Historic aircraft visits Sioux City to honor General Bud Day

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — On Wednesday morning, the Sioux Gateway Airport welcomed a historic aircraft to honor Sioux City native and war general Bud Day.

The Commemorative Air Force brought the “Gunfighter” to the General Bud Day Airfield. The World War II fighter plane was built in the spring of 1945 and is one of the world’s most famous P-51 mustangs.

Some people had the chance to ride in the world-renowned aircraft and experience what it was like for World War II fighter pilots.

“To see an airplane that is still operating, to hear it operate, and to kind of pass along some of the lessons that we learned from veterans we talked to and got their stories from, I just think it’s important because it brings a whole other dimension to understanding what those people did during those days,” said Peter Scholl, Commemorative Air Force P-51 Gunfighter pilot.

“For me, it’s just a way to taste history, if you will,” Vietnam veteran and Day’s friend Brendan Burchard. “I’ve grown up my whole life, obviously very engaged with flying and the Air Force and all of that, but never would I have dreamed of getting to ride in a P-51 Mustang.”

There are currently less than 150 P-51 aircrafts in the world in flying condition.

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