The 2023 National Championship Air Races attracted a number of vintage racing aircraft to the final event held at storied Reno/Stead Field (KRTS), including the pristine white P-51D Mustang known as the Bardahl Special.
P-51
Picture of the Day: A new perspective
Kent Shiemaker submitted this photo and note: “Another view of the beautiful P-51.”
World War II pilot surprised with visit from P-51
Officials with the Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia flew its P-51 Mustang fighter to Florida recently to help surprise a World War II veteran and former P-51 pilot who was celebrating his 100th birthday.
Jimmy Stewart’s Mustang is the best of old and new
It’s a wonderful life for Jimmy Stewart’s newly restored Mustang, now ensconced in the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, North Dakota.
Picture of the Day: The powerfully elegant P-51
Will Lopez submitted this photo and note: “I saw this beautiful P-51 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023, my first time at Oshkosh.”
A famed Mustang takes to the air again
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.
Heritage Flight to kick off Super Bowl
For the first time, an Air Force Heritage Flight of five aircraft will fly over the 2022 Super Bowl during the National Anthem.
Win a chance to fly in a P-51
Donate to the First Flight Society and win a chance to fly in Stallion 51’s P-51. Donations start as little as $25, with the winner drawn on Dec. 17, 2021, at Kill Devil Hills, N.C, the site of the Wright brothers’ first successful flight.
Picture of the Day: P-51 test flight
Brett Godown submitted this photo and note: “Test flight of the fully restored 474978 P-51 Mustang at Salinas Airport in California, including Cal Pacific Airmotive.”