WWII plane severely damaged at airport
Pictured is the aircraft prior to the storm. (Submitted photo)
Frank Weeks (right), of Prairie du Chien, surveys the damage done to his prize possession, a WWII defender, when three hangars at the Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport were pummeled in last week’s chaos. Weeks has owned the aircraft for over 50 years.
A 1942 Aeronca Defender aircraft was severely damaged in the straight line winds that destroyed three Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport hangars.
During World War II, there were no helicopters. Civilian aircraft were modified for military use. The L3 can take off and land in about 500 feet and were used for many purposes but primarily for artillery spotting.
The N48014 was purchased by Jim La Bonne, Earl Nicholson and Frank Weeks in the early 1960s for $750. All three took lessons, and their first solo flight in this aircraft locally was called the Chickenhawk.
It was vandalized and sold to a mechanic who repaired it. When fixed, it was purchased by Frank Weeks.
Ed Goree of Prairie took an interest to return it to the same as it was when it entered service. Ed had been a B24 pilot who flew 35 missions bombing Germany. It has been based in Prairie all these years, being annually inspected and used to give many rides.
A Roy George friend, a retired general, had flown one in the war and made a trip to Prairie to fly it. Mayor Jim Bittner rode in it many times and carried a photo to show people that Prairie du chien had its own air force.
While severely damaged, the Weeks family will see if possible to have repaired.
