'Bluebonnet Belle' Answered The Call To Deliver Supplies To Beaumont

We all love to see classic warbirds such as those owned and maintained by the Commemorative Air Force at air shows. Whether on static display or flying in tribute to the troops, they never fail to inspire.

But at least one CAF warbird owned and maintained by the CAF Highland Lakes Squadron recently inspired in a different way. The Bluebonnet Bell went back to her roots, carrying supplies into areas devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

CAF Highland Lakes Squadron VP of Operations and Maintenance described the mission in an email released to the media"

"One of the many cities to be hard hit by Hurricane Harvey is Beaumont, Texas. Currently, the city is under water and all electricity and water service is unworkable. They need help urgently," he wrote . "Some proud Texans in the city of Georgetown, Texas, located outside Austin, quickly went to work collecting much needed supplies at the local airport. A call went out for general aviation aircraft and pilots in the area to help take supplies down to Beaumont. The CAF Highland Lakes Squadron answered that call.

"Imagine the look in everyone’s eye when the shiny C-47 Bluebonnet Belle pulled up to the hangar to take a monster payload of supplies. The excitement was palpable as they loaded the large cargo airplane with diapers, food and water knowing a shipment of this size was going to move the needle. We paused for a quick picture with about 50 volunteers, many of them young students who skipped school with their parents to volunteer.

 
"Once loaded, the Pratt and Whitney 1830s roared to life just as they did 70 years ago on similar missions transporting much needed supplies during the war.
 
"During the 1.5 hour flight down to Beaumont the crew witnessed the devastation first hand. The entire city of Beaumont seemed to look underwater. Reports were that the city pumps had failed and they were not coming back anytime soon. With most of the interstate roads closed shipments of supplies were needed by air.
 
"We landed at Beaumont and witnessed what will certainly be called the great Gulf Coast Airlift.  Lines of C-130s at the terminal were staged with bus coaches to take people out of the area to surrounding shelters.

"When the Texas National Guard showed up with their Deuce and a half truck, I knew we had brought supplies to the right place.  A troop of soldiers descended on the C-47 unloading box after box directly onto the military truck.  This was only the first load of supplies and so long as there is a need the CAF is planning to help."

(Images provided with CAF Highland Lakes Squadron news release)

FMI: www.highlandlakessquadron.com