Sightings: Road Trip to Pinckneyville and Sparta Yields Interesting Finds

By Carmelo Turdo

A recent road trip to the Pinckneyville and Sparta, IL airports produced some great experiences.  On the way to Calvin C. McDaniel Field, a visit to see the T-33 Shooting Star on display at the Pinckneyville City Park and Fair Grounds was in order.  The aircraft, T-33A-1-LO s/n 52-9663, is a good early example of the U.S.A.F. jet trainer, but without wing tip tanks. Surrounding the park are railroad facilities and great small-town storefronts that add to the charm.  Next came Sparta's Community-Hunter Field, where an RV-4 was seen on a refueling stop and a Cessna C-150G made an approach to the runway before departing.  Here are some scenes from the trip, including some trains that seemed to be everywhere:

Pinckneyville, IL and surrounding areas

Sparta Community-Hunter Field