PENN TWP — Betty Grable, Michael Kors and Jim Savage.

Savage, a 67-year-old former finance guy from Adams Township, might not seem like the type who belongs in a list with a World War II pinup girl and a jet-set fashion designer.

But Savage is the link that bonds the two: Both have used Savage's 1939 Spartan Executive airplane as a co-model in their iconic photography.

And now you too can strike a pose when Savage's rare bird appears at the Lighthouse Foundation's 30th year fundraising celebration May 16 in Butler County Airport's hangar C3.

Savage recently met with the organizers to prepare and talk about his aircraft — one of only 20 surviving Spartan Executives.

Although Savage refuses to give his particular polished aluminum 4-seater a name, the company chose “Executive” way back when because the aircraft was designed to chauffeur oil executives from site to site. Only 34 ever were assembled, allowing for a different paint job for each. And so efficient were they that the military grabbed onto some of them.

“They cost $25,000 new, which was a lot of money back then. They were something special,” Savage said. “That's why they were well cared for.”

Savage's plane was operated by a driller, the British government and the Canadian government before it returned to the United States and was demilitarized. Texaco had it for a while before a Saint Louis man bought it and put it in a Texas museum. At least a third of the existing Spartan Executives are in museums.

“But I fly mine every time the weather is nice,” Savage said, noting he flies over his own home and his wife, Anita, waves from their yard.

The owner immediately before Savage also flew the plane, wrecking it in a blotched landing on the way to a prestigious air awards show. Savage bought the one-time trophy-winning plane in a salvage sale.

“I either won or lost (the auction) depending on how you look at it,” he said with a chuckle. He's long wanted a Spartan Executive, “but I expected I'd be able to fly it right away.”

The aircraft was so damaged it took two years of repairs to get it flyable, and upgrades continue. Savage also bought a Cessna 140 to orientate himself to flying a tail-wheeled plane.

“It's not the easiest to fly,” Savage said of the Spartan Executive.

Savage had worked with an F-4 Phantom while in the Marines from 1965-1968. But he was in an administrative position and didn't decide to get his pilot's license until 1976.

“There was this airport in Hershey where you could get a plane ride for $10,” Savage said. “I did that, and the next week I signed up to get my pilot's license.”

After learning to fly, he drove to the airport, “to rent a plane. It wasn't available, so I bought one.”

The Spartan Executive will be displayed at the Lighthouse's fundraiser. Visitors won't be able to fly in it, but they can sit in it or have their photograph taken for a fee.

In addition to the display, organizers are planning a 20-piece big band and a host of fun money raisers, hors d'oeuvres and activities.

“Soaring for Hope” is the theme of the organization's 30-year anniversary.

Founded in 1985, Lighthouse was, for its first two years, an outreach ministry of First Bakerstown Presbyterian Church. The intent of the ministry was to help families who had suddenly fallen upon tough times due to the decline in the steel industry.

The first outreach ministries of The Lighthouse were a food pantry, furniture warehouse, Christmas toy shop, home repairs and emergency financial assistance.

In November 1986, The Lighthouse Foundation became its own nonprofit organization. In 1991, The Lighthouse moved into its current location on Cruikshank Road in Middlesex Township.

Services include employment counseling, computer education, emergency shelter and Christian counseling. Homes in Butler were bought for young men and women in need of transitional housing.

Wheels of Work, a low-income car ownership program, was initiated to help people who needed reliable transportation to and from work.

“Poverty is not a one size fits all problem,” said Cindy Cipoletti, executive director. “Each person we encounter has a unique set of circumstances that has resulted in a life of poverty.”

She also said, “The Lighthouse Foundation's mission is to meet the needs of all people in need and provide them with the resources needed to pull themselves out of poverty and into a more fulfilling life.”

WHAT: “Soaring for Hope,” the Lighthouse Foundation’s 30-year anniversary partyDATE: May 16WHERE: Butler County Airport’s Hangar C3TICKETS: Event is capped at 250 ticketsFOR MORE INFORMATION: Lisa Snyder, event chairman at 724-586-5554