The iconic World War II CAF’s Mustang will bring history alive across America this summer. The tour started with the Mid-South, on to Florida, up the East Coast, then it will hit the Central U.S. With 20 locations, chances are that Gunfighter is bound to have a stop close to you!
Gunfighter is one of the world’s most famous P-51s, having appeared on the airshow circuit and providing rides for over 35 years. The aircraft is a P-51 “D” model, serial number 44-73264. Of the approximately 15,000 P-51s produced in WWII, over 8,000 were “D” models. Today, only about 150 airworthy examples of Mustangs exist worldwide in museums, flying, or under restoration.
For complete information, and to book your ride, visit the group’s website at www.p51gunfighter.com Here’s the complete list of stops:
Huntsville, AL Apr 29-May1
Columbus, GA May 6-8
Port Orange, FL and Daytona Beach May 9-19
Brunswick, GA May 20-22
Agusta, GA May 27-30
Dayton-Springfield OH June 17-19
Cincinnati, OH June 24-26
Fort Wayne, IN July 1-4
Terre Haute, IN July 5-14
Chicago/ Lewis University July 15-17
Dubuque IA Jul 20-24
Oshkosh, WI Jul 24-31
Alpena, MI Aug 5-7
Saginaw, MI Aug 12-14
Toledo, OH Aug 19-21
Mansfield, OH Aug 26-28
Niagara Falls, NY Sep 2-5
San Marcos, TX Sep 30-Oct 2
Duncan, OK Oct 7-9
Dallas, TX Nov 10-13
In addition to the locations above, rides are available from Great Plains Wing CAF in Council Bluffs, IA.
Gunfighter was built in the Inglewood, California North American plant and accepted into the USAAF in March 1945. That month, it was shipped to England, where it was assigned to the famous ‘Mighty Eighth’ Air Force. In July of 1945, after the war ended in Europe, it was returned to the U.S. and assigned to Olmstead Field in Pennsylvania. In 1947 it was transferred to the Air National Guard and it thereafter served with units in Wyoming, New Mexico, Illinois, and Kentucky. In 1956 it was declared surplus and sold on the civilian market.
Today, Gunfighter is operated by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). The CAF is the largest operator of Historic Aircraft in the world with 160 aircraft and over 9,000 members. Gunfighter is restored in the colors of the 343rd Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, USAAF. The 55th Fighter Group was the first American Air Corp unit to become operational in Europe, the first to fly over Berlin, and was one of the units that provided top cover over the Invasion Beaches at Normandy on “D-Day”, June 6th, 1944.
Over the past 35 years, the P-51 Mustang Gunfighter left its mark in the hearts and minds of countless people who enjoyed flight experiences in the iconic World War Two fighter. We certainly look forward of 35 more years of Gunfighter’s flying! For more information about the airplane, its crew, and this CAF unit, visit www.p51gunfighter.com
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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