The second half of January ended up being pretty quiet around the hangar. The team at AirCorps Aviation was waiting patiently for the needed engine parts for our P-51C Mustang Tuskegee Airmen to come in, and they were finally shipped back late last week. They got started on putting the engine back together ASAP and we are happy to report that the banks are back on the engine, but we are still waiting on the pivot shafts for the landing gear. The finish line is coming!
An interesting side note, the Tuskegee Airmen’s engine is a Rolls-Royce Merlin, the technologically-ahead-of-its-time machinery that allowed the P-51 to become the powerhouse it is known for in WWII. The advent and installation of this engine into the Mustang fleet during the war transformed their performance, and ultimately the outcome of the fight in Europe, by making the aircraft a mechanically-matched contender with its German counterparts. The decision to re-engine the Mustang gave it the fame of being called “the plane that won the war.” Impressive.
Although the Tuskegee Airmen needed some pretty important maintenance and repairs, this magnificent aircraft is in no way in danger of being grounded for the long haul. We put the aircraft’s condition and safety as the highest priority, and since we set the standards so high we have a lot to do to get it back in the pristine condition it deserves.
THANK YOU to those who have provided additional financial support to help ensure the utmost safety and longevity of our beloved and inspirational P-51C Mustang! We have been happy to hear from so many of you. Thanks for checking in to see how the Mustang is coming along. It’s great to know how many supporters we have that are as equally caring about this great cause as we are.
We will report more soon, so keep your eyes on our blog for the next update!
The CAF Red Tail Squadron is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to educating audiences across the country about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black military pilots and their support personnel. Learn more at www.redtail.org.
