The Gathering of Mustangs & Legends Confirms 109 P-51s
04-Aug-2007
By Karen Di Piazza

The sound of freedom is once more, as 109 P-51 Mustang fighter planes will roar overhead during The Gathering of Mustangs & Legends--The Final Roundup, Sept. 27-30, at Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK), in Columbus, Ohio. LCK, originally Lockbourne Army Air Base, became home to the Tuskegee Airmen after World War II. LCK's namesake, Eddie Rickenbacker, was the leading American fighter pilot of World War I.
Attendees will be permitted to photograph aircraft, but perhaps the rarest treat of all will be the opportunity to meet nearly 50 of the aces, heroes and legends who flew the P-51 Mustang. To name a few, Gen. Chuck Yeager, Lt. Col. Lee Archer and Maj. Gen. Donald Strait will be mingling with P-51 aircraft with names such as "Moonbeam McSwine," "Big Beautiful Doll" and the "Flying Dutchman." During the four-day Mustang event http://www.gml2007.com/ , other WWII fighters and bombers along with top civilian air show performers will attend. On Sept. 29-30, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will take to the sky performing precision aerial maneuvers and exhibiting the capabilities of modern high-performance aircraft.

"When you hear the [Rolls-Royce] Merlin engines of a P-51 roll overhead you know you're hearing a piece of history," says Jim Hagedorn, chairman and CEO of Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., a sponsor of the event. Hagedorn is bringing his restored P-51D, "Old Crow."

Lee Lauderback, president of Stallion 51 Corp., who is presenting the event, will bring his two P-51Ds, "Crazy Horse" and "Crazy Horse 2." Kermit Weeks is bringing his P-51D, "Cripes a Mighty 3rd" and his P-51C, "Ina the Macon Belle." Valhalla Aviation Inc.'s "Kiss Me Kate," which reportedly was named by actor/pilot Tom Cruise, when he declared his love for then fiancée Katie Holmes.

Nearly 15,868 P-51s were originally built, yet only about 130 remain in flying condition. The remaining planes are privately owned and cared for--restored to their original glory.

North American Aviation, manufacturer of the P-51 Mustang, was originally a long-range, single-engine fighter plane that entered service with Allied air forces in the middle years of WWII, becoming one of the most successful and recognizable aircraft in history. Flying most of its wartime missions as a bomber escort in raids over Germany, the P-51 helped to ensure Allied air superiority from early 1944. The aircraft saw service against the Japanese in the Pacific War and began the Korean War as the United Nations' main fighter.

After WWII, Mustangs were converted for civilian use and entered the world of air racing. In the mid-sixties, the Ford Motor Co. adopted the Mustang's monumental reputation and named a coupe after the fighter aircraft.

Yup, 109, this will be ultimate Mustang photo opportunity/experience.

I would like to but unfortunately I have to work

But I wish you a lot of fun there and I hope to see some good pictures here.

Christophe,
You're the man, flying all the way for the show. Good luck with everything. Looking forward to the fine pics... Enjoy your visit to the States.

Any photo's of this event yet???

Wow, that's a lot of photos Christophe. Looking forward to seeing the photos.

Absolutely, a review would be great.

Sure looks like you had the time of your life Christophe. Great job on the article too. Looking forward to the rest of the photos.