The latest restoration to emerge from the AirCorps Aviation restoration shop has officially taken to the skies. The beautifully restored North American P-51B Mustang Shillelagh arrived at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on July 19 following a successful test flight from AirCorps Aviation’s headquarters in Bemidji, Minnesota (BJI). Despite smoky skies, the aircraft performed flawlessly before departing for Oshkosh, where it is now on display in the Warbirds area for the duration of the event. As has become synonymous with AirCorps Aviation restorations, Shillelagh is far more than a meticulously restored warbird—it is a work of art and an extraordinary tribute to the history it represents.
The original Shillelagh (also frequently spelled Shillelaugh or Shillalah) was a North American P-51B-10-NA Mustang, serial number 42-106602, that flew an impressive 95 combat missions with the 353rd Fighter Squadron of the 354th Fighter Group in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Named after the traditional Irish wooden club, the Mustang participated in a remarkable variety of missions, including bomber escort operations to Berlin, dive-bombing attacks, fighter sweeps, beach patrols over Normandy, armed reconnaissance, scrambles, and ground-attack missions.
The wreckage of the original aircraft was recovered through the efforts of Paul Ehlen and Jack Larsen with the generous support of the Ken and Betty Dahlberg Family Foundation. Ownership of the project was transferred to the Dakota Territory Air Museum in 2025, with AirCorps Aviation entrusted to undertake the restoration. You can read our previous articles at THIS LINK.
ready for installation (Bottom Left). The new engine is a Packard-built Rolls-Royce V-1650-7 Merlin (Bottom Right).
“The restoration of Shillelagh, a P-51B Mustang, represents far more than the rebuilding of a historic aircraft,” said Eric Trueblood, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for AirCorps Aviation. “It is an opportunity to reconnect with history by incorporating an extraordinary collection of original North American Aviation components into a flying memorial honoring the men of the 354th Fighter Group.”
(Image credit: AirCorps Aviation)
Although the original airframe suffered catastrophic damage after Maj. John C. Dahlberg was shot down in 1944 and remained buried for decades, the current restoration seeks to preserve its legacy. By incorporating authentic 1940s North American Aviation components wherever possible, AirCorps Aviation has preserved not only the airplane’s history but also the craftsmanship of the wartime workers who built these legendary fighters as part of America’s “Arsenal of Democracy.”
“The project combines original, period-correct assemblies with modern restoration techniques to overcome the limitations of the excavated wreckage,” Trueblood continued. “Rather than constructing a replica, the team is creating a bridge across time, honoring both the 95 combat missions flown by Shillelagh and the industrial effort that helped secure Allied victory during World War II.” Each restored component serves as a tangible connection to the people who designed, built, maintained, and flew these remarkable aircraft. The objective extends beyond simply returning another Mustang to the air—it is about preserving an important chapter of aviation history for future generations.
Among the original North American Aviation components incorporated into the restoration are: An original P-51 engine mount, restored P-51 landing gear, a P-51 rudder retaining its original North American skin, an original P-51C windscreen, a complete original P-51 scoop assembly, and a P-51 elevator retaining its original North American identification tag.
(Image credit: AirCorps Aviation)
Visitors to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh can see Shillelagh on display throughout the week in the Warbirds area, where the aircraft stands as one of the finest examples of historic aircraft restoration currently flying. For more information about AirCorps Aviation, visit www.aircorpsaviation.com.
