WWII-era aircrafts soar during convention

Several restored World War II commemorative aircrafts will be on display through Saturday at the Bardstown-Nelson County Airport.

JENNIFER CORBETT/The Kentucky Standard

World War II-era aircrafts, such as “Sofie’s Choice,” are on display at the airport through Saturday.

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JENNIFER CORBETT/The Kentucky Standard

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It’s a part of the American Navion Society National Convention, an annual event where pilots throughout the country gather to showcase their historic planes.

According to Mike Forsee, secretary/treasurer of Nelson County Navion Society, the 500-600 members of the American Navion Society take WWII aircrafts and commercialize them.

During the convention, various models of Navion planes will be on display at the Bardstown-Nelson County Airport. Judges will review each aircraft for upkeep and look for the best design.

The aircrafts also competed in a speed contest Tuesday morning.

Forsee noted that some airliners still have its original painting and have “neat little designs” on them to represent the era in United States’ military history.

In the past, up to 150 people have toured the aircrafts on display when the convention has been in other towns, Forsee said.

The week’s agenda for the Navion Society also include visiting Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve and Heaven Hill Distilleries, visiting the Bourbon Heritage Center, touring the Rickhouse, Kentucky Railway Museum, Old Bardstown Village, Civil War Museum and the Talbott Tavern.

“We’ve got a lot of things lined up,” Forsee said. “It’s a pretty active group.”

Jennifer Corbett can be reached at jcorbett@kystandard.com