AirCorps Aviation – World Warbird News

Dakota Air Territory Museum’s P-47D Thunderbolt 42-27609 flies again

World Warbird News — Fri, 26 May 2023 09:14:54 +0000

P-47D Thunderbolt 42-27609 during its first flight with Bernie Vasquez at the controls. (Photo courtesy Ben Redman via AirCorps Aviation)

Following a lengthy restoration period by AirCorps Aviation, Republic P-47D-23-RA Thunderbolt serial number 42-27609 took to the skies again on 16 May 2023 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The first flight was a success and was flown by Bernie Vasquez, with Warren Pietsch and Ben Redman flying chase in P-51D Mustang “Miss Kitty III”.

The aircraft belongs to the Dakota Territory Air Museum and will carry the markings of the P-47D Thunderbolt “Bonnie” flown by Major Bill Dunham, commanding officer of the 460th Fighter Squadron in the Philippines in 1944.

Major Bill Dunham’s P-47D “Bonnie” of the 460th Fighter Squadron in 1944. (Photo USAF)

The exact history of 42-27609 is unknown, but it is believed it served either with the 35th or the 348th Fighter Group in the South-West Pacific. It was delivered to Australia on 8 May 1944 and was abandonedon Dobodura airfield in Papua New Guinea later that year, on 18 September.

More photos and information available here:

We would like to thank Ben Redman and the team at AirCorps Aviation for the photo and footage used to illustrate this article.

First post-restoration flight for P-51C Mustang “Lope’s Hope 3rd”

World Warbird News — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 10:10:03 +0000

https://www.facebook.com/aircorpsaviation/videos/1836366976404213/

The P-51C-10-NT Mustang “Lope’s Hope 3rd” made its first post-restoration flight on October 17 after being restored by AirCorps Aviation. The flight was made with pilot Warren Pietsch at the controls. The aircraft, serial number 43-24907, was used for training during World War II and did not see combat. It carries the colours of s/n 42-103585 “Lope’s Hope 3rd” flown by 5-victory ace Lt. Donald Lopez of the 23rd Fighter Group, 75th Fighter Squadron.

After the war Lopez became a test pilot and later was deputy director of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum until his passing in 2008.

https://www.facebook.com/aircorpsaviation/videos/1836366866404224/

Lt Donald Lopez’s P-51C “Lope’s Hope 3rd” in September 1944. Profile created by Gaëtan Marie/Bravo Bravo Aviation for AirCorps Aviation.

“Tuskegee Airmen” P-51C flies again

World Warbird News — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 11:07:18 +0000

The P-51C “Tuskegee Airmen” operated by the CAF Red Tail Squadron was damaged eight months ago in a landing accident in Dallas, TX. The aircraft was taken to AirCorps Aviation for repairs and flew again on December 1st with Doug Rozendaal at the controls.Rozeendaal reported that “there were no issues with the test flight and the aircraft flew great”.

AirCorps Aviation launches AirCorps Library, an online warbird manuals and blueprints catalog

World Warbird News — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 17:21:09 +0000

AirCorps Aviation recently launched AirCorps Library, an online library/catalog of over 500,000 warbird and legacy aircraft blueprints and manuals which can be accessed and printed anywhere in high definition. The catalog can be searched by part number or description.

AirCorps Aviation’s goal is to provide “an affordable membership to share resources that will help promote, preserve, and keep WWII and legacy aircraft safely flying through the 21st century.” By building a community around the library, AA hopes to increase and develop the catalog in the future.

The service comes at an affordable price os $25 to $50, depending on the selected subscription (based on groups of aircraft). A free one-day trial is available for those who would like to try the catalog before subscribing. Although AirCorps Library is not the first project of its kind, it certainly is the largest and most complete, and is backed by AirCorps Aviation’s reputation and recognized reputation in warbird restorations.