Airbase Georgia’s restored T-34 Mentor will fly to Americus on Saturday, Nov. 7, in support of World Wars Weekend at Andersonville National Historic Site.
The T-34 is scheduled to be on display at Jimmy Carter Regional Airport, historically known as Souther Field, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The aircraft also will be available for living history flight experiences. The public is invited to visit the airport and see the aircraft. To book a flight, visit airbasegeorgia.org/event/americus-rides-day. Flight operations are subject to weather and operational conditions.
Airbase Georgia is a founding partner of the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail. Andersonville’s free World Wars Weekend program begins at 10 a.m. and features living historians and activities exploring the experiences of prisoners of war during World War I and World War II.
The Americus airport has a distinguished history as a military pilot training site. Established as Souther Field in 1918, it served as a U.S. Army primary flight training facility during World War I and returned to service during World War II, training U.S. Army Air Forces and British cadets. Wartime aircraft used at the field included Boeing Stearman PT-17s and Fairchild PT-19 Cornell trainers. Souther Field also was where Charles Lindbergh made his first solo flight in 1923 after purchasing a surplus Curtiss JN-4 Jenny there.
“The historic connection is inspiring,” said Mark Richards, Airbase Georgia leader. “We hope seeing the T-34 will spark curiosity about the people and aircraft that shaped aviation history here in Georgia.”
Airbase Georgia recently completed the restoration of a 1941 Boeing N2S Stearman. The six-year project reflects the organization’s work to preserve historic aircraft and the stories of those who built, maintained and flew them. Airbase Georgia also previously restored a PT-19 Cornell used to train Tuskegee Airmen.