Looking Back and Paying it Forward
The Aircraft restoration project at Bowling Greens Aviation Heritage Park
Six years ago, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College’s (SKYCTC) President Dr. Phillip Neal and Collision Repair Professor Jon Hunt had a conversation about the type of restoration work that was being performed at Aviation Heritage Park (AHP) in Bowling Green and were looking for ways that the College could be involved.
The restoration team at AHP volunteered to restore historic aircraft to honor the aviators who flew missions to protect the citizens of our country. These aviators, many with ties to South Central Kentucky, deserve to be recognized and celebrated so that future generations might be made aware and motivated by their extraordinary achievements.
Tireless hours of work are expended to restore these historic planes to their original condition. The restoration team at AHP needed a painter. So, Hunt felt, with his expertise in painting automobiles, he could contribute his time to painting the restored planes to make them look as close to the original as possible.
“What began as a community service project for me six years ago has turned into a Labor of Love,” said Hunt. “Not only do I have the chance to look back at the accomplishments of the brave airmen who flew these planes, I feel this is my way to pay it forward, to honor these men and their aircraft. I am also thankful for the new friends I have made while working with the restoration team. Just listening to their experiences has been a history lesson for me and has heightened my respect for those who flew these aircraft to protect us and our way of life.”
Hunt has assisted in the painting of the following aircraft: F4 Phantom, UH-1 Huey Helicopter, Piper J-3C Cub, Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King, and just finished painting the Lockheed Shooting Star.
“The Lockheed Shooting Star was the last plane I assisted with during the summer of 2023,” Hunt said. “The work that is being done on these artifacts is quite amazing! All the work is done on a volunteer basis, and it is extremely hard work, which is a testament to the pride the volunteers have for these aircraft. Many of the volunteers are veterans that have had some sort of tie to one of these aircraft during their time in the service.”
Aviation Heritage Park is a must-see addition to the list of aviation museums. Rather than a graveyard of old airplanes, the artifacts on exhibit live to tell the stories of regional heroes. Visitors can experience aircraft telling the stories of Vietnam War aviators, a T-38 trainer flown by every Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronaut, and a Cub honoring an African American woman who trained the Tuskegee Airmen. Visitors are encouraged to see and touch the aircraft while allowing their imagination to soar. AHP is free and open to the public from 8 am until dusk every day.
On July 14, the AHP opened its new Aviation Heritage Park Museum. The mezzanine of the museum is home of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association (River Rats) Museum. They will have their portion of the museum filled with displays and artifacts memorializing the heroic fighter pilots.
“The Aviation Heritage Park is a true gem in the area,” said Hunt. “With the addition of the new museum, the Aviation Heritage Park will do amazing things in the future of tourism for Bowling Green, Ky.”
