The End of the Show’: P-40 ‘American Dream’ Changes Hands

Warbird pilot Thom Richard, owner of Warbird Adventures, confirmed today that his beloved Curtiss P-40 Warhawk “American Dream” has been sold. The aircraft is now in the care of a new, highly capable and deserving owner. The details of the acquisition and future plans for this historic warbird will be announced by the new owners in due time.

Richard shared a heartfelt farewell message on his Facebook page:

“Sharing our treasured Curtiss P-40 Warhawk ‘American Dream’ with all of you has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I wish it could go on forever. However, all good things must come to an end. It’s been said that you never really own a warbird—you only take care of it for a while. I’ve always dreamed of being the caretaker of a WWII fighter, especially the P-40, which is the most fun and best handling of them all. Over the years, it’s been a daunting responsibility, but it turned into an irreplaceable adventure. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and will forever treasure the memories with everyone involved.

But don’t think you’ll get rid of me that easily! I’ll still be flying various warbirds for other operators on the airshow circuit for many years to come, I hope. Keeping WWII history alive by flying these national treasures is my passion and calling. On another note, we have something exciting in the works that we can’t wait to share with you soon. Stay tuned for the announcement!

Thank you for all your support, interest, and enthusiasm over the years in keeping the ‘American Dream’ alive. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Yours in Warbirds, Thom Richard

The aircraft, a Curtiss P-40N Warhawk (serial number 42-104977), has a rich combat history. Then-1st Lt. Joel Dixon Thorvaldson flew the fighter, named Punkins in honor of his wife, with the 8th Fighter Squadron’s Blacksheep of the 49th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, over New Guinea during WWII. The aircraft also bore the name Mr. Five by Five on its cowling, likely due to its squadron number, ’55.’ With three confirmed kills, this Warhawk was shot down by a Japanese A6M Zero on September 13, 1943, near Finschafen, New Guinea.

Despite sustaining engine damage and catching fire, Thorvaldson belly-landed the plane in a kunai grass field and survived. Marooned in enemy territory, he used a flare gun to burn a path to a nearby river, where a circling Allied aircraft dropped him an inflatable life raft. Thorvaldson navigated to Australian forces over five days. He survived the war and continued his Air Force career, passing away in 2014.

Although Thorvaldson made it out, the wreck of his P-40 remained behind until 2005 when an Australian warbird recovery expert salvaged its remains. Mike Spaulding, another Australian, acquired what was left of the aircraft and incorporated its identity into a restoration project completed by Precision Aerospace in Wangaratta. The P-40N flew again for the first time on September 12, 2008, initially marked as an RAF example. However, the Warhawk suffered a gear collapse soon after, in August 2008. Spaulding later sold the aircraft to American John Davis in 2014, who had it converted to dual control, with the fighter flying again in Colorado on May 10, 2016.

Now a dual-control P-40N Warhawk, American Dream is one of the rare few offering this configuration, similar to the original factory-produced TP-40Ns. P-40s are scarce enough, but original TP-40s are even rarer, with only one of three survivors (Kermit Weeks’ TP-40N 44-47923) still retaining the original dual control setup. We thank Thom Richard for showcasing this beautiful aircraft over the past airshow seasons and wish him the best in his future endeavors. For more information about Warbird Adventures and its warbird training programs, visit www.warbirdadventures.com

Moreno Aguiari

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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