As regular readers will remember, at time of writing, AirCorps Aviation was in the final stages of completing the magnificent restoration of a rare, razorback Republic P-47D Thunderbolt for the Dakota Territory Air Museum. The fighter is one of several, world-class efforts which the now-famed restoration shop in Bemidji, Minnesota has rolled out of its doors over the past decade or so. Not an organization to rest on its laurels, AirCorps is already working hard on a number of other projects, one of which they began in mid-2021 for the Wings of the North Air Museum in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. This latest project is based around the wreck of a rare, early-model Mustang, P-51B 42-106602, nicknamed Shillelagh, which has an extensive combat history. Two of those who flew the Mustang also have interesting histories: David O’Hara, Shillelagh’s regular pilot (who also named her) and Kenneth H. Dahlberg, the triple-ace and former Prisoner Of War who was at the controls on the fighter’
As most readers will be well aware, AirCorps Aviation has completed numerous world-class aircraft restorations over the past decade or so at their now-famed workshop in Bemidji, Minnesota. Not an organization to rest on its laurels, AirCorps is working hard on a number of fascinating projects at present, one of which they started in mid-2021 for the Wings of the North Air Museum in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. This particular effort is based around the mortal remains of a rare, early-model Mustang with an extensive combat history, this being P-51B 42-106602 nicknamed Shillelagh. Two of those who flew the Mustang also have interesting histories: David O’Hara, Shillelagh’s regular pilot (who named her) and Kenneth H. Dahlberg, the triple-ace and former Prisoner Of War who was at the controls on the fighter’s final mission. As already noted, Shillelagh’s rebuild began in earnest at AirCorps Aviation during 2021, and much has taken place in the interim. So without further ado, he
Over the past several years, aviation historian Chuck Cravens has brought us regular updates regarding ongoing restoration projects at AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji, Minnesota. Many of the aircraft involved have been for the fabulous Dakota Territory Air Museum, and such is the case for this particular story about the resurrection of a long-lost, legendary racing Mustang which dates to the post-war Cleveland National Air Races. The original constructors of this race plane built the airframe up from the components of three different Mustangs, but did not record their serial numbers. They listed it as a P-51C with the FAA, with the registration being N5528N. During her racing career, the Mustang bore the names Thunderbird, and later, Mr.Alex, so with the lack of a definitive airframe serial number, we will refer to it henceforth simply as Thunderbird/Mr.Alex. For more details on the airframe's history, please see Chuck Craven's fascinating first piece on the aircraft HERE. Th
Restoration of the Dakota Territory Air Museum’s P-47D Thunderbolt 42-27609 is progressing well at AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji, Minnesota, as Chuck Cravens' November/December, 2021 report reveals. We thought our readers would love to catch up on the latest details so, without further ado, here goes!
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