The P-51C “Thunderbird,” one of the most recognizable Mustangs from the post-war era, recently had its first flight after its restoration. Warren Pietsch, a founding board member of the Dakota Territory Air Museum and a famed warbird pilot, hired AirCorps Aviation to complete the restoration of his P-51C. Pilot Bernie Vasquez returned the 1949 Bendix race winner to the air in early June 2023.
aviation museums
Car show at air museum to benefit veterans
All proceeds from the show will be donated to the Fargo Air Museum’s veterans program to provide events, community, and support to veterans in the Fargo Moorhead area. This is the third year for the charitable car show at the museum, officials noted.
Picture of the Day: Bomber readiness
Cheryl Goodwin submitted this photo and note: “A beautiful May morning at the Commemorative Air Force Museum in Mesa, Arizona, as the Bomber Squadron prepares to leave on their summer tour. The Stearman takes center stage as the B-25 “Maid in the Shade” taxies out to depart and the B-17 “Sentimental Journey” sits in the background. Due to the AD currently issued on the B-17s, she didn’t depart this day. However, we were able to have an educational static tour of her.”
Video: First flight after restoration
After eight years of restoration, the only Republic-built “Razorback” variant of the P-47 Thunderbolt has its first test flight in May 2023. Owned by the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, North Dakota, the plane was restored by AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji, Minnesota.
Celebrating Memorial Day
The Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, Idaho, hosted a four-ship warbird fly-over in observance of Memorial Day on May 29, 2023.
Beechcraft museum celebrates golden anniversary
What began as a two-room log cabin established in 1973 has grown in to a 78,000-square-foot, fully climate controlled general aviation museum and campus. Visitors from all across the globe visit daily exploring the 38 exhibited aircraft and historical artifacts of aviation since the beginning of the 19th century.
North American AT-6 joins National WASP WWII Museum’s fleet
“It was an honor to help the WASP museum find the perfect AT-6 they needed,” said Courtesy’s President Mark Clark. “This flying example is an excellent way for the museum to honor those who served before us and remember the contributions the WASP pilots made.”
FlightSimExpo lands in Houston in June
In addition to 130,000 square feet of exhibit space spread across two hangars, the show will feature product announcements and educational seminars throughout the three-day event and fly-in June 23-25 at the Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington Airport (KEFD).
Volunteers needed to help N.H. students build airplanes
The search is on for adult volunteer mentors to aid student plane-building programs in Manchester and Hudson, New Hampshire. If this sounds like something you’d like to do, you are invited to attend an open house at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire May 22, 2023.