As most readers will know, the Warbirds of Glory Museum is in the process of restoring B-25J Mitchell 44-30733, lovingly referred to as the Sandbar Mitchell due to the airframe having spent many years marooned on a spit of sand in an Alaskan river. Given the organization’s ability to achieve magnificent progress on a shoestring budget, they have become, in many ways, the ‘Little Engine That Could’ of vintage aviation museums.
Perhaps more importantly, the museum’s founders, Patrick Mihalek and Todd Trainor, have made a point of drawing young blood into their efforts, training a substantial number of teenaged volunteers in the rare art of warbird maintenance and restoration. Indeed, they have provided a whole new generation of kids with these skills, fostering far greater appreciation for vintage military aircraft and their associated history. These young people have gained the necessary skills, both modern and ancient, to return ‘tired iron’ back to its former glory.
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While work on Sandbar Mitchell continues unabated, the workshop’s apprentices are always on the prowl for new projects to help sharpen their restoration skills. An opportunity presented itself recently when the legendary Pat Epps, founder of Epps Aviation and salvor of the P-38F known as Glacier Gal, donated his Link Trainer to the museum. Epps acquired this someone dilapidated piece of WWII aviation history a few years ago, complete with its table and plotter, but never found time to commence its restoration. Following an encounter with Mihalek at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022, Epps became interested in his efforts to restore the B-25, a type which he flew while training with the U.S. Air Force during the late 1950s. This connection, along with the Warbirds of Glory Museum’s strong educational mission, drove Epps’ decision to gift them his Link Trainer project.
Commenting on this latest gift, Pat Mihalek noted: “We are very grateful to Mr. Epps for this donation. This link trainer will replace the one we once had, but unfortunately had to sell to pay for upcoming bills. Our students are excited to start working on it, and can’t wait to drive to Atlanta to pick it up.”
The Warbirds of Glory Museum now needs to raise $1,000 to help offset the costs of transportation, gas, and lodging for the Link Trainer retrieval trip from Michigan to Atlanta and back. To support this worthy mission, please consider making a donation HERE.
