BARNSTORMING COMES ALIVE OVER CAPE GIRARDEAU

The age of barnstorming came alive again as a Red Baron Boeing A-75 Stearman from Marshall, Minn., colored the skies of Cape Girardeau.

Tom Womack, a professional aerobatic pilot in a red-and-white open cockpit biplane, flew into Cape Girardeau's Municipal Airport recently to give rides to area store managers and media representatives.

The rides were provided in appreciation for help in promoting a fund-raiser for the Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Center in Sikeston.

"Every grocery store in the nine surrounding counties is participating in this fund-raiser," said Marty Blakey, sales manager for Red Baron Pizza Service. "The airplanes are brought to Cape Girardeau to reward store managers for their cooperation."

Red Baron Pizza Service is donating 5 cents to the Center for every Red Baron Frozen Pizza sold in Southeast Missouri grocery stores July 20 through Saturday.

Blakey said $2,400 was made last year in a similar fund-raiser. The goal for this year is over $2,500, he said.

Usually, four Red Baron biplanes dazzle viewers by flying in formation and performing aerobatic stunts, but only one plane was available to come to Cape Girardeau this year.

The nationally recognized squadron participates in fund-raising activities and special events all across the country to benefit America's youths.

The "real" Red Baron, the flamboyant Baron Mandred von Richthofen, became famous during World War I by personally downing 80 French and English aircraft as leader of the German fighter squadron nicknamed von Richthofen's "Flying Circus."

He was dubbed the Red Baron because of the bright red plane he chose to fly as a challenge to opposing airmen.

When this reporter arrived at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport to fly with the "Baron," greetings were extended by John Fisher, marketing manager for Red Baron Pizza in Benton, Ark.

He said the Stearman biplanes have traveled to 200 cities this year to raise money for various charities.

"We enjoy this so much because we know we're helping kids at the Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Center," Fisher said. "I've been there, and it's a wonderful place."

The pilot assured this reporter that he would fly no higher than 1,000 feet and forgo the aerobatics because of the low cloud cover.

It was a major accomplishment to get strapped into the airplane. The waist and shoulder harness secured this passenger to the seat in the open cockpit. The pilot would be positioned directly behind, in the rear cockpit seat.

Before explaining how to leave the plane in an emergency, he pointed out the strap for the backpack parachute. When seeing a look of terror, he assured, "No one has used the parachute in the 13 years we've flown the planes."

The final preparation was the donning of the authentic flying cap, which included goggles and intercom headset so that the pilot and passenger could converse.

After receiving permission from the tower for takeoff, we were soon off the runway and gaining altitude.

Because of the strong winds, the ride was somewhat bumpy, but the aerial view of Cape Girardeau was incredible. One could pick out several landmarks such as the Southeast Missouri State University campus, which looked tiny.

The most interesting part of the ride was being able to look down over the Mississippi River. Surprisingly, one feels completely safe and protected in the open cockpit.

In what seemed like a very short amount of time, the 15-minute scenic ride was over and the plane was heading back to the airport.

Back on the ground, Womack explained that the Stearman was built in 1941, and used as a trainer during WW-II. He said the Red Baron Squadron is preserving a lost aviation heritage.

"The only difference between us and the original barnstormers of the '20s and '30s is we don't have to sleep under the wing of the airplane," said Womack.