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| The P-51 had an 1800 HP Rolls Royce engine. It could reach speeds of 500 MPH |
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| This P-51 was restored with $2 million in donations |
What is nice about living in our section of Tallahassee is being near the airport. It is great for catching a ride to anywhere - but it also gives us a chance to see many different aircraft.
Yesterday I got to see the last operational P-51 of the famous black Tuskegee Airmen. It flies into Tallahassee every year as part of a program to educate the public and school children.
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first flying group of black airmen. They trained at Tuskegee University - just north of us near Auburn Alabama. What many people do not know is that after their basic flight training in Alabama - many of them came to Dale Mabry Field in Tallahassee to do their advanced training.
During World War II - these fighter pilots escorted bombers that were bombing Italy and Germany. Although the military was not yet integrated - most of the white bomber pilots requested the Tuskegee Airmen and their Red Tailed P-51's because they had the best record for protecting bombers. On the side of this plane it has the nickname "By Request" because of them being requested as the top protection.
The display which is at the airport until Saturday features a wonderful multi-media show in a traveling theatre. The show is free - as is a tour of the plane. For $2000 one can have a 30 minute personal flight in the plane.
Every now and then - unexploded bombs are found in the woods southwest of town. There were accidentally dropped during training here from 1942 to 1945.
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| The Red Tail was the trademark of the black fighters. |
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| The multi-media show in the traveling theatre was fantastic. |
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