An aviation family

Aviation is a total family activity for the Baker family of O'Fallon, Mo. 

Michael Baker was only 12 and his brother, Danny, only seven when the family built its first scale replica of the famous World War II P-51 fighter plane in 1991. 

Then, four years later, Michael and Danny, along with younger brother David and sister Heather helped build a bigger model. Father Jim said, "We sort of outgrew the first one." 

Danny, now 16, said, "We started construction in the backyard and then completed it in the front yard." 

The family built a special trailer for transporting the model for display in parades and air shows around the country. Mother Gail, said, "We're known in the subdivision as the house with the plane in the driveway." 

Michael is now 21 and he owns a single-engine Cessna 140 plane with his grandfather, Tom Baker. They keep the plane at a private airstrip in rural St. Charles County. His uncle, Dennis Baker, has built a new home next to the strip. 

All the homes next to the 3,000-foot lighted airstrip are owned by families who either own planes or are connected with aviation. The strip is called Woodliff Air Park and is located off I-70 between Wentzville and Foristell. 

Last year, Heather, now 11, won first place in a 4th grade science competition for her model of an airport weather station. It was complete with a wind sock, temperature gauge and a gadget to measure wind direction. 

Heather said, "When we display our plane, I teach kids how to make parts of the weather station." She said her favorite thing at air shows is to "hear what kids say about our plane." 

The family travels far and wide to show their P-51 model at parades and air shows. For out-of-state trips, they plan the trips around the kids' school schedules. 

For instance, they will go to Tennessee in November for a big "Celebrate Freedom" event at Pigeon Forge, Tenn. That's near where singer Dolly Parton has her "Dollywood" theme park. 

In October, the family will display their model at the Columbus Day fly-in at Creve Coeur Airport Oct. 7-9. (See a sidebar story on the fly-in at the end of this story.) 

Concerning the Tennessee trip, Gail said, "We can go because the kids will be off for the statewide teachers meeting in Missouri." 

Their P-51 model doesn't fly. But, it looks like it could. There is a two-seat cockpit with a canopy. The wing flaps and tail rudder move. At air shows, kids can get into the seats and work the controls and instruments. 

Before the model could be displayed, there was a lot of hard work to be done. Everyone in the family helped with the construction. 

Except for the frame and some specialized parts, the model is homemade, "using materials you can get at any hardware store," said Jim. 

First, they designed the plane from pictures and plans of actual P-51 fighters. The body frame is from a plane heavily damaged at Creve Coeur Airport in the 1993 flood. 

The wings were built from storm door frames and coated with 1/8" plywood. The body was formed with fiberglass sheets that were nailed to the frame. 

The tail frame is made of electrical conduit. The propeller is shaped from wood. The "spinner cone" in front of the propeller was made with construction paper, coated with fiberglass resin and strengthened by "$1-a-yard fabric from Wal-Mart," Jim said. 

Instruments in the cockpit were purchased at aviation "flea markets." The plane's wheels are the same as those on "ultralight" planes.

Although the parts are unusual, the workmanship is excellent. Most people looking at the plane don't realize it has no engine and can't fly. "We wanted the plane to look like a real airplane," Jim said. 

The construction is also sturdy. It has to be because kids are climbing over it at air shows. 

When a show is over, the whole family checks the plane for any damage. Then, they do repairs in their front yard so it'll be ready for the next show or parade.
 
 

The 3rd annual World War One fly-in will be held Oct. 7-9 at the Creve Coeur Airport in west St. Louis County. The show is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. 

The main features of the even are World War I aircraft as well as antique automobiles. 

But, other displays such as the Baker's P-51 model also are included. 

The Saint Louis Escadrille organization is hosting the fly-in. That group is dedicated to preserving knowledge of the early days of flying. Members focus on aviation's growth from the Wright brothers flight in 1903 up to 1929. 

Creve Coeur Airport is located at 3127 Creve Coeur Mill Road, just northwest of Creve Coeur County Park. To get there, take I-270 to Dorsett Rd, then west to Marine Avenue. Turn north to Creve Coeur Mill Road and follow the signs. 

Admission is free but there is a $5 parking fee. 

For more information, you can visit the event's website at www.aerodrome.org. Or you can e-mail to KillianONeal@msn.com.