P51 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 hardworking 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 P51D Mustang, the Little Rebel, while his brother, Bill Pattillo, completed 35 combat missions in his Sweet and Lovely P51D 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 P51s 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 AeroTV as we preview our exclusive feature profiling Bob Bakers P51 Mustangs and the legendary pilots who made them soar.

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