Retired Navy Commander Don Hinz Founded The Red Tail Project

A fully restored P-51C has been moved into its new permanent home ... a hangar at the CAF Red Tail Squadron's headquarters in South Saint Paul, MN.

Restoration of the airplane, aptly named 'Tuskegee Airmen', was the dream of Don Hinz, a retired Navy Commander who had been particularly intrigued by the P-51C Razorback Z, the signature aircraft of the storied Tuskegee Airmen, according to a story posted on the official blog of the Red Tail Squadron. Hinz was fatally injured in 2004 when the airplane he had so meticulously restored suffered an engine malfunction at an air show and impacted terrain.

Now, 'Tuskegee Airmen' is again completely restored to flying condition, and it will be kept in the Hinz Family Hangar. “I think for us, storing Tuskegee Airmen in the family hangar is our way of supporting what is now the Red Tail Squadron,” said Don's son Ben Hinz. “We are maintaining a connection with the memories of the hangar and ultimately of my dad.”

(P-51C 'Tuskegee Airmen' pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.redtail.org