The Cessna aeroplane in which Buddy Holly learnt to fly is up for sale at Mid-Hudson Auction Galleries on August 19.
The Cessna 172 N8556B was originally owned by Champs Aviation, a flight school based at Lubbock Municipal Airport in Texas, Holly's home city.
Buddy Holly was learning to fly in this plane
It’s accompanied by a log book that lists Holly as having taken three lessons between August and November 1958.
His older brother Larry said in a 2016 interview with local paper the Lubbock Avalanche Journal: “It looked to me like the little stink was taking lessons on his own, with plans to surprise the family when he got his license.”
Larry was himself a pilot and had taken his brother flying on a number of occasions.
Buddy Holly was killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa on February 3, 1959, along with tour mates Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper.
After his death this Cessna remained in use at Champs Aviation, but was later sold. Its registration number was changed and the connection with Holly was lost.
It was only recently rediscovered after the owner of Holly’s logbook became curious about the plane and managed to track down the owner.
They decided to consign both pieces to auction as a single lot, offered with an estimate of $100,000-150,000.
The sale will also feature the Buddy Holly and the Crickets' touring car.
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