Amazing Project Has Taken The Better Part Of 3 Years To Build

Gino Lucci, owner of Round Engine Aero, showed off his family's impressive motorhome at AirVenture 2021: The Fabulous Flamingo. The mashup of motorhome and vintage warbird is the result of years of careful planning, diligent work, and talented fabrication to create this dream vehicle. The fuselage was taken from a junked 1943 Douglas F4D that ended its Navy service after a run-in with a tornado.

The tremendous level of work entailed by the project has taken the better part of 3 years to build a livable, functional motorhome. The Flamingo has a bevy of aeronautical equipment within, from real plane sinks, the original intercom, to the overhead switch panels. Inside, there’s space for a family room, kitchen, a master bedroom, bathroom with a tub, and even a child’s room in what used to be the crew area.

How does it drive? “We maxed her out, out west, at about 85 mph, at the legal speed limit. It’s very happy at 62 mph, that’s where we get the best performance…it’s the same with the windows open or closed,” he said.  “I hope I inspire some kid just like I was inspired. I want people to realize that you don’t have to be a pilot or work for the FAA to be in aviation.”

Lucci's family owned business, Round Engine Aero, was founded in 1996 with the mission of finding vintage aircraft parts and getting them to mechanics, pilots, and restorers, to keep older airplanes flying. "We believe in being a part of aviation history by helping preserve it one piece at a time." That passion really shines through in the Fabulous Flamingo!

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