Smokey the Bear

[Bruce Day]

For those who appreciate heritage and history.

I flew into a grass field in northern Arkansas not long ago where this old 1930’s Piper was parked. As you can see it has been lovingly restored, as well it should be. It is old , fabric covered wings and fuselage , no electrical system , no generator , you must hand prop it to start. But it is a special airplane.

It started life as the first aircraft owned by the New Mexico Fish and Game Commission and was being flown by a spotter pilot on the Capitan Mountain fire in southern New Mexico . While over a burnt out area the pilot noticed a hurt and alone bear cub. He landed , took it aboard and flew it out to a veterinarian. The cub was transferred to the National Zoo in Washington DC where it became known as Smokey the Bear.