Pirates of the Mississippi: The Stearman

Julie and Peggy have the Mississippi River in common, BUT that's not what brought them together!!! Peggy and her husband, Charles, bought their 1940 Boeing PT17 Stearman in 2007. Our very first fly-in was in Cleveland, MS. Julie and her husband, Howard, and their 2 sons attended this event in their Maule airplane, which we will actually fly during the race. Little did we know our friendship had only just begun AND that we had 'great taste' in airplanes! Julie and Howard had looked at OUR Stearman while shopping for a bi-plane of their own unbeknownst to us! Not only that, but had been looking at most every bi-plane WE had gone to see before purchasing this one!! Too funny (and strange)!!! We became fast friends to say the least.!!! Each couple tries to attend several fly-ins each year that are Stearman oriented. One of these is the National Stearman Fly-In held in Galesburg, IL. The above photo was taken last year (2010) at their 39th event! Peggy and Charles' plane is in the foreground with Julie and Howard's in the background. http://www.stearmanflyin.com/

We'd like to thank Diane Stickle for the patches for our shirts!! Thank's for 'digging them out' of your many boxes in storage!! http://www.stearman.net/

Sadly to say we've lost a very good friend in our Stearman family this past May. Don Buck was always eager to help anyone! He was so warm in making sure you knew who he knew and what he knew about the Stearman! He and his wife, Ruth, 'gathered' Charles and me up the very first time we met them(first fly-in at Cleveland, MS), just like a mother hen!! Don attended every event in Galesburg, IL and had the same #3 spot on the front row each year. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Julie and I will be racing in his memory. Ruth will be cheering us on to victory!