and the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston are sending planes made famous by World War II. In addition to the B-25 Prowler, there will be a Corsair, a Seafury, a Japanese Zero, Kate, T-6/SNJ, Bird Dog and Stearman.

Stunt flyer Debbie Rihn Harvey will put on an aerobatic display that has earned her one of the highest rankings in her field. She has won the Women's U.S. National Championship five years in a row.

The air show includes parachute jumpers and a radiocontrolled flight demonstration by the Texas Heat Wave flyers from Dallas and Jasper's Aero-modelers.

New this year will be "Plane Girls," models who fly and will sign autographs.

Organizer Debbie Foster says you don't have to keep your feet on the ground. Several of the vintage craft offer sorties rides for a fee, and the EAA Chapter from Leesville will offer free children's rides (ages 7-17).

Jasper native Brandi Dean, who now works for NASA Space Center in Houston, will host a display in Beckom Aviation Mechanic Shop south of the airport field.

For more information, contact Foster at 384-2626.