Auction Proceeds Support Youth And Aviation

The one-of-a-kind “Red Tails” edition 2013 Ford Mustang developed by the design and engineering teams at Ford Motor Company sold for $370,000 at the Gathering of Eagles charity auction Thursday evening. The auction was held during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2012. James Slattery of San Diego, CA. was the winning bidder.

All proceeds from the car donation and sale will benefit the EAA Young Eagles organization, which has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.6 million young people since 1992 while helping inspire and motivate the next generation of leaders, aviators and innovators.

The “Red Tails” edition joins four other one-of-a-kind Mustangs created by the Ford design and engineering teams for the EAA Young Eagles Auction in recent years, each generating excitement among aviation and automotive enthusiasts alike. Ford vehicles sold at EAA AirVenture auction events have collectively raised more than $2 million to support Young Eagles.

Ford is the exclusive automotive partner of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The weeklong event concludes Sunday, July 29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, WI. “The perseverance and excellence displayed by the Tuskegee Airmen are qualities we also celebrate at Ford,” said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of Ford’s board of directors. “With this year’s beautiful ‘Red Tails’ Mustang, we’ve captured the recognizable symbols in honor of their important role in our history, and paired it with the innovation our Ford design and engineering teams build into all of our products.
 
The Ford “Red Tails” Mustang celebrates and commemorates the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen, comprised of the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group, during World War II. This courageous collection of pilots was the United States’ first African American military airmen. Known for the red tails of their planes, the Tuskegee Airmen saw combat in more than 1,500 missions in World War II.

“Ford is a longtime, committed partner of EAA and AirVenture, bringing value to those who make Oshkosh the pinnacle of their aviation year,” said Rod Hightower, EAA president and CEO. “These specialty vehicles allow EAA to provide support to its valuable programs and dedicated members in helping us grow the next generation of aviators.”

FMI: www.FordAirventure.com.