Spanish Fork Airport visitors were treated to plane and car displays, air stunts and pyrotechnics on Saturday, Sept. 28 as part of Spanish Fork’s Wings and Wheels event.
The event showcased vehicles from the past 100 years, including planes such as the P-51 Mormon Mustang and the B-25 Mitchell Maid in the Shade from World War II.
“We flew in What’s Up Doc, a C-47 or ‘Gooney Bird,’ out of Palm Springs, in Southern California,” logistics coordinator for the Palm Springs Air Museum, Gretchen Gutierrez, said.
Gutierrez, two pilots and a volunteer flew What’s Up Doc out to Spanish Fork Airport to participate. The flight takes around three hours and can be rough for passengers, Gutierrez said.
“It’s a little rough sometimes but it’s always a thrill to ride it and we love showing it to people,” she said.
The Palm Springs Air Museum displays aircrafts such as What’s Up Doc at different events throughout the year. This particular plane dates back to World War II and was a restoration piece. It averages between seven and 10 airshow appearances annually.
“This is our first time here at Spanish Fork. We’ve never been here before and we’re having a great time. Loving the airport, love the people, we’re having a great time,” Gutierrez said.
In addition to ground displays, Wings and Wheels featured aerial performances from Red Thunder, Undaunted, Free Man and more.
Visitors also wandered around and through a sizable car show area featuring restored classics, supercars and unique one-offs.
Palm Springs Air Museum will fly What’s Up Doc for as long as they can maintain it, Gutierrez said.
“If we put something in the air, we intend to maintain it,” she said. “We are preserving history and we are a living museum.”