Nelson Ezell
EAA 484845, Warbirds 595324
Since 1986, Nelson Ezell has been rebuilding warbirds. That’s an understatement – from his facilities at the Stephens County Airport in Breckenridge, Texas, he and his team have saved some unique aircraft that otherwise may have ended up in the scrap heap.
Aircraft saved include a Brewster Corsair, Lockheed P-38 Lightning, a Wildcat, many Sea Furys and P-51 Mustangs, a Curtiss Helldiver, and some F8F Bearcats. One Bearcat in particular is known as Rare Bear, the Unlimited Class racer that is a crowd favorite at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada. Rare Bear has made the circuit in Reno at speeds well more than 500 miles per hour, making it a top contender year after year.
Nelson was born in 1943 and was interested in hot rods as a young man. His interests eventually led him to aviation and restoring warbirds. He is well-known in the warbird community as one of the best in the business. Safety and attention to detail are the hallmarks of his restoration work.
Nelson and his wife, Dude, have four children, and their two boys are actively involved in the family business, Ezell Aviation.