Yesterday, Oct. 23, P-51D "Galveston Gal", operated by the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston, went down in shallow water just west of its home base. The two gentlemen aboard did not survive the crash.
Those of you who follow me know that this airplane and the folks who fly and maintain it are very close to me. I knew the pilot, a very experienced military and civilian pilot who had been flying the Museum's warbirds for many years. The passenger was a British citizen who was in the States on vacation. His wife had purchased the ride for him for their 41st wedding anniversary.
I was in Galveston yesterday, at the museum preparing for this weekend's Wings Over Houston airshow. The things I saw, heard, and felt will be with me for the rest of my life - much as I wish they weren't.
Galveston Gal had recently been fully restored, and was meticulously maintained. I know this for a fact. I still have dirty rags in my truck, used last weekend at the Alliance airshow to clean 'Gal' for her performance there. I remember how proud I felt watching her taxi out yesterday, still 'spotless' from my hours of cleaning her skin.
Godspeed, Keith ...
Rest In Peace, John ...
Gal, we're going to miss you ...
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