Original Article and Photo: http://www.tauntongazette.com
Taunton — A new installation at the Taunton Municipal Airport depicts the history of aeronautics and of the King family, who helped propel flying based out of the Silver City.
Ted Porada, the ground services manager at the airport, put up historical pictures, newspaper clippings and model airplanes to inspire and enlighten visitors about flying and how it took off, starting with the Wright Brothers. The display, started and completed in the spring, begins in a trailer used to train aviators and overflows into an equipment storage building.
“Part of an idea of an airport is people don’t want to just look at your equipment, they want something to go from when they come in, to know what was here and how was it built,” said Porada, who has worked at the airport for four years. “It’s probably corny for some people. But I like history.”
One of the highlights of the display is framed photos and information about the King family who founded the airport in 1919. There are many photos of Ora and Everett King.
Robert Gilbert, a pilot who lives in Blackstone and frequents the Taunton airport for fuel as well maintenance, said he was amazed by the installation.
“I thought it was fascinating,” said Gilbert, who started flying in 1958. “I knew Ora and Everett. They were very well known in the area. She had a unique voice on the radio, you could always tell that it’s her. Ted must have had 100 pictures of them in there. The wall is literally covered with them.”
But there are also pictures of dozens of pilots who use the Taunton airport, on another wall in the equipment storage building. Gilbert said he and his wife really appreciated that.
“Ted said, ‘I got your picture up on the wall,’” Gilbert said. “I said, ‘We have to see it.’ I was surprised. It’s quite extensive.”
Porada said that any of the pilots there can pose with their planes and have their pictures taken and framed before being put up on the wall.
Porada said that he hopes that visitors enjoy the display during the cookouts and pig roasts held at the airport. More than 100 airplanes are based at the Taunton Municipal Airport.
Original Article and Photo: http://www.tauntongazette.com
No comments:
Post a Comment