Ozarks at Large Stories

Gravette's T-33 Undergoes Restoration

KUAF

Published July 18, 2017 at 12:55 PM CDT

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The T-33 stands at Field Kindley Park in honor of WWI fighter pilot Field Kindley.

Z. SITEK / KUAF

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Gordon Ponsford's crew is removing decals that will be replaced with new ones.

Z. SITEK / KUAF

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Ponsford's crew is also repainting the words "U.S. Air Force" from blue to black.

Z. SITEK / KUAF

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The noticeable difference between cleaned portions of the plane and the portions that have yet to be restored.

Z. SITEK / KUAF

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Some parts of the plane need to be replaced with new aluminum panels.

Z. SITEK / KUAF

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Another area where portions of the aluminum have to be replaced.

Z. SITEK / KUAF

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Field Kindley grew up at his uncle's home, which is part of the Gravette Historical Museum.

Z. SITEK / KUAF

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The type of plane Field Kindley flew during WWI.

Z. SITEK / KUAF

The T-33 that is on display at Field E. Kindley Memorial Park in Gravette is undergoing a restoration under the direction of Gordon Ponsford, who has restored everything from artifacts brought up from the Titanic to Martin Luther King Junior’s bible. The plane is a monument to Field Kindley’s distinguished service as a fighter pilot during WWI.