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P-51 "Gunfighter"
Gunfighter has been offering ride flights and thrilling crowds at airshows for over 40 years. Its mission is to honor the sacrifices of those who have served and inspire the next generation of aviators. The aircraft is a P-51 D Model Mustang, serial number 44-73264. Of the approximately 15,000 P-51s produced during WWII, over 8,000 were D models. Today, only about 150 airworthy examples of Mustangs exist world-wide in museums, flying or under restoration.
History of "Gunfighter"
Gunfighter has been offering ride flights and thrilling crowds at airshows for over 40 years. Its mission is to honor the sacrifices of those who have served and inspire the next generation of aviators. The aircraft is a P-51 D Model Mustang, serial number 44-73264. Of the approximately 15,000 P-51s produced during WWII, over 8,000 were D models. Today, only about 150 airworthy examples of Mustangs exist world-wide in museums, flying or under restoration.
Gunfighter was built in Inglewood, California at the North American plant and was accepted into the USAAF in March, 1945. That month, it was shipped to England where it was assigned to the famous “Mighty Eighth” Air Force. In July of 1945, after the War ended in Europe, it was returned to the U.S. and assigned to Olmstead Field in Pennsylvania. In 1947, it was transferred to the Air National Guard, and it thereafter served with units in Wyoming, New Mexico, Illinois and Kentucky. In 1956, it was declared surplus and sold on the civilian market.
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​​​Today, Gunfighter is operated by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). The CAF is the largest operator of historic aircraft in the world with more than 175 aircraft and over 13,000 members. Gunfighter is restored in the colors of the 343rd Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, USAAF. The 55th Fighter Group was the first American Air Corp unit to become operational in Europe. It was the first group to fly over Berlin and was one of the units that provided cover for the invasion of Normandy on June 6th, 1944.
Gunfighter is powered by a Packard-built Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. It is rated at 1,490 HP and has a displacement of 1,650 cubic inches. The top speed is over 400 mph and its ceiling is 41,000 feet. Gunfighter has been modified to include a second seat where the original radio gear and fuselage fuel tank were located. It’s the perfect vantage point to enjoy the ride of a lifetime.
About the Commemorative Air Force
Collecting and flying warbirds for over half a century, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is the largest flying museum in the world. The CAF is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to honoring American military aviation history through flight, exhibition and remembrance. The CAF's fleet of historic aircraft recreate, remind and reinforce the lessons learned from the defining moments in American Aviation history. The CAF has approximately 13,000 members and a fleet of over 175 airplanes assigned to 80 units across the country. These units, comprised of CAF volunteer members, restore and operate the planes which are viewed by more than 10 million spectators annually. Visit www.commemorativeairforce.org for more information.
