From staff reports
It was a special day at the Venango Regional Airport on Saturday when World War II veteran Lyle Langdon visited a few vehicles he very likely could have crossed paths with in Africa over 75 years ago.
The massive 1942 Douglas C-53 Skytrooper, now known as Beach City Baby, loomed in the distance as 97-year-old Langdon stepped from the driver’s seat of his vehicle with a smile on his face.
The Titusville resident saw many parts of Europe and North Africa during his time as a classification specialist in the 15th Troop Carrier Squadron in the Army Air Corps during World War II. While there are no records of Langdon having any physical contact with Beach City Baby, the two share several common locations in their past.
He recalled that he spent time as a chauffeur to a general while in North Africa when he was just 18 or 19 years old, and, to his surprise, Capra began to laugh.
“This was in North Africa when you were there,” he told Langdon in disbelief.
“Check if my fingerprints are on it,” Langdon said joyously.
The two hopped into the truck and took it for a spin down one of the airport’s empty runways.
