WWII-era plane replica ‘takes off’ to new Hillsborough County location

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A replica of a World War II-era plane “took off” to a new location Thursday afternoon.

The piece, created by artist Dominique Martinez, is a sculpture of the World War II A-36 Apache plane.

“Digging into history, it really inspired me,” Martinez said.

Each of the columns in the Tax Collector’s Office represents each engine of the beam.

“This being displayed outside is really monumental,” Martinez added. “Not just as a memorial but really showing how Nancy Millan and local government is really stepping up in beautifying the city of Tampa with art.”

Millan, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector, said the fighter plane was parked and used at their Drew Field Office and served as part of the MacDill Air Force Base.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Motors Unit escorted the sculpture to its new landing place, the Drew Park Tax Collector’s Office, from its current location, Rustic Steel on North Highland Avenue.

The Tax Collector’s Office is re-dedicating the sculpture in its new space. The plane will be unveiled next week and be displayed as a public artpiece for all of Tampa to enjoy.

See story from Channel 8 here.