Posted on 05/06/2013 6:43:28 PM PDT by cripplecreek
JACKSON, MI – It dangled from a crane a few feet off the ground before slowly being transported across the parking lot of the Jackson County Airport.
For added safety, a group of five men held onto it as it made its way from a hangar, through a small gate and across the parking lot before stopping in front of the terminal.
The newest addition to the county airport is a scale model replica of a German Fokker fighter plane; the same plane flown in World War I by the Red Baron.
The aircraft is now on display in front of the terminal and can withstand the weather for the next 50 years.
“It’s a piece of art,” Jackson County Airport Manager Kent Maurer said.
Bob LaZebnik, a well-known resident of Jackson who has a history of contributing to the airport and the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, envisions the replica plane attracting visitors who would then visit the airport restaurant for a meal.
LaZebnik donated the replica plane and covered all costs associated with the design, construction and mounting.
“I get a good feeling when I see concepts rolling into fruition,” LaZebnik said as the plane was hoisted onto a mount.
He is also hoping the plane will attract visitors to Aviation Heritage Park near the front entrance of the airport.
“It’ll be exciting if this vision becomes a reality of acceptance,” he said.
The aluminum replica was not constructed from a model kit; it was handcrafted using a blueprint, Maurer said.
(Excerpt) Read more at mlive.com ...
My uncle flew B-17s over the Reich, and he saw lots of Fokkers. But they were flying Messerschmits.
My great grandfather probably saw some Fokkers from the ground in WWI.
Earlier in the war, some Axis pilots came to grief when the tangled with Fokker fighters such as this G1, operated by the Dutch air force.
Nobody is getting it:)
Some of the Old Fokkers are a little slow.
And we don’t see well anymore!
There were lots of little fokkers running around the Ardennes in the Battle Bulge and my grandfather was just one the GIs whom had to kill one when he was a POW. he has since passed away, but he hated those Fokkers.
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