Plane & Pilot Midwest LSA Expo Features B-25 Mitchell and P-51D Mustang Warbirds

Carmelo Turdo, Mark Nankivil, Fred Harl, Leo Cachat

The Plane & Pilot Midwest LSA Expo, held at Mount Vernon Outland Airport in central Illinois last weekend, featured B-25 Mitchell and P-51D Mustang warbirds from the Commemorative Air Force.  The B-25J "MAID in the SHADE" came off the Kansas City North American Aviation production line in 1944 flew 15 combat missions over Italy from Corsica by the 319th Bomb Group.  It flew support mission for the U.S. Air Force until 1958, and after serving various owners, was acquired in poor condition by the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in 1981.  Aircraft restoration was completed in 2008, and it now tours the country to allow another generation to experience flight in the legendary B-25.

The P-51D Mustang known as "Red Nose" was produced by the Inglewood, CA North American Aviation factory in 1945 and based in Florida as World War II drew to a close.  It was transferred to Canada in 1951 where it served until 1956 when it was returned the U.S. and became the first official aircraft adopted by the Confederate Air Force in 1957 (later incorporated in 1977).  The aircraft is now flown by the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force out of Peachtree City, GA.

The Aero Experience team captured some great photos of these warbirds during their appearance at the Plane & Pilot Midwest LSA Expo Saturday: