P-51C Mustang "Tuskegee Airmen" Performs at Fair St. Louis Special Needs Airshow

By The Aero Experience Team

The Fair St. Louis Airshow lineup featured a truly historic aircraft - the North American P-51C Mustang named Tuskegee Airmen. The rare P-51C model is painted to represent the aircraft flown by the racially segregated 332nd Fighter Group, known as the "Red Tails." The aircraft belongs to the Commemorative Air Force's Minnesota Wing, and it participates in airshows across the country each season. The aircraft, flown by Bill Shepard, arrived Friday morning and was featured in the Special Needs Airshow at St. Louis Downtown Airport on Saturday.  Here are some views of the aircraft upon its arrival and during the airshow.

       

Red Tails Art Exhibit Opens at Jefferson Barracks Heritage Foundation

By Carmelo Turdo

The Jefferson Barracks Heritage Foundation opened an art exhibit this weekend honoring the service of the Tuskegee Airmen, the famous "Red Tails" of World War II.  The artist, Mr. William Curtis, was on hand to explain the images on the various panels that tell the story of the African-American 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group.  Several Tuskegee Airmen were present for the exhibit opening day: Captain Christopher Newman, Lt. Everett Bratcher, and Clara White, wife of the late Hugh J. White.  In addition to the art exhibit, memorabilia from Mr. Myron Lane was on display, along with several large models and uniform items on loan from the Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum.  The exhibit will be at the Foundation Museum through November.  



 



Front: Clara White, Lt. Everett Bratcher; Back: Myron Lane, William Curtis (artist), Capt. Christopher Newman