35 cents
VOL. 3/ISSUE 4
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014
Surgeon shares treasures of private aviation museum at gathering Mary Kemper STAFF WRITER
mkemper@veteranvoiceweekly.com
On an overcast and windy Nov. 22, scores of people nevertheless enjoyed a reception held by Stuart plastic surgeon Dr. Luis Villar, who shared his private aviation museum and aircraft under reconstruction. Located at Witham Field, Villar’s hangar is filled with aviation memorabilia from flight’s earliest days on up to Cold-War era planes. By itself, the museum is a trove of artifacts from days gone by, as well as hundreds of models of aircraft and ships. “This ‘gentleman’ is wearing the uniform of the 7th Cavalry just before World War I, during the hunt for Pancho Villa in Mexico,” Villar explained during a personally conducted tour of the museum. He referred to a mannequin on display, along with weapons and other artifacts. “Next to him is a doctor from the very same mission. Note the Gillette razor, and the blades. They’re exactly the same as are used today,” he said. Moving on to a display of World War I air “aces,” Villar pointed out a flying helmet worn by Douglas Campbell, who was “ace of aces” before Eddie Rickenbacker took the title. “Campbell was recalled back to the U.S., so Rickenbacker was there (in the war theater) longer, and thus racked up more kills,” Villar said. There is also a display containing items worn by, and photos of aircraft flown by, the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. Former Martin County Commissioner Marshal “Bud” Wilcox gave Villar a bomber jacket before he died recently, Villar said. The doctor also has photos on display of B-17 bomber missions during actual combat in World War II, complete with flak bursts.
See MUSEUM page 3
Staff photo by Mary Kemper Dr. Luis Villar, who practices cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in Stuart, stands next to a Cold War-era Russian MIG trainer aircraft at Witham Field during a reception he held Nov. 22.