Richie Livacz is a very lucky young man. He lives in St. Thomas with his parents David and Leslie. He has been driving a VW for a couple of years now, and is flying in his first airplane. His love for planes comes naturally. Even before he could really speak, he would look up at the sky at night and when he would see the flashing lights in the air he would say “plane”. Richie’s Grandfather, Richard Johnson age 84 was a B-17 pilot in WWI, and still flies his 1946 piper PA-12 Super Cruiser. He will sit with his grandfather and try to identify planes flying overhead. So, you can see that he needed his own plane.
He became the owner of a plane that needed some work. The plane was purchased in Ohio, and sent to his uncle’s house in Maryland for restoration. Richie and his parents went for a visit and started helping his two uncles restore the plane. The plane was taken apart, and sand blasted. Dents were hammered, holes filled in, tack welding. This was going to be a big job for a young pilot. Not many reproduction parts were needed for the restoration.
Once the plane was restored and ready for flight it was sent to St. Thomas. Richie is the proud owner of an American National “Command Air” plane. This plane was restored for Richie to play with. When asked what he wanted to name the plane he said Herbie the love bug. You see Richie has an affection for Herbie. Now Richie has a VW Herbie, and a airplane to match. He takes it out for flights often. I think the best flight he has taken it on is the one where Grandpa was his wing man.
A special thanks go to his 2 uncles David and Carl Johnson for their fine restoration. Maybe this is the beginning of a future in space travel for Richie. We hope that you enjoy your plane Richie!!!!
P/S to all you collectors out there wishing you could be as lucky as he is. You just have to keep looking. I doubt if he ever sells his plane.