The aircraft is one of only two existing PT-17s that were used as Tuskegee Airmen trainers during World War II, according to museum officials.
aviation museums
C-46 Tinker Belle finds new home
The city of Monroe, North Carolina, has sold its C-46, “The Tinker Belle,” to the non-profit Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Video captures first flight of Bataan after restoration
After eight years of restoration, the Lockheed C-121A Constellation N422NA made its first flight on June 20, 2023. Named “Bataan,” the Connie was used as a personal transport by General Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War.
Air Power History Tour visits Air Force museum for July 4th
The public is invited to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, to see three World War II-era aircraft flown by the Commemorative Air Force: The B-29 Superfortress “FiFi,” B-24 Liberator “Diamond Lil,” and a T-6 Texan, the legendary trainer of World War II.
Hot Rods on the Tarmac
To complement the Lyon Air Museum’s newest exhibit, Santa Ana Drags and Beyond: America’s First Official Drag Strip, the museum will host Hot Rods on the Tarmac July 22, 2023.
A famed Mustang takes to the air again
The P-51C “Thunderbird,” one of the most recognizable Mustangs from the post-war era, recently had its first flight after its restoration. Warren Pietsch, a founding board member of the Dakota Territory Air Museum and a famed warbird pilot, hired AirCorps Aviation to complete the restoration of his P-51C. Pilot Bernie Vasquez returned the 1949 Bendix race winner to the air in early June 2023.
Car show at air museum to benefit veterans
All proceeds from the show will be donated to the Fargo Air Museum’s veterans program to provide events, community, and support to veterans in the Fargo Moorhead area. This is the third year for the charitable car show at the museum, officials noted.
Picture of the Day: Bomber readiness
Cheryl Goodwin submitted this photo and note: “A beautiful May morning at the Commemorative Air Force Museum in Mesa, Arizona, as the Bomber Squadron prepares to leave on their summer tour. The Stearman takes center stage as the B-25 “Maid in the Shade” taxies out to depart and the B-17 “Sentimental Journey” sits in the background. Due to the AD currently issued on the B-17s, she didn’t depart this day. However, we were able to have an educational static tour of her.”
Video: First flight after restoration
After eight years of restoration, the only Republic-built “Razorback” variant of the P-47 Thunderbolt has its first test flight in May 2023. Owned by the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, North Dakota, the plane was restored by AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji, Minnesota.