Following the overwhelmingly positive response to last year’s in-depth discussion, as featured in Vintage Aviation News’s 2024 coverage of the inaugural event, AirCorps Aviation is proud to bring back “Wrenching on Warbirds” for a second year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. This unique technical forum focuses on the maintenance and restoration of the iconic North American P-51 Mustang and provides a rare platform for those who work behind the scenes—restorers, mechanics, and engineers—to share their experiences and expertise.
Unlike many aviation panels that focus on the operational side of flying warbirds, Wrenching on Warbirds is centered entirely around the practical and often complex realities of keeping Mustangs in the air. It’s a session built for professionals and serious enthusiasts who want to engage with the nuts-and-bolts challenges of working on vintage fighters, diving deep into technical topics that don’t often get airtime elsewhere. The 2025 event will be held on Wednesday, July 23rd at 7:30 a.m. Those interested in participating can contact Ester Aube.
This year’s panel brings together some of the most experienced names in the warbird restoration community. Returning to the stage are Ashley Ezell of American Aero Services, Paul Draper from Roush Aviation, Steve Hinton Jr. of Fighter Rebuilders, and Mark Tisler representing AirCorps Aviation. Together, they will tackle a fresh set of highly specific P-51 maintenance topics including Lord mount inspections, dynamic propeller balancing, prop dome seal issues, and the proper setup and spacing of outer spade door bushings, among other in-the-field concerns.
Whether you maintain a flying Mustang, are restoring one from the ground up, or simply want to learn more about the intricate systems that make these aircraft tick, Wrenching on Warbirds is an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from the experts. Attendees can expect a candid, highly focused session with real-world insights and time for peer networking—an ideal way to build connections within the warbird maintenance and restoration community. To read about last year’s session and get a preview of the event’s spirit, check out the 2024 recap on Vintage Aviation News: AirCorps Aviation’s P-51 Mustang Maintenance Discussion
