P-51 Mustang Owner Bob Baker Describes His Journey to the Pattillo Brothers

Rarely do a group of Warbird restoration enthusiasts get a chance to honor the brave sacrifice of the veteran pilots for which their planes represent; yet, that is precisely the extraordinary opportunity that became a reality for Bob Baker and his hard-working crew when they brought two legendary WWII pilots, the Pattillo brothers, to EAA AirVenture 2009.

Major General Cuthbert “Bill” Pattillo, and his twin brother, Lieutenant General Charles “Buck” Pattillo both flew in the 352nd Fighter Group.  Born on June 3, 1924, the inseparable brothers enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in November of 1942, eventually joining the renowned “Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney.” 

Lt. Gen. “Buck” Pattillo flew 37 combat missions in his P-51D Mustang, the “Little Rebel,” while his brother, “Bill” Pattillo, completed 35 combat missions in his “Sweet and Lovely” P-51D Mustang.

Baker completed “Sweet and Lovely’s” restoration two years ago. This year, however, was the first time that the brothers were able to see both planes restored since flying the P-51s over 65 years ago.  For “Buck” Pattillo, it was a moving reunion; the last time he saw “Little Rebel” was in 1945 while stationed in England.

Join Aero-TV as we preview our exclusive feature profiling Bob Baker’s P-51 Mustangs and the legendary pilots who made them soar.

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