Friends and community members gathered at the Nut Tree airport to say goodbye to a local volunteer after almost 40 years in the Vacaville community.

The event was held at the Rowland Freedom Center on April 5 to say farewell to Larry Smigla after 37 years in the Vacaville community. Smigla was instrumental in organizing various events at the Nut Tree airport including Mustangs and More that featured P-51 Mustangs and Ford Mustangs together at the airport. The event ran for about six years, he said. 

Along with Mustangs and More, Smigla was involved with the Rowland Freedom Center, building many of the model aircraft currently on display there. 

“The majority of the airplanes that I donated to the museum here because they had a hangar here,” Smigla said. “With over 400 models that I built, I ran out of space in my apartment. 400 models is a lot of models for a one bedroom apartment.”

His current project is a diorama of Baa Baa Black Sheep, a WWII squadron of Corsairs popularized in the 1970s television series. Smigla plans to complete that project after his move to Ohio, he said.

“That’s my therapy, photography and model building,” Smigla said, adding that he has had to put those on hold while he prepares for the move.

In addition to contributing models to the museum, Smigla has volunteered many hours there and says he has seen a lot of changes with the center over the years. 

“I used to be a volunteer here when the museum had about four different name changes,” Smigla said. “I used to do Mustang Days and Mustangs and More for six years, and almost all the Nut Tree air fairs.”

Mustangs and More started in 2009 and ran each year until 2014, Smigla said. The event drew crowds of aviation and classic car enthusiasts. Admission was free during the first few years, but organizers eventually started charging $5 for entry, he said.

“It was a lot of fun,” Smigla said. “It was a lot of work, I was the first one out here on the ramp, and the last one to leave two days later. And I’m not a pilot, I do it for the fun of it.”

His love of history is one reason Smigla works to preserve the past, he said, adding that military and aviation history in particular are not taught in schools.

Smigla recalled meeting people from all walks of life during the events, including WWII triple ace Bud Anderson, Tuskegee Airmen James C. Warren, and members of the Flying Tigers among many other veterans.

The year 2013 featured 11 P-51 Mustangs and six Thunder Mustangs among other vintage aircraft.  

While he is looking forward to moving to Ohio, Smigla said he will miss the friends he has here. 

“I’m going to miss all my friends after 37 years, it’s hard to move,” he said. “But with health, the economy, moving to Ohio with my family being there, it’s a win win situation all around.”