Keep a WWII Love Story Soaring
Donation protected
"That's my Cary telling me he loves me," Charlotte Ezell Salter used to say as a WWII Trainer Plane buzzed the side of the factory that she worked at.
Lt. Cary Salter served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. During his training at Key Field in Meridian, Mississippi, Charlotte worked at a munitions factory in Prairie. Since they could not communicate during this time, Cary would fly his plane by the factory that Charlotte worked at, creating a buzz so large that it knocked items off of the walls, and swept Charlotte off of her feet.
Lt. Salter was sent to Europe late in the war, serving in the 354th Fighter Group (Pioneer Mustang Group), and the 353rd Flying Cobras Fighter Squadron. Upon arrival, Cary did not have a plane assigned to him, as pilots were not given their own plane until someone was sent home or killed in action. He named his first plane 'Charlotte's Chariot', after his first and only love.
On one mission, Cary and his plane were shot down by a German ME-109 fighter plane. As the plane was burning, Cary grabbed only his photo of Charlotte and unscrewed the eight-day Elgin Clock to take her as a war souvenier.
Upon the arrival of his second P-51D Mustang, Cary devotedly named his new plane 'Charlotte's Chariot II'. Following the war, the plane remained in Europe.
The North American P-51 Mustang was one of the planes credited with winning the war for America during WWII in the European Theatre. The Southern Heritage Air Foundation is proud to be the home of a 1945 P-51D named Charlotte's Chariot II. The plane is painted after Lt. Salter's plane that he flew during WWII.
Cary and Charlotte married on June 18, 1944 and raised 2 children in Jackson, Mississippi. They remained married for 67 years until Charlotte's death in 2012. Cary still resides in Jackson, MS.
LIVING HISTORY is important because it brings about a reality, to youth and those interested in our history, of how America has overcome many struggles. WWII was when the WHOLE world was at war. This is not taught in great length anymore in schools. Providing living history opportunities is one of main missions of the Southern Heritage Air Foundation (a 501 c 3 non-profit).
We are proud to be able to display this plane in our museum but are most proud that we have been able to keep this plane flying!
The cost of maintenance and fuel on a plane this age is quite expensive on a small non-profit. We have other planes that we can sell rides in, but we have not yet been approved by the FAA rides program to sell rides in our P-51D. If we do ever achieve that goal, the plane may pay for itself annually through the sale of rides. We are able to perform in a few airshows, and our pilots donate their time in exchange for log time in flying the aircraft. This helps us with some of the maintenance.
Each time the plane goes up though, it costs us approximately $1,000. This is due to fuel, oil, and maintenance checks after each flight. There are not many of these beautiful birds flying today, so we are honored to be able to have one, and to share it with anyone who wants to see it on the ground and in the air.
Because we are a small museum, our funds are limited. No one is paid through any of the monies that comes through the Southern Heritage Air Foundation. NO ONE! All of the monies we raise go back into the Foundation to be used for the planes and the museum, and to bring living history events to those who are interested.
WE NEED YOUR HELP to keep this piece of history flying! Thank you for your consideration and for more information about our organization, please visit our website: www.southernheritageair.org. Like us on Facebook "Southern Heritage Air Foundation". Follow us on Twitter @charchariotii and on Instagram @charchariotii.
HELP KEEP HISTORY ALIVE FOR ALL GENERATIONS TO ENJOY AND LEARN ABOUT!
Lt. Cary Salter served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. During his training at Key Field in Meridian, Mississippi, Charlotte worked at a munitions factory in Prairie. Since they could not communicate during this time, Cary would fly his plane by the factory that Charlotte worked at, creating a buzz so large that it knocked items off of the walls, and swept Charlotte off of her feet.
Lt. Salter was sent to Europe late in the war, serving in the 354th Fighter Group (Pioneer Mustang Group), and the 353rd Flying Cobras Fighter Squadron. Upon arrival, Cary did not have a plane assigned to him, as pilots were not given their own plane until someone was sent home or killed in action. He named his first plane 'Charlotte's Chariot', after his first and only love.
On one mission, Cary and his plane were shot down by a German ME-109 fighter plane. As the plane was burning, Cary grabbed only his photo of Charlotte and unscrewed the eight-day Elgin Clock to take her as a war souvenier.
Upon the arrival of his second P-51D Mustang, Cary devotedly named his new plane 'Charlotte's Chariot II'. Following the war, the plane remained in Europe.
The North American P-51 Mustang was one of the planes credited with winning the war for America during WWII in the European Theatre. The Southern Heritage Air Foundation is proud to be the home of a 1945 P-51D named Charlotte's Chariot II. The plane is painted after Lt. Salter's plane that he flew during WWII.
Cary and Charlotte married on June 18, 1944 and raised 2 children in Jackson, Mississippi. They remained married for 67 years until Charlotte's death in 2012. Cary still resides in Jackson, MS.
LIVING HISTORY is important because it brings about a reality, to youth and those interested in our history, of how America has overcome many struggles. WWII was when the WHOLE world was at war. This is not taught in great length anymore in schools. Providing living history opportunities is one of main missions of the Southern Heritage Air Foundation (a 501 c 3 non-profit).
We are proud to be able to display this plane in our museum but are most proud that we have been able to keep this plane flying!
The cost of maintenance and fuel on a plane this age is quite expensive on a small non-profit. We have other planes that we can sell rides in, but we have not yet been approved by the FAA rides program to sell rides in our P-51D. If we do ever achieve that goal, the plane may pay for itself annually through the sale of rides. We are able to perform in a few airshows, and our pilots donate their time in exchange for log time in flying the aircraft. This helps us with some of the maintenance.
Each time the plane goes up though, it costs us approximately $1,000. This is due to fuel, oil, and maintenance checks after each flight. There are not many of these beautiful birds flying today, so we are honored to be able to have one, and to share it with anyone who wants to see it on the ground and in the air.
Because we are a small museum, our funds are limited. No one is paid through any of the monies that comes through the Southern Heritage Air Foundation. NO ONE! All of the monies we raise go back into the Foundation to be used for the planes and the museum, and to bring living history events to those who are interested.
WE NEED YOUR HELP to keep this piece of history flying! Thank you for your consideration and for more information about our organization, please visit our website: www.southernheritageair.org. Like us on Facebook "Southern Heritage Air Foundation". Follow us on Twitter @charchariotii and on Instagram @charchariotii.
HELP KEEP HISTORY ALIVE FOR ALL GENERATIONS TO ENJOY AND LEARN ABOUT!
Organizer
Southern Heritage Air Foundation
Organizer
Tallulah, LA