AirCorps Aviation in Minnesota has announced that they are assembling the P-51C "Thunderbird" N5528N for owner Warren Pietsch. The historic 1949 Bendix race winner will restored to its bright blue racing livery. Famed actor and pilot Jimmy Stewart funded his friend Joe DeBona to build up and race this highback P-51 Mustang. DeBona won the Bentix at a speed of 470 MPH!
For more on racing Mustangs and Thunderbird read the article at This Day In Aviation here.
We highly recommend the book Wet Wings and Drop Tanks for more history and photos on the transcontinental air races.
