‘Thunderbird’ Is the Most Famous P-51 You’ve Never Seen

It’s a vintage Mustang, and it was flown by famous pilots, too.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 05:47 PM ET

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The P-51C, 'Thunderbird.' [Credit: Stephen Yeates]

Key Takeaways:

The P-51C Thunderbird completed a 24-year restoration, culminating in its EAA AirVenture debut after more than 50 years.
Initially acquired as parts by Warren Pietsch in 1999, the meticulous restoration of the historic aircraft was finalized by AirCorps Aviation.
The plane boasts a rich history, having been flown by actor Jimmy Stewart, winning the 1949 Bendix Trophy, and setting records while owned by aviation pioneer Jacqueline Cochran.
The restored Thunderbird is now housed at the Dakota Territory Air Museum.

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It is often said you do not actually own an airplane, you are merely its caretaker for a given amount of time. This is especially true of older aircraft, the so-called vintage machines that come into your life as a pile of parts and are slowly and painstakingly restored to their former glory.

The P-51C known as Thunderbird is one of these airplanes. Thunderbird made its EAA AirVenture debut this year, following a 24-year restoration.