NEW SMYRNA BEACH — Even after decades of doing restoration work on vintage aircraft, Gary Norville is amazed by the courage demonstrated by those who flew World War II military planes such as the B-24J Liberator, among the historic gems to be featured at an open-hangar event this weekend at New Smyrna Beach Airport.
“It was definitely the Greatest Generation,” said Norville, owner of American Aero Services, the aircraft restoration company hosting the event on Saturday and Sunday at its warehouse at 1501 Airway Circle on the southwest corner of the airport. “They stopped very evil people from taking over the world and, in doing so, they preserved our freedom.”
To accomplish that mission, 10-man B-24J crews donned leather helmets, uniforms and jackets equipped with sheep’s wool lining, scant protection against dangers that awaited above.
“Those cabins were unpressurized,” Norville said, standing beneath the olive-colored B-24J adorned with its name, "Witchcraft," in looping golden script. “If you lost electricity, frostbite would get you. If you lost your oxygen, hypoxia would kill you within 10 seconds.”
From November through February, the B-24J and another vintage military aircraft, the B-17G Flying Fortress, undergo annual restoration work at American Aero Services, where the big birds are sent by their caretakers at the Collings Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving aviation history.
During the New Smyrna Beach visit, the two airplanes become the centerpiece of this weekend’s event, a glimpse of history that is expected to attract more than two dozen more vintage planes piloted to the event by private collectors in Florida, Norville said.
“Last year, we had 20 planes that flew in,” Norville said. “In addition to the World War II aircraft, we have two very nice World War I planes that come in from Spruce Creek, a Sopwith Camel and a Fokker Triplane.”
Admission to the event is free, but guests are asked to bring a can of dog or cat food to donate to the Southeast Volusia Humane Society. Animals available for adoption also will be on hand, along with Humane Society representatives, Norville said.
The main attraction, however, will be the airplanes. In addition to looking at the private aircraft that arrive for the day, visitors also can peruse the ongoing restoration projects inside American Aero Services’ 250,000-square foot warehouse.
That includes a Scud Missile Launcher, famous for its use during the first Gulf War. Nearby, a torpedo bomber similar to the one that former President George H. W. Bush flew during World War II is emblazoned with a “41” to mark the presidential connection.
Because of its generally temperate climate, Florida is a hotbed for antique airplanes, said Norville, who employs 20 restoration technicians to keep up with the workload.
“Our main business is restoring vintage aircraft,” said Norville, who savors the chance to honor the history the airplanes represent. “We do these annual events, so people can come out and see what mom and dad, or grandmother and grandfather, did in World War II.”