MONDAY, 08 FEBRUARY 2010 10:05 – Source Collision Repair Magazine

The black, glossy warplane took off to the sky from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, where it had been securely stored for decades. On the ground, a crowd of spectators applauded the successful late-November launch.

One of the spectators was Sam Piercey, co-owner of Budds’ Collision Services and a columnist for Collision Repair magazine. It was fitting Piercey was on the guest list—he painted the museum’s Avro Lancaster 20 years ago.

“When they were talking about it, I let them know that I actually put the clear coat and base on that plane,” Piercey said. Piercey and his son coated the warbird, which was commonly used during World War II as a bomber. Today, he’s happy to see his handiwork stored among dozens of Canadian warplanes in the museum, located in Hamilton, Ontario.

The unforgettable afternoon from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum at the John C Munro International Airport in Hamilton was hosted by 3M Canada. George Buckley, chairman, president and chief executive officer of the global 3M Company, was on hand to welcome and introduce Jack Roush, chairman of Roush Enterprises.

As the co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing, one of NASCAR’s most recognized and successful teams, Jack Roush is very well known to racing fans. But the instrumental role the aerospace company he founded plays in the restoration of Rolls-Royce Merlin engines has also made him a star in aviation circles. The engines powered a number of the fighter and bomber aircraft the Allied forces relied on in World War II.

Also flying that day was the museum’s Mitchell B-25.“It’s an amazing thing to see if you haven’t seen it before,” Piercey said. “One of the biggest things people don’t realize is that it’s unbelievable what we have in this museum.” -CRM