P-51C Red Tail Mustang Restoration

  

P51C – Red Tail Restoration Overview of History and Restoration Process BY:  Members of Twin Cities Restoration Team

Join us for an exciting kick off to the 2010 – 2011 SAE Season. During this meeting we will have the rare opportunity to see in person a restored P51C aircraft from the WWII era. The P-51 is arguably the greatest fighter aircraft ever produced, certainly the most recognizable and legendary of the Second World War. Today there are less than five of the early B/C models left flying. The Red Tail Project, an all-volunteer non-profit organization within the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, just completed a $1 million restoration of the Mustang, named Tuskegee Airmen. The Mustang had been restored once before and toured the air show circuit for three years starting in July 2001. Its pilots and crew took every opportunity to tell audiences across the country the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black fighter pilots to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. The Tuskegee Airmen painted the tails of their fighters red and as they proved their skill and courage in the skies over Italy and Germany, bomber pilots began requesting the "red tail angels." The Airmen flew hundreds of missions and earned hundreds of metals and designations, including the Congressional Gold Metal in 2007 in honor of their war service to the United States. The Red Tail Project's Mustang crashed due to catastrophic mechanical failure at the Bay City Wisconsin Air Show in May 2004, killing the Project's leader, Don Hinz, and destroying the airplane. The members of Red Tail Project never doubted that the plane would one day fly again so it was trucked up to Tri-State Aviation in Wahpeton, ND, and fundraising began. A group of stalwart volunteers worked closely with the staff of Tri-State to rebuild the Mustang so it could continue to serve as a tool to create interest in the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Come and join us to hear more about the history and restoration of this historical plane. If the weather cooperates and we have enough interest, we will be raffling off a ride in the P-51!! Tickets will be $10 and there will be no limit to the amount of tickets you can purchase. (Note: At least $500 must be raised to cover costs. Ride will occur if enough tickets are sold, if not money will be refunded. Please indicate your level of interest when signing up.) Make reservations soon to attend this exciting event. Date: 8 September 2010, Wednesday Times: Events: 5:00 PM Arrival – Sign in 5:00 - 6:00 PM Social Hour including Cash Bar 6:00 - 6:30 PM Dinner 6:30 – 8:30 PM Program Menu Barbecue - Catered by Divine Swine – Sandwich and two sides In Attendance: Cost: Members, Family, and Non-Members $ 22.00 Students & Seniors $ 20.00 Meeting Location: Address: Fleming Field 310 Airport Road, South St. Paul, MN 55075

Preferred Order for Placing Reservations: 1.Use the Section's On-line Form to make Event Reservations. 2. Call RFA Engineering at 952-843-2701 between 8 AM and 4 PM, ask for Erin. 3. You can also place reservations by e-mail at: reserve@rfamec.com 4. Fax reservations to RFA at 952-941-2995 by 2 PM - Friday, 3 September 2010

Please provide your Name, business affiliation, (and Names of all attending in your party). Please cancel 24 hours in advance or you will be charged for the dinner amount.