Please consider donating to our cause that will help offset the cost of flying a 1945 World War II Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon to the final Reno Air Races with a very special right seat co-pilot will be onboard.

Lewis “Pat” Patteson, at 101 years young, has countless hours flying the PV-2 and we’d love for him to be able to add one more flight into his logbook this year. Imagine, flying a big patrol bomber after decades of hiatus, only to have the recall to safely fly this big plane! Pat would assume flight responsibilities bringing the PV-2 Harpoon safely into Reno Stead Airport in mid-September.

Pat is a World War II veteran U.S. Navy pilot and member of the VP-135 “Blind Foxes,” who first flew the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura patrol bomber against the enemy from the Aleutian Islands. Pat also flew the PBY and PV-2 Harpoon aircraft. Pat is a veteran of several combat and reconnaissance missions and has some great stories to tell.

Your tax deductible donations will help fund this historic and newsworthy flight.

The Stockton Field Aviation Museum (SFAM) is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization whose mission is to offer the public a greater appreciation of America’s World War II aviation history, including the people who designed, built, maintained, prepared and flew the aircraft of our country’s “Greatest Generation.” Our passion is to preserve the equipment, stories and technical information of that time, and to offer it to the public through hands-on living history events. Our focus is not only Stockton Field but all of our country’s World War II training fields and military aviation heritage. 

Thank you in advance for helping to get Pat back in his old seat and flying once again.