Aircraft Being Restored At AirCorps Aviation In Minnesota

There's another airworthy P-51 Mustang flying, thanks to the efforts of AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji, MN. The P-51C "Lope's Hope 3rd" recently flew for the first time following restoration on October 16. The airplane last flew in 1946.

The aircraft belongs to the Texas Flying Legends Museum, which counts two other P-51s in its collection. According to the museum website, the original Lope’s Hope 3rd was flown by Lt. Donald Lopez.  Donald and Lope's Hope 3rd served in the China-Burma-India theater with the 14th Air Force, 23rd Fighter Group, 75th Squadron.  The 23rd Fighter Group was the descendent of the famous American Volunteer Group or Flying Tigers after the US entered the war.

Warbirds News reports that the restoration project has taken three years, and marks the third "highly-authentic" Mustang restoration to be completed by AirCorps since 2011.

The original Lope's Hope 3rd was 42-103585, and this restoration is based on P-51C 43-24907, according to the report. The Texas Flying Legends Museum decided to restore the Mustang suing Lt. Lopez' color scheme to honor his service during WWII and after, as well as his commitment to the aviation community as Deputy Director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.

(Image by John LaTourelle for AirCorps Aviation)

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