GoFundMe Campaign Has Raised $17K, But Has A Long Way To go

The team working to restore Precious Metal ... a highly-modified P-51 that has been a fixture at the Reno Air Races ... is working diligently to get the airplane back in flying condition after a fire on the ground en route to Reno this year badly damaged the airplane.

But the project is expensive, and the all-volunteer team does not have the money it will take to restore the "people's race" to airworthy condition for next year's races on their own.

As we have reported in recent weeks, the team has turned to crowdfunding in an effort to engage the flying community in the restoration effort. On the team's "GoFundMe" page, the team is offering fans "one square inch on our new paint job in exchange for a $50 contribution. A picture of you, you friends, family, pet or anything else you'd like (within decency limits) to print on the aircraft in a fan based mosaic that we'll race around the course again in the World's Fastest Motor Sport. Unlimited Pylon Air Racing! No limit as to how many square inches you'd like to obtain. We'll make your picture or logo any size you want!"

But the effort is going slow. In 24 days, the campaign has raised only a little over $17,000 towards their $500,000 goal.

So if you're an air race fan, and would like to see this bird flying again, visit the GoFundMe site and drop a few sheckles in the hat. Meanwhile, at the FMI link below, you can see the progress being made on the airplane. According to the information posted on the YouTube page; "Operation "PM rescue" has commenced! Her dedicated crew of
volunteers spent three days taking her apart and getting her ready
to come home. This is a time lapse of the last two days."

(Image from YouTube video)

FMI: Video, GoFundMe