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THE LIFE AND TIMES OF PAUL HATFIELD

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The 1946 Piper Cub J3C-65

My father flew this airplane a lot. I used to call it "the big bumble bee." We also flew an identical model plane, "the little bumble bee."

My father was a pilot. He flew all kinds of different airplanes: wooden airplanes, metal airplanes, fabric airplanes, and (my favorite) model airplanes! I can still remember the smell of the fuel they ran on... and how frequently we crashed them! Usually, they crashed during take off or landing, and these bad landings seldom resulted in serious damage, but sometimes, if you ran out of fuel or lost control in mid-flight, they got banged up pretty badly. My job was to hold the airplane on the runway until it was revving up to take-off speeds. Then, I would let it go, and it would take off up into the air! Round and round it would circle above our heads. Sometimes, my dad would hand me the controls, and most likely, I would crash it. But I remember at least one time when I had it going for a good long time. It was great fun!

My dad didn't crash a whole lot of airplanes, but his friend Bunky did! It is rumored that Bunky crashed over twenty airplanes, and walked away from each one of them! I went up once with Bunky and my father, and Bunky did a flip, and it was quite an experience for a little kid! Boy, was I glad when we touched down!

Aircraft Photo Gallery

Here are some of the airplanes my dad might have flown. Click on the pictures to see more planes from each of the three eras below.

Antique Aircraft

Click     here to view photos of antique aircraft.

Single-engine airplanes manufactured before 1946.

Classic Aircraft

Click here to view photos of classic aircraft.

Single-engine airplanes manufactured from 1946 to 1960.

Modern Aircraft

Click here to view photos of modern aircraft.

Single-engine airplanes manufactured from 1961 to present.

ABOUT

All About Paul Leroy Hatfield, a legend in his own time.

THE ENTERTAINER

Paul's show business career spanned three decades. Click on the photo above to read all about it!

SKY HIGH

My father's nickname was "Sky High". Click on the link above to find out why!

REALLY SKY HIGH

My dad's nickname "Sky High" followed him as a pilot. Click on the picture above and take off! - "Clear!"

On July 7th, 2000, at approximately 7:30 PM EDT, Paul Hatfield passed from this life to the next. He was 72 years old. This web site is dedicated with lots of love to you, Dad. You'll always be "Sky High" to me! I know you're flying high now, and your spirit lives on in this web site...