A fully restored P-51D Mustang that will be put on display at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans is scheduled to be unveiled at a ceremony Saturday at Gillespie Field.
The fighter will be the first authentic P-51 at the Louisiana museum.
It was restored over the past two years by Flyboys Aeroworks, a collective of mechanics, artisans, apprentices and engineers devoted to the restoration, reconstruction and conservation of World War II period aircraft and aircraft components.
“The P-51D was among the most important military aircraft ever built, and everyone at Flyboys Aeroworks who has contributed to this project was honored to be a part of this historic effort,” said Rolando Gutierrez, owner of Flyboys Aeroworks. “We are truly humbled to have had the opportunity to keep history alive.”
The Mustang was the first long-range fighter deployed to Europe that could accompany Allied bombers on missions deep into Nazi-held territory. Before their arrival, bomber crews were unescorted in the areas closest to their targets, and took a pummeling from German fighter aircraft.
Among the pilots of P-51s were the famed Tuskegee Airmen. The exterior of the restored aircraft was painted to resemble the plane flown by Tuskegee Airman Roscoe Brown.
“P-51 Mustangs were essential to the Allies gaining control of European airspace,” said Tom Czekanski, the National WWII Museum’s senior curator and restoration manager.
“The P-51 provided U.S. Army Air Forces with a high-performance, high- altitude, long-range fighter that could escort heavy bomber formations to Berlin and back,” Czekanski said. “With American pilots, including Tuskegee Airmen, at the helm, American forces were able to dramatically reduce the loss of bomber crews, which they had been suffering since the daylight bombing campaign began in 1942.”
Stephen Watson, the museum’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, Tuskegee Airmen Claude Rowe and Nelson Robinson and retired Gen. Robert Cardenas are scheduled to attend the event, which begins at 10:30 a.m. The roll-out of the aircraft is set for noon.
–City News Service