In 1945, the U.S. government chose Searcy Field in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for a unique experiment: selling 475 surplus World War II combat aircraft in one giant field sale rather than scrapping them.
This episode of How Curious tells the remarkable story of how a Hollywood stunt pilot became the winning bidder — and what he did with the planes afterward!
Find the episode transcript here.
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— SWO 1945.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
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— B-24 Tail Skid.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
3 of
— Curtis P-40 Tail Wheel.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
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— Curtis P-40 Tail Wheel Data.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
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— B-24 Hamilton Standard Propeller Hub.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
6 of
— B-24 Armor Plate.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
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— Gun Camera Film Canister 2.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
8 of
— B-24 Waist Gun Swing Mount.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
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— B-25 Emergency Exit.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
10 of
— B-17 Ball Turret Armor Plate.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
11 of
— Gun Camera Film Canister 1.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
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— B-24 B-17 Breathing Oxygen Tank.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
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— B-24 Eight Ball Piece.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
14 of
— Seat Back Armor Plate B-24.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
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— Bomb Loading Winch.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
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— Propeller Spider B-24.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
17 of
— Protective Armor Glass B-24.jpg
Searcy Field in 1945, plus parts of airplanes found at the site
Tim Fitzgerald / Stillwater Airport Memorial Museum
