http://www.cnac.org/bussart01.htmDon was my friend and lived not too far away. He was born and lived in his family home just across the state line over near Paris, Illinois, in the small town of Dudley. When I first met him, I just knew him as a pilot, an old guy with several old rag wing tail draggers in his hangars at his home grass strip.
Little by little, I came to know of Don's accomplishments. He and his wife "Kako" loved it when planes flew to their strip. They would always invite you in for a cup of tea and often some sherbet to boot. You were welcome throughout his house, which was more of a museum. Models of planes and photos of days gone by were every where. Turned out that the models of planes, many of which resided in the hangars with his 10 real airplanes, were all types that he flew over the years.
Don was known to say that he was the first captain hired by Claire Chennault for CAT. I believe that Don flew for every iteration of the CIA until his retirement decades ago. He was also proud of the fact that he considered Chiang Kai-shek a personal friend, and was happy to share some photos he had taken with the Chinese nationalist leader. One memorable photo was the beheading of a criminal, which Don shared on more than one occasion.
After The War, Don came back to the states and bought a P47 Thunderbolt. One of his friends, I believe it was one of the Flying Tigers but I can't remember, was with him and asked Don what in the hell he was going to do with a single seat airplane? Don bought the plane anyway and flew it around the patch once. When he landed, his buddy convinced him to trade the P47 in for a T6, which had TWO seats and was much more useful. So Don was proud to say that he owned a Thunderbolt for about 30 minutes. Then Don traded the P47 back to the broker and had to pay about $200 more for the more desirable (hah!) T6. Which I think set him back somewhere around $1200. He said it was the fastest T6 he ever flew, a very early model. He also said both planes were brand spanking factory new.
A little later, Don somehow acquired a Mosquito. I think he may have said he won it in a poker game. He said it was the fastest and most fun airplane he'd ever had. Many folks know of Don because he competed in the
1949 Bendix Cup race in that Mosquito. After being in the lead, Don's oxygen system was malfunctioning, so he had to stay low. Then he lost an engine. Don was proud to say that he still finished the race on one engine, came in fourth, and averaged over 340 mph.
After the cup race, Don's work took him back out of the country. He kept the T6 down in St. Louis. I think the Mosquito was there, too. Don would cuss a little when talking about the Mosquito, seems his EX wife sold it out from under him while he was back in the Orient.
Don was in the right business, because he would not share much of his exploits. Just bits and pieces. He would say that he flew the orient beginning before WWII in transports with a stop watch and a map. He said he would deliver rice, goats or whatever was in the back. Back home in his personal office, half the room was covered with a blanket. You were not allowed to look at anything under the shroud. That was, until one day we went over and Don showed us a Presidential document thanking him for his service and some 50 years of silence to protect US secrets. He was now allowed to talk about his exploits. In his office, the cover was off and in the middle of his desk were a pair of distinguished flying awards. Don was happy to report that although he had never worked for the US government officially, he was now officially recognized for his service.
I will miss flying over to his 2000 feet of grass. You'd often see him rolling and cutting the strip on his Cub Cadet. We've had EAA chapter meetings and "fly outs" to his strip. I've landed there in every plane I ever owned, except the T6 we bought this year. I have buzzed his strip a couple times with it, but not had a chance to stop in. I regret that I will not be able to share our T6 with him. I know he loved the T6 and was certainly in hog heaven a couple years ago when some Wixers stopped in with their T6s.
One time a couple years ago, I flew with a friend toward Mattoon, Illiois for lunch. Every time I head west out of Terre Haute, I try to do a pass or two at Don's. He wasn't there. The hangar door was open. I searched the air and finally found Don out for a joy ride in his PA12 Super Cruiser. He had already spotted me. I flew out in front of him and did a big wing wag. He immediately did a wing wag. Just saying hello in the air. Don still had his medical and flew up until very recently.
I was in an accident with my experimental a couple years ago. The next day I was in my hangar and I got a call on my cell phone. Sounded like some kid on the other end of the phone, I didn't recognize the voice or the number. The voice was saying how sorry he was to hear about my accident, and asked how I was. I said fine, just a little cut up. I told him my plane was totaled. He asked if I intended to rebuild it and I said probably. He said he still wanted a ride in it, since I hadn't taken him up yet. It finally dawned on me who it was. The guy looked sixty and talked like a kid, always young at heart. And then it also dawned on me... my cell phone was brand new. How did he get my number? Hmmmm....
Don Bussart was a pilot's pilot. He was an exceptionally nice fellow who loved to share stories, especially flying stories. He always welcomed folks to his strip and into his home. One of the most delightful and personable people I've had the pleasure of knowing. He lead an amazing life, probably experiencing adventures only found in movies.
Blue Skies and Fair Winds, Don!
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
