Tom Smith flew into Bainbridge Friday morning in his 1942 Vultee BT-15(Basic Trainer-15), returning the aircraft back to where it began it's journey 67 years ago.
In 1942, the United States Army constructed a Basic Training Air Field in Bainbridge that is now the site of the Bainbridge Municipal Airport. Flight training began in August of that year with the BT-13. Because of a shortage of Pratt and Whitney engines, Vultee used the BT-13 frames and equipped them with Wright engines crating the BT-15.BT-15 arrives and Tom Smith talks about the plane and its history.
Smith's BT-15, according to documentation, arrived in Bainbridge in August of 1942 and was used for training until the air field closed in 1945. In June of 1946 it was sold to a company in Arkansas and has changed owners several times until Smith happened upon it in July 2009.
Smith, a self proclaimed flying enthusiasts stated that he loves all things that fly from remote planes to watching a space shuttle take off. He stated that he had been in the market for a BT-13, found one but it was sold before he was able to purchase it. Disappointed but still determined, he found the BT-15 and said it was the best thing that could of happened to him. The 2-seat cockpit remains as it was but the exterior has been painted. Smith stated that he is hoping to one day find a photography of his plane with the serial number 42-1779 on it.
By 1 September, 1942, the complement of aircraft had risen to 132 BT-13s and 14 BT-15s.
Smith is also interested in connecting with those that may have been stationed at the Bainbridge Air Field during those years. He has several booklets that were published during that time with photographs of the air field and surrounding area. Smith is asking that anyone with information and/or photographs that they would like to share to contact him at 941-924-7662 or email eoselon@comcast.net
