Red Tail "By Request"

P-51C-10-NT #42-103645 last flew with the USAAF in October 1945. It was later sold to a trade school before being recuperated by the Commemorative Air Force in 1965. Its restoration was planned but only really started in the late 90's. It flew again for the first time in May 2001. In May 2004, the plane crashed, killing Don Hinz. Despite heavy damage, it was decided to restore it to flying status. In 2009, the aircraft flew again.

This aircraft belongs tothe Red Tail Project, whose goal is to tell the story of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. It is painted in the colours of Col. B.O. Davis' plane, named after the fact that white pilots requested the Tuskegee airmen as escort.

The colors represent the four fighter squadrons in the 332nd Group. The red and yellow cowling represents the 302nd Fighter Squadron. The A on the side represents the 99th Fighter Squadron. The yellow banding on the wings represents the 300th Fighter Squadron. The red fins on the wings represents the 100th Fighter Squadron.




