Seventy-six years ago today, on March 29, 1949, the P-51C Mustang Thunderbird set a new transcontinental speed record in the United States. Flown by former Army Major Joseph C. De Bona, Thunderbird departed Lockheed Air Terminal in Burbank, California, at approximately 6:20 AM. Over the next five hours, the cobalt-blue Mustang carved a path into the record books, cruising at 30,000 feet and averaging an astonishing 490.625 miles per hour.
After covering 2,453.805 statute miles, Thunderbird touched down at LaGuardia Airport in New York City at approximately 2:20 PM. The mission had been a success, though not without its challenges. During the flight, the P-51C suffered a cracked canopy, an oxygen system failure, loss of oil pressure, and had just seven minutes’ worth of fuel remaining upon arrival. Despite these obstacles, De Bona and Thunderbird had cemented their place in aviation history.
Today, the legendary P-51C N5528N continues to soar. Restored to airworthy condition by AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji, Minnesota, Thunderbird was given a second lease on life. After its record-breaking feat, the aircraft went on to be owned and flown by Hollywood icon and World War II pilot Jimmy Stewart. Later, it was piloted by trailblazing aviator Jackie Cochran, the famed Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) member and multiple aviation record-holder.
Throughout the 1950s, Thunderbird became a familiar sight at air races, thrilling spectators and pilots alike. Unfortunately, in 1955, the aircraft was damaged in a crash due to a landing gear failure. Decades later, after an extensive restoration effort, Thunderbird emerged as an Oshkosh award-winning Mustang. Today, it remains a flying tribute to the golden era of air racing and record-breaking flights, gracing the skies once more.
Keep looking after these old ladies the first aircraft I flew was a DH 82 tiger moth
A beautiful war bird, but I prefer the bubble or tear drop canopy.