Thunderbird Field II Veterans’ Memorial

Scottsdale City Council approved an agreement to build a veterans' memorial shade plaza as part of the recent Terminal Area Redevelopment Project. This structure features a Pre-World War II Stearman aircraft.

Stearman PT-17 Biplane

It was a flashback in history when the Stearman PT-17 biplane landed at Scottsdale Airport -- it's identical to those flown here when the airport was founded as Thunderbird II, a training field for pilots training for combat duty in World War II.

Stearman's Biplane New Home

The plane is the centerpiece of a memorial to those pilots and their accomplishments. Watch video of airplane being hoisted into its new home at the Thunderbird Field II Veterans' Memorial.

Captain Jerry Yellin

WWII Veteran Capt. Jerry Yellin, 93, had the opportunity to once again fly in and take the controls of a Stearman PT-17, just like the one he trained in when he was 19 at the very same airport he trained at decades ago, today's Scottsdale Airport - once Thunderbird Field II.