In honor of its namesake and the aerospace community that it serves, the William J. “Pete” Knight Veterans Home in Lancaster, Calif., recently acquired a F-100 Super Sabre for permanent display.
The Board of Director of the East Kern Airport District voted in December of last year to donate the surplus supersonic jet fighter to the home after storing it at the Mojave Air & Space Port for several decades.
To celebrate this generous gift and raise funds to offset restoration and display costs, the home is hosting a barbecue fundraiser 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., May 12. Tickets are $10 person, with children eating free, and can be purchased at the door.
A local volunteer group of aerospace enthusiasts, with financial assistance from the United States Air Power Museum in Fresno, Calif., have already begun restoration activities on the plane. As part of the preparations, the fighter is being given a camouflage paint scheme to resemble those flown by the late Senator William J. “Pete” Knight, a U.S. Air Force project test pilot for the F-100 program.
“This is going to be a great addition to our home, I know the residents are excited to have such a great display,” said Norman Andrews, the homes administrator. “It’s going to take a lot of money, but I think the community will support us.”
In addition to the contributions raised by the barbecue and future fundraising events, the home will also be selling commemorative brick pavers to be displayed around the plane. For more information, contact Linda Godin at (661) 810-2047.
