The Punta Gorda Air Field was constructed in 1943 and used as a training facility for Army Air Corps pilots receiving instruction in flying P-40 and later P-51 fighter aircraft. The P-51 Mustang was the famous long-range fighter plane manufactured by North American Aviation.  It was the first plane the company ever built and they completed the first model in a record 177 days.  The Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk was widely used in the early days of WWII and received fame though its use by General Claire Chennault’s Flying Tigers in China .  

This three panel mural depicted the field as it appeared shortly after construction.  Each of the two side panels showed the P-40 and P-51 planes in large, detailed scale.  The third center panel on the ramp wall looked down on the airfield with each building, barracks, shop and mess hall located exactly as they were six decades ago.   

Representing the men who trained at this field was Marshall Hall, the first operator of the control tower (shown in the first panel).  He assisted in the mural dedication and boasted that they never had a plane crash while he was on duty.  

Charlotte County Airport, 28000 Airport Rd

Dedicated April 11, 2002