A few weeks ago, Thom Richard announced the sale of his cherished P-40 Warhawk, American Dream. At the time of the announcement, the buyer was not disclosed. However, we can now confirm that this historic combat veteran has been acquired by the Mid-America Flight Museum, located in Mt. Pleasant, TX.
The Mid-America Flight Museum boasts one of the most diverse and unique collections of vintage aircraft in the world, with each plane meticulously maintained in airworthy condition. American Dream has found an ideal new home, where it will be well cared for and appreciated.
This particular aircraft, a Curtiss P-40N Warhawk (serial number 42-104977), carries a remarkable combat history. It was flown by then-1st Lt. Joel Dixon Thorvaldson during WWII. He named the fighter *Punkins* in honor of his wife and flew it with the 8th Fighter Squadron, part of the 49th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, in the skies over New Guinea. The aircraft also bore the nickname *Mr. Five by Five* on its cowling, likely referring to the squadron’s number, ’55.’ With three confirmed victories, this Warhawk was ultimately shot down by a Japanese A6M Zero on September 13, 1943, near Finschafen, New Guinea.
Despite the aircraft sustaining severe engine damage and catching fire, Thorvaldson managed to belly-land it in a kunai grass field and survived. Stranded in enemy territory, he ingeniously used a flare gun to burn a path through the dense grass to reach a nearby river. There, an Allied aircraft dropped him an inflatable raft, which Thorvaldson used to navigate to safety, joining Australian forces after five harrowing days. He survived the war and went on to have a long military career, passing away in 2014.
The wreckage of his P-40 remained untouched until 2005, when an Australian warbird recovery expert salvaged what was left. Another Australian, Mike Spaulding, acquired the remains and began a restoration project. Precision Aerospace in Wangaratta completed the restoration, and the P-40N flew again on September 12, 2008, initially painted in Royal Air Force (RAF) colors. Unfortunately, a gear collapse in August 2008 temporarily grounded the plane. Spaulding later sold the aircraft to American John Davis in 2014. Under Davis’ ownership, the aircraft was converted into a dual-control Warhawk, and it flew again on May 10, 2016, in Colorado.
American Dream is now one of the rare few P-40Ns equipped with dual controls, much like the factory-produced TP-40Ns. While P-40s are already scarce, original TP-40s are even rarer. Of the three surviving examples, only one, Kermit Weeks’ TP-40N (serial number 44-47923), retains its original dual-control configuration.
We extend our gratitude to Thom Richard for showcasing this magnificent aircraft during recent airshow seasons and eagerly anticipate seeing *American Dream* fly with the Mid-America Flight Museum for many more years to come. For more information about the museum, visit www.midamericaflightmuseum.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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